The Difference Between 3G and 4G Explained…Sort Of

This entry was posted by PhoneFreak Friday, 1 July, 2011
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With several cell phone service providers unveiling their next generation of network, it begs the question: What’s the difference between the titles of 3G and 4G? Who defines what these levels are, when they’re reached, and who reaches them? The 4G Android phone Samsung Exhibit offered by T-Mobile, for example, is just one of many devices tagged as being on the fourth generation of mobile networks, but some argue that assertion is false. It’s essential customers know what the “G” means, and whether or not it’s a significant factor for determining which phone to buy.

When mobile phones entered the digital age back in the early 2000s there was a call for a way to separate these new devices from conventional phones operating on analog networks. This was achieved by separating the analog generation of cellular phones, “1G”, from the new line of more computer-like cell phones, “2G”. This was decided by an agency of the UN: the International Telecommunications Union’s Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R). The eventual separation of 3G from 2G was based on amplified speeds and safety measures. This occurred when phones and networks started providing users with more computerized experiences like web browsing and file sharing.

The difference between 3G and the latest generation 4G was decided based on the same factors. According to the ITU-R users of 4G networks should be able to connect at at least 400Mbit/s when traveling at high speeds such as on a train and in a car and at least 1Gbit/s when motionless or walking. Security they advise security be amped up as well. Besides that, very little separates a 3G network from a 4G one.

A select number of individuals are targeting companies like T-Mobile and AT&T with claims that companies are selling phones that are labeled as being part of fictional 4G networks. In particular these critics claim that mobile service providers are using amped up versions of their 3G networks and labeling them 4G. The abovementioned ITU-R is of no administrative assistance – they aren’t a overriding authority of any kind and don’t have any power to declare that a company is providing true 4G or not. 3G and 4G are simply rough guidelines of speed, and nothing to be determined in such a strict way.

Which is why folks need to stop fretting about whether or not they’re getting “real” 4G or not. These differentials are in many ways simply made-up. These are just easy ways to define speed, and not much else. If a service provider says your phone will reach speeds that approach or surpass 4G standards, it pretty much is, and if the speeds don’t reach these levels, then it’s not. It’s as simple as that.

So that means you, the customer, need to recognize that 2G, 3G, 4G et cetera are just easy advertising terms that are used by companies easily inform the public they have fast phones Whether your potential phone is actually faster or not is up to you to research. Use the ITU-R guidelines, but always see for yourself first before making your purchase.

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