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These evolutions let mobile phone users browse the internet with theoretical maximum speeds of up to 48kbits/s to 300kbits/s, respectively. Its generational evolutions also brought about 2.5G General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) and 2.75G EDGE, which enhanced data usage. Thirdly, it’s the first generation to offer actual data services on mobile phones.Īpart from simple texts, 2G enabled users to send picture messages and multimedia messages (MMS). Second, it enabled this technology to be more widely available as it efficiently used the radio frequency it was set on. First, this generation started making phone calls and texts encrypted, making things more secure for the user. Like the very first generation of mobile networks, 2G lets phone users make calls and send texts with other mobile phone users.Īpart from this, 2G, of course, added some more features. The first cellular data network technology iteration many of us might be familiar with is the second generation or 2G, which initially launched in 1991. Here are just some of the cellular data network technology generations we’ve used in the last couple of decades. We’ve gone through many iterations and generations of mobile network technology, with each generation improving upon many features from its predecessors. As simple cellular phones evolved to today’s smartphones, and as our needs changed from simple calls and texts to connecting to the internet, cellular network technology has managed to adapt. The world has been using cellular data network technology for decades now, and there are no signs that it’ll stop soon. ©Photo by Fabricio Macedo FGMsp on Pixabay History of Cellular Data Networks Ultimately, as long as your mobile network carrier has cell towers that cover a certain area, cellular data remains to be available to you. One cell covers certain geographical areas, and these cells overlap to effectively transmit your data and have a wider reach.
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The data you send or receive through a mobile network is transmitted to or from a central hub or station known as cells.
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To enable a wireless connection, cellular data technology lets it communicate with other devices through certain radio frequencies. While the technicalities of cellular data technology may be a bit difficult to memorize, the overall concept of how it works is easy to understand. While the modern-day use of cellular data is starting to lean more toward connecting to the internet, cellular network technology is the one that originally enables us to have calls or send texts wirelessly. Generally, cellular or mobile data is the technology that lets you connect wirelessly using cell towers that transmit and receive radio signals. So, you don’t have to worry about running out of your data allotment if you’re connected to the internet via WiFi. Though they both use radio frequencies, their connections are independent of each other. While both of these use radio waves, WiFi covers a limited area and cellular data, on the other hand, lets you connect as long as you’re in a geographical area covered by your mobile network carrier.ĭoes WiFi use cellular data? The simple answer is no. There are usually two ways you can connect to the internet: WiFi network or cellular data.
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©Photo by Republica on Pixabay What Is Cellular Data?
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