Mobile (Cellular) Technologies Explained
By Sameer Sagar
It’s hard to keep up with the 2Gs and the 4Gs and the XLTEs of the
world. This primer will review the basics of mobile phone network
technologies.
Technologies
Cellular technology is what mobile phone networks are based on, and
it’s the technology that gave mobile phones the name “cell phones”.
Cellular technology basically refers to having many small
interconnected transmitters as opposed to one big one.
The other main concept of cellular technology was that they were
“multiple access”, meaning that they placed multiple voice or data
connections into a single radio channel.
GSM
GSM is the original 2G standard launched in 1991. It was the first
major deployment to use encryption, and now enjoys over 90%
marketshare and penetration into around 220 countries
The GSM protocol was initially based on time division, meaning
calls take turns using the radio signal
The 3G rollout of GSM actually used the competing technology
(CDMA, see below)
GSM is the worldwide option, with CDMA being mostly a United
States thing
It’s easier to travel with GSM phone
GSM phones allow you to simply switch SIM cards and use another
GSM device, whereas CDMA phones require you to register your
device itself with the network
More of the world is covered in GSM, but it’s bad in rural locations
compared to CDMA (this is why Verizon had better coverage in the
U.S. for so long)
CDMA
CDMA is mostly a U.S. thing, as most of the world is GSM
CDMA is based on encoding multiple connections with different
keys and then decoding them on the receiving end
Two main carriers are CDMA-based: Verizon, and Sprint
You’ve traditionally been unable to talk and use data on CDMA
networks at the same time, but this is increasingly becoming less
true now (in 2014)
Better rural coverage, which is good for for large places like the
United States, but less overall coverage worldwide
1G
This was the first generation of GSM, and it was an analog technology.
2G
2G stands for “second generation”, and the nG designation continues
that onto 4G that exists today.
2G was digital (rather than analog)
2G introduced encryption
There were GSM and CDMA versions of 2G
3G
Introduced higher transfer rates, up to 200 kbit/sec, and later
versions could achieve multiple megabits per second.
4G
The major advance of 4G is mobile broadband internet services
provided to external systems, such as laptops, wireless modems, etc.
HSPA (High Speed Packet Access)
HSPA is a merge of two technologies:
High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA)
High Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA)
LTE
Stands for Long Term Evolution
Often called 4G LTE
Increases bandwidth available for voice and data communications
by using a different radio interface combined with a number of
network improvements
It’s the upgrade path for both GSM and CDMA based networks
AWS
Advanced Wireless Services
Also referred to as UMTS band IV
Uses microwave frequencies in two segments: from 1710 to 1755
MHz for uplink, and from 2110 to 2155 MHz for downlink
XLTE
Provides a minimum of double the bandwidth of LTE
XLTE ready devices automatically access both the 700 Mhz and the
AWS spectrum in XLTE cities
Lead by Verizon in 2014
VoLTE
VoLTE is a voice technology that works over the LTE data
connection rather than 3G voice bands
It has extremely high voice quality (like they’re right next to you)
VoLTE will require that both participants are using VoLTE and are
in VoLTE enabled areas
Also includes the ability to make video calls
Wi-Fi Calling
Wi-Fi calling lets you call to a phone number over the internet
It’s different from VoLTE because with VoLTE the calls are going
over the phone company’s network
Also promises the ability to swap seamlessly between Wi-Fi and
wireless phone networks
Summary
GSM came before CDMA
GSM is the global technology
CDMA is better for large, rural areas, and was adopted by Verizon
and Sprint in the United States
CDMA has traditionally not been able to do voice and data at the
same time
GSM has been able to do simultaneous voice and data since 3G
GSM authenticates SIM cards
CDMA authenticates the device itself
GSM is better for world travelers
LTE brought very high bandwidth to mobile devices, hotspots, and
peripherals
XLTE is faster LTE
VoLTE sends voice data over the data portion of the phone
connection, and is like voice quality
Wi-Fi calling lets you route regular phone calls over a wi-fi
connection, and will let you swap back and forth between internet
and your phone network.
