Difference Between 2G and 3G Technology
In Wireless communication, 2G denotes the second generation technology and 3G denotes the third. As we all know, the demand for fast communication has increased to its maximum level, resulted in several standards for mobile communication. Among all the mobile technologies, 2G and 3G are the most dominant standards which has revolutionize the industry of mobile communication in past years. Both the standards are emphasized on many targets and resulted in many new technologies.
2G (GSM) Technology
2G is also known as the Global System for Mobile communication which is the first step towards the digital wireless communication over the analog mobile communication prevailing. 2G technology standards was introduced in 1991 and from that a huge number of consumers has grown. This technology is the father of SIM (subscriber Identity Mobile) and it introduced and enhanced a secured and clear communication mode in the mobile industry. GSM technology has been widely adopted all over the globe and in today’s world most of the are of the globe is covered with GSM technology. GSM introduced a multiple number of techniques, TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) and FDMA (Frequency Division Multiple Access) are the most valuable techniques that GSM introduced. TDMA and FDMA helped subscribers to make calls at a given time frame. GSM also introduced the Cell concept, each cell is responsible to cover a small area. There also are some standards for allocating bandwidth per user.
3G Technology
3G technology is the mobile standard specification which are compatible with the IMT (International Mobile
Telecommunications-2000) specs to support multimedia. The data rates under GSM’s air interface aren’t good enough to give high quality performance to multimedia applications under mobile phones, 3G specifications were released and has given various advanced technology options to provide multimedia application performance. 3G technology has supported applications like location based services, video streaming, high speed internet and video calls. Japan in 2001 launched the very first commercial 3G network.
Some basic difference between 2G and 3G Technologies are
- 2G is the GSM specification intended for providing mobile communication for voice and 3G is the specification for mobile communication with enhanced capabilities for mobile users other than voice.
- GSM air interface data rate is 270Kbps and 3G allows a minimum of 2Mbps downlink in stationary mobile and 384Kbps while moving.
- GSM uses TDMA and FDMA for multiple access technology and 3G utilizes variations of CDMA technology like WCDMA, CDMA2000, CDA2000 1X EV-DO.
- A5 ciphering algorithm is used in 2G and a more secured KASUMI encryption is used in 3G mobile communication.