Management Information Systems, 13TH ED.
MANAGING THE DIGITAL FIRM
Kenneth C. Laudon ● Jane P. Laudon
continued
Learning Track 3: Cellular System Generations
Cellular Generations
Wireless phone systems throughout the world are gradually moving toward much higher speeds
and capacities. is transition involves over $150 billion in worldwide investment by 2016 in what
are called 4G networks (fourth-generation cellular networks).
e first generation (1G) of cellular networks originating in the early 1980s were analog based.
ey supported voice communication and could only be used for data transfer with a proper
ird-generation (3G) cellular networks are based on packet–switched technology that achieves
greater eciencies and higher transmission speeds. 3G networks have speeds ranging from 144
Kbps for mobile users in, say, a car, to over 2 Mbps for stationary users. is is sucient transmis-
sion capacity for video, graphics, and other rich media, in addition to voice, making 3G networks
suitable for wireless broadband Internet access and always-on data transmission. If 3G networks
Chapter 7: Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology
Chapter 7 Learning Track 3 2
service called General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) transports data over GSM wireless networks
and improves wireless Internet access. 2.5G also improves data transmission rates for CDMA.
Table 7–2 summarizes these cellular generations.
TABLE 7-2 Wireless Cellular Generations
Generation Capacity Description
1G Low Analog cellular networks for voice com-
munication
2.5G 50–144 Kbps Interim step toward 3G in the United
States
3G 144 Kbps—2+ Mbps fixed High-speed, mobile, supports video and