Both 2 G and 5 G are cellular networks used by people. 2 G was first introduced in the year 1993. And the most recent cellular network is 5 G which was introduced in the year 2018. The alphabet ‘G’ denotes the word Generation. Each of the networks of wireless broadband can be defined as a set of telephone network standards that helps in describing the technical implementation of the wireless network broadband system. There is no doubt in accepting the fact that in the last decade, the importance and need of the cellular network and use of mobiles as increased phenomenally.
2 G vs 5 G
The main difference between 2 G and 5 G is that the first one has a bandwidth of 25 MHz whereas the latter one has a bandwidth ranging from 30 GHz to 300 GHz. 2 G was introduced in the year 1933, whereas 5 G was introduced in the year 2018. The internet service used by the first one was called Narrowband, whereas the service used by 5 G is Wireless World Wide Web.
2 G is the short form of the term, Second Generation of Cellular Network. The networks for the same were launched by the GSM standard, which is situated in Finland, Radiolinja, in the year 1991. After this network was launched automatically, the previously existing network was given the name 1G or First Generation of Cellular Network.
5 G or as its full form suggests, Fifth Generation for the cellular network, technology standard, began developing in the year 2019 and spreading worldwide. Though 4G is still the most widely used network at present, still 5 G is the strongest one available. It is predicted that, but the year 2025, approximately 1.7 million people will be subscribed to the 5 G network.
Comparison Table Between 2 G and 5 G
| Parameters of Comparison | 2 G | 5 G |
| Year of Introduction | 1993 | 2018 |
| Internet Service used | Narrowband | Wireless World Wide Web |
| Application one gets | Voice calling and short messaging. | High-resolution video streaming, remote control of vehicles. |
| Technology Used | GSM | MIMO and mm Waves. |
| Bandwidth range | 25 MHz | 30 GHz to 300 GHz |
What is 2 G?
2 G cellular network has a plethora of advantages over its predecessors. It evidently uses the radio frequency spectrum more efficiently, and that also enabling more users in each of the bands. 2 G helped the users to get data services for their mobiles and enable them to send SMS texts.
With the help of 2 G, the networks qualified to provide various services like textual messages, Multimedia messages, picture messages. The most common and well-known 2 G device and service was TDMA, or as it stands for time-division multiple access.
The data-providing speed is kbps. It used a bandwidth that had a range between 30 kHz to 200 kHz.
It used digital signals instead of analogs, and hence this development improved the performance. During the phase when 2 G was used, the cellular devices or mobiles were used for both voices as well as data.
2 G helped in achieving a very crucial stepping stone in the world of technology, i.e., allowing multiple users on a single platform with the help of multiplexing.
The 2 G network or as known as the Second Generation cellular network, was based on GSM. After 2 G came 3 G or the third generation.
What is 5 G?
5 G started spreading through the globe in the year 2019, and it was the successor of 4 G. The devices that uses the fifth Generation network is said to have internet as well as telephone connection with the help of radio waves. It has the maximum bandwidth as compared to any of the cellular networks which ever existed. Due to this increased size, the download speed has increased phenomenally.
It is a digital cellular network for which the area on which it is transmitted is divided into small geographical areas to enhance performance. The peak speed of 5 G is 10 Gbps, wherein in the case of 4 G, it was just 1 Gbps. The average speed of 5 G as recorded is 400 Mbps. The access system which is used by the network is called OFDM and BDMA.
5 G was first introduced in the year 2018. The best advantage of this network is that it has high speed and a very low rate of latency. The technology which is used for the latter is MIMO and mm Waves.
The switch type which is used for this network is called Packet Switching. And the internet service which is used by the network is Wireless World Wide Web.
Main Differences Between 2 G and 5 G
- The year of introduction of 2 G was in the year 1993. Whereas 5 G was introduced in the year 2018.
- The Internet Service used by 2 G was called Narrowband, whereas the internet service used by 5 G is called Wireless World Wide Web.
- The applications one gets to while using 2 G are Voice calling and short messaging. Whereas the applications one gets while using 5 G are High-resolution video streaming, remote control of vehicles, etc.
- The technology which is used by 2 G is GSM, whereas the technology used by 5 G is called MIMO and mm Waves.
- The bandwidth of 2 G is 25 MHz, whereas the bandwidth range of 5 G is 30 GHz to 300 GHz.
Conclusion
The increase in the use of cellular networks and the increased demand for having a network that has a high speed, low latency, and a smooth, disruption-free network has become the need of the hour. The objective of improving the networks is to enhance wireless communications in order to provide reliable communications and high quality, just like the ones people got while using wired communication. Each improved and new generation of wireless networks represents enhancement and improvement and is one step closer to the main goal.
2 G was first introduced in the year 1993, whereas 5 G was deployed over the globe in the year 2018. During this gap period, there has been commendable enhancement and improved wireless networks.
References
- https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/7024797/
- https://www.igi-global.com/chapter/evolution-technologies-standards-deployment-networks/17444