5g and 2g

Last updated on Dec 27, 2023

Let's delve into the technical aspects of both 5G and 2G.

1. Technology & Evolution:

Frequency Band: Primarily operates in the 850 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, and 1900 MHz bands.
Modulation Technique: Typically used GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) which employed a combination of Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) and Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) techniques.
Data Speeds: Initially, 2G provided digital voice services and introduced text messaging. Data speeds were relatively slow, typically ranging from 9.6 kbps to 64 kbps.
Key Features: Apart from voice calls and SMS, 2G introduced features like caller ID, call waiting, and basic data services such as SMS.

2. Core Components:

Base Transceiver Station (BTS): Responsible for the transmission and reception of radio signals.
Mobile Switching Center (MSC): Central component that switches calls between mobile users, and between mobile and other fixed or mobile networks.
Home Location Register (HLR): Database that contains details of each subscriber.
Visitor Location Register (VLR): Database that temporarily stores details of subscribers roaming outside their home network.

3. Security:

2G introduced the use of SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) cards for authentication.
The encryption used in 2G is considered weak by today's standards, making it vulnerable to interception.

1. Technology & Evolution:

Frequency Band: Utilizes a wider range of frequency bands, including low (sub-1 GHz), mid (1-6 GHz), and high (above 6 GHz) bands.
Modulation Technique: Employs advanced modulation techniques such as Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) and massive MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) for improved efficiency and capacity.
Data Speeds: Offers significantly higher data speeds, potentially reaching up to 10 Gbps or even more, depending on the specific configuration and conditions.
Key Features: Besides enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) services, 5G also aims to provide ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC) and massive machine-type communications (mMTC) for IoT applications.

2. Core Components:

Radio Access Network (RAN): Comprises gNodeB (next-gen base stations) responsible for radio signal transmission and reception.
Core Network (CN): Evolved Packet Core (EPC) is replaced by the 5G Core (5GC), offering improved flexibility, scalability, and support for various services.
Network Functions: Includes elements like Network Function Virtualization (NFV), Software-Defined Networking (SDN), and edge computing to enhance network capabilities and efficiency.

3. Security:

5G incorporates improved security mechanisms, including enhanced encryption algorithms and authentication protocols.
Features like network slicing allow for isolated and secure network segments tailored for specific services or applications.

Speed & Capacity: 5G offers significantly higher data speeds, reduced latency, and increased capacity compared to 2G.
Technology & Architecture: 5G introduces a more advanced and flexible architecture, leveraging technologies like MIMO, OFDM, and SDN.
Use Cases: While 2G primarily focused on voice and basic data services, 5G aims to support a wide range of applications, including IoT, augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and critical communications.