What is the G in telecom or mobile technology?
2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, and 6G are generations of mobile technology that differ in speed, latency, and spectrum. The “G” stands for “generation.”
| Speed | Latency | Spectrum | Applications | |
| 2G | Low data rates, mostly for voice | Relatively high latency | Primarily in the sub-1 GHz range | Voice calls, basic messaging |
| 3G | Up to 2 Mbps | Reduced latency compared to 2G | Utilized a mix of frequency bands | Mobile internet, video calling |
| 4G | Up to 1 Gbps | Low latency (around 30 ms) | Includes both sub-1 GHz and higher frequency bands | High-speed data, multimedia applications |
| 5G | Up to 10 Gbps | Ultra-low latency (1 ms or less) | Extends to millimeter-wave frequencies | Enhanced mobile broadband, IoT, critical communication, augmented reality, virtual reality |
| 6G | Operates at higher frequencies than 5G | Operates at the frequency range 95 GHz to 3 THz |
Latency refers to the delay between when a user takes an action on a network or web application and when they get a response. Another latency definition is the total time or “round trip” needed for a packet of data to travel.
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Additional Information
IBM: What is 5G, Case Studies