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2g 3g 4g 5g frequency bands

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The evolution of cellular networks from 2G to 5G has brought about significant advancements in terms of data speed, latency, and connectivity. One of the crucial aspects of these advancements is the frequency bands used for communication. Let's delve into each generation's frequency bands.

2G (Second Generation):

Frequency Bands:

  1. GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) 900: Operates around the 900 MHz frequency band.
  2. GSM 1800 (DCS - Digital Cellular System): Operates around the 1800 MHz frequency band in some regions.

Technical Details:

  • 2G primarily utilized the Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) and Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) techniques.
  • The modulation technique used was mainly Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying (GMSK).

3G (Third Generation):

Frequency Bands:

  1. UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System): Uses the 2100 MHz band for Uplink and Downlink.
  2. CDMA2000: There are multiple bands ranging from 800 MHz to 2100 MHz based on region and specific deployments.

Technical Details:

  • 3G introduced wider bandwidths and faster data transfer speeds.
  • It implemented packet-switched network architectures like IP-based services.
  • Supports high-speed data, video calls, and mobile internet access.

4G (Fourth Generation):

Frequency Bands:

  1. LTE (Long Term Evolution): Various bands like 700 MHz (Band 12), 800 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2600 MHz, and more, depending on region and carrier.

Technical Details:

  • 4G brought significant improvements in data speed, latency, and capacity.
  • Utilizes Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) modulation techniques.
  • Advanced MIMO (Multiple Input, Multiple Output) antenna technologies introduced for improved data rates and capacity.
  • It supports services like IP telephony, ultra-broadband access, gaming services, and more.

5G (Fifth Generation):

Frequency Bands:

  1. Sub-6 GHz Bands: Includes frequencies below 6 GHz, such as 600 MHz, 2.5 GHz, 3.5 GHz, and others.
  2. mmWave (millimeter Wave) Bands: These are high-frequency bands, including 24 GHz, 28 GHz, 39 GHz, and more.

Technical Details:

  • 5G is designed to provide ultra-fast data rates, extremely low latency, and massive connectivity.
  • Uses advanced technologies like massive MIMO, beamforming, and dynamic spectrum sharing.
  • Introduces network slicing, allowing different services to operate on the same physical network infrastructure.
  • The use of higher frequency mmWave bands allows for faster data rates but with shorter range; hence, it requires more base stations for coverage.