In 2019, a new cellular standard was launched with 5G. There are now five standards for wireless data transmission. They perform different tasks and perform different amounts. In this article you can read which standards these are and how you can find out which ones you use.
Five generations of mobile communications
With the help of cellular networks, data is transmitted - for example for making calls, chatting or surfing the Internet. There are different stages of development of mobile communications: The generations or standards. The generations 3G (UMTS), 4G (LTE) and 5G, the latest version, are particularly well known. The first generation of mobile communications was still the analog cable network, which could only be used to make phone calls.
The second generation (2G), which could also be used to send SMS, was introduced in the early 1990s. This included the GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) system, with which data could be transmitted constantly. But that took a long time, which is why GSM was first expanded with the service GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) and later with Edge, which could transfer data faster. From the year 2000 mobile surfing on the Internet was also possible with the 3G standard..
But just because 5G is currently the most up-to-date mobile communications standard doesn't mean that this won't change again anytime soon. The federal government has already invested 700 million euros in 6G - an introduction is planned for 2030.
Every generation improves data transmission
In addition to the transmission speed, the network coverage and capacity improve with each new generation, so that there are fewer dead spots and more devices can use the network. The latency period is also steadily improving. That is the reaction time of the network - for example the time that elapses between clicking on a link and loading the website..
In mobile communications, data is transmitted by radio, i.e. by means of electromagnetic waves. There are various frequencies that the Federal Network Agency will auction off to mobile phone providers. For example, Telekom, Vodafone, O2 and 1 & 1 Drillisch have bought the frequencies of the new 5G generation of mobile communications. These operate the cellular network and develop the infrastructure for it.
You use this cellular standard
Which cellular standard you use depends on the type of cellular contract you have, what your smartphone is designed for and which standard is available at your location. Your smartphone then selects the best standard in each case. Which that is is usually shown at the top of the status bar next to the bars that show the quality of the network.
You can see which cellular standard you are currently using in the status bar on your smartphone. The mobile data must be switched on for this. The designations G, GPRS, o and E belong to different development stages of 2G. On the other hand, 3G, H, 3.5G, 3G + and H + belong to 3G. However, these will soon no longer be visible: The UMTS network will be shut down by the operators Telekom, Telefónica and Vodafone in 2021 in order to be able to use the frequencies for 4G and 5G. Your smartphone probably shows 4G, LTE, 4G +, LTE-A and LTE + most often - all variants of 4G.
