- 1st Generation (1G) systems used analogue radio technologies. 2nd Generation (2G) services replaced this during the 1990s, updating the analogue radio networks to digital radio networks. 3G is not such a straight forward generational change. 3G rather than revolutionizing the services like its predecessor did, evolves on the 2G technology, while still maintaining the digital radio networks.
- 3G devices are backwards compatible with 2G networks. When you are using a 3G device in a 2G area, you can only use the 2G services available, so certain features and benefits will not be used. 3G technology (as of June 2010) can offer up to 14 Mbit/s download speed and 5.8 Mbit/s upload speed. These speeds are dependent on full network coverage.
- 3G technology, unlike 2G or 2.5G technology, features capabilities for audio speech and data services concurrently. 3G allows a mobile device to authenticate with the 3G network which adds security that was missing with earlier technology standards.
- NTT DoCoMo launched the first non-commercial (May 2001) and commercial (October 2001) 3G services in Japan. SK Telecom launched in January 2002 in South Korea, with KT launching a rival service layer that year. The Isle of Man, in December 2001, launched Europe's first non-commercial service. Commercial services were first launched March 2003. Monet Mobile Networks launched the first 3G network in the U.S., followed by Verizon in 2003. By the end of 2007, 190 3G networks operated worldwide.
- Certain telecommunications technologies have begun using the term 4G unofficially. This includes 3GPP's Long term Evolution and 3GPP2's Ultra Mobile Broadband. These technologies are in fact just evolutions on 3G standards. The ITU is currently researching and developing IMT-Advanced which will define the 4G standards and technologies.
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