Evolution of Wireless

Evolution of Wireless: Brief Historical Overview

True mobile technology has been around for roughly 20 years now. However, there is still a very high level of innovation in what should be a very mature market. The history (leading up to today) of mobile communication can be broken down into three generations of innovation. Today we are approaching the third generation (3G), but as you will see, the lines between wireless and mobility are beginning to blur making the future generation of technology very interesting.

1G: (Cellular Analog) The true origins of mobile communications begin in analog cellular systems. In these systems, a series of cell towers would cover an area allowing the user to move between cells while being allocated a certain sliver of the spectrum to complete the call. These types of phones and communications systems have be known as the first generation systems or 1G.

2G: (small bandwidth digital) For this examination, however, we will focus only on the digital transmission standards that work on the RF spectrum. These new systems have become known as 2G and 3G systems. Second Generation (2G) systems are what we use most frequently today. They are categorized as systems that are digital in nature, have the ability to transfer data as well as voice, but are still a too low a bandwidth to make high levels of data transfer a very practical option. Some innovations have been made within the 2G space allowing for broader bandwidth capabilities such as always-on access and Multimedia transfers. Since these are still relatively small leaps in bandwidth they have been classified as 2.5G

3G: (Medium-High Bandwidth Digital) Third Generation (3G) mobile technologies are characterized as devices with relatively high bandwidth data capabilities. (2Mbps fixed, 384kbps urban/pedestrian, 144Kbps wide area network). These are supposed to have very large capacity for full video and audio messaging. However, it does not approach the bandwidth levels of Wi-Fi or WiMax, meaning that it’s hold on the mobile market may be very short lived if manufacturers decide to conform to the higher wireless standards.

3G is enabled to carry data, voice, text and graphics, in real-time or as stored information. And it is the prospect of real-time interactivity, which poses the richest opportunity for content providers and advertisers alike.

Using 3G services, activities such as web navigation will much easier. Using a 3G-enabled device with voice recognition, for example, users need only to speak their favorite sites to navigate. That, plus color display screens with touch sensors, and the ability to recognize handwriting or finger prints, will make the concept of an all-in-one portal that much more realistic and believable.

In addition to the consumer applications, the most significant benefits to providing 3G content are the VAS (value-added services). A multitude of services, such as multimedia messaging, financial transactions, news and information delivery, as well as location-based content, will all need to be advanced and useful, if VAS is to be successful. Most importantly, the services will need to be simple, consistent and economical (philips.com).

From a consumer-benefit point of view, 3G will enable advanced, lightweight, easy-to-use wireless devices, such as web-surfing mobile phones, that are designed with familiar and intuitive interfaces. These devices will provide instant, real-time multimedia, global mobility and roaming, high-speed e-mail and Internet access, as well as software downloading.

Therefore, 3G can provide access to the Internet that's specifically styled to be wireless. Additionally, 3G makes it possible for users to transmit animated images, voice, and data.

Essentially, in order to do this, 3G provides data transmission speeds of up to 144Kbps in a high-speed moving environment (driving), 384Kbps in a low-speed moving environment (walking), and 2Mbps in a stationary environment (sitting).