What is Cellular Networking?

Cellular Connections

Cellular networking is a type of wireless communication that uses radio waves to transmit data between mobile devices and cell towers. It is the most widely used type of wireless communication and is used for voice and data services such as text messaging, internet access, and phone calls.

What are the various types of Cellular / Mobile Connections?

3G network

A 3G network is a third–generation mobile telecommunications network. It is a type of mobile network that uses the latest technology to provide faster data speeds and better coverage than previous generations of mobile networks. 3G networks are capable of providing high–speed internet access, video streaming, and other services.

  • 3G (G stands for Generation)
  • First internet access on cell phones and has a low speed.
  • Two standards (in kbps range of throughput):
  • CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) used in the US, by encoding various sessions into a certain set of frequencies.
  • GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) used in in Europe and other regions.
  • A mobile phone that operates in CDMA can’t be carried over to a GSM network and vise versa.

4g network

4G is a mobile network technology that provides high–speed wireless internet access. It is the fourth generation of mobile network technology, succeeding 3G. 4G networks offer faster data speeds than 3G networks, allowing users to access the internet, stream videos, and download large files more quickly. 4G networks also offer improved coverage and reliability compared to 3G networks.

  • 4G (faster than 3G)
  • Two competing standards:
  • LTE (Long Term Evolution) designed to evolve over time
  • LTE able to deliver 300 Mbps.
  • LTE Advanced, backwards compatible with LTE phones, deliver 600 Mbps.
  • LTE Advanced Pro deliver approximately a Gbps.
  • WiMAX deliver 4G technology in a different way than LTE.

5g network

5G is the fifth generation of cellular network technology. It is a new global wireless standard after 1G, 2G, 3G, and 4G networks. 5G enables a new kind of network that is designed to connect virtually everyone and everything together including machines, objects, and devices. 5G networks are expected to have significantly higher speeds and capacity than previous generations, with peak data rates of up to 20 Gbps and latency as low as 1 millisecond. 5G networks will also be more efficient, allowing more devices to connect to the same network and use less power. 5G networks will also be more secure, with improved encryption and authentication protocols.

  • 5G (faster than 4G)
  • Deliver up 20 Gbps throughput
  • In early rollout stage (different carriers are rolling it out in different ways) so we can not accurately measure the speed but at least it's double speed as 4G.