RadioShack's Guide to Wireless Telecommunications

Comparison Chart

The five charts below quickly compare the differences between the generations of wireless telecommunications. Each chart covers a different aspect of the standards:

	Dates	Cool New Features
1G	70's to 80's	Wireless phones (cellular) are introduced, primarily for voice only.
2G	90's to 2000	Increased performance achieved by allowing multiple users on a single channel. More and more cellular phones are used for data as well as voice.
2.5G	2001-2004	The Internet turns the focus towards data transmission. Enhanced multimedia and streaming video are now possible. Phones support limited web browsing.
3G	2004-2005	Enhanced multimedia and streaming video capabilities are increased. Standards are created to allow universal access and portability across different device types (Telephones, PDA's, etc.)
4G	2006+	Speeds reach up to 40 Mbps. Enhanced multimedia, streaming video, access and portability are increased still further. Devices are equipped for world-wide roaming.

		Data Rate
1G		9.6 Kbps to 14.4 Kbps
2G	D-AMPS	9.6 Kbps to 14.4 Kbps
	GSM	9.6 Kbps to 14.4 Kbps
	IS95A	9.6 Kbps to 14.4 Kbps
	IS95B	115 Kbps
2.5G		56 Kbps to 144 Kbps
3G	UMTS	2+ Mbps, up to 384 Kbps
	WCDMA	384 Kbps (wide area access), 2 Mbps (local area access)
	CDMA2000	614 Kbps
4G		20-40 Mbps