Since the first steps of mobile technology with the emergence of 1G, networks have undergone an impressive evolution. Each new generation has not only increased the speed and capacity of data transmission, but has also opened new possibilities, changing the way we communicate and live. Today, we are on the threshold of a new revolution with the arrival of 5G, a technology that promises to radically transform our lives. But how did we get here and what makes 5G so special?
1G: The beginning of the mobile revolution
Before the advent of 1G, telephone calls went through manual switchboards, as shown in the “Las chicas del cable” series. This first generation of mobile networks, introduced in 1979 by Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (NTT) in Tokyo, ushered in a new era. With 1G, the first cellular communication network was established, covering geographical areas with low-power radio transmitters, enabling communication without the need for a physical connection between devices.
2G: The birth of digital communication
In 1991, the arrival of 2G with the GSM standard marked the first great leap towards digitalization. This new generation allowed greater bandwidth and speed, making possible the introduction of text messaging (SMS) and the first access to Internet services via WAP. 2G laid the foundations for mobile communication as we know it today, enabling more efficient and widespread connectivity.
3G: The takeoff of smartphones
3G arrived in Spain in 2002 with the UMTS standard, based on WCDMA, a breakthrough that allowed users to share time and frequency more efficiently. This generation brought with it the appearance of the first smartphones, devices that revolutionized the way we interact with the digital world. In addition, the quality of voice calls improved significantly, matching that of fixed networks, consolidating 3G as a fundamental technology in the evolution of mobile communications.
4G: Permanent connectivity
In 2011, 4G ushered in a new era of connectivity. With much higher speeds and a stability that allowed the development of applications such as WhatsApp, 4G enabled video calls and constant access to the internet from anywhere. This generation also boosted the use of online mobile payments, although latency began to be a challenge for the development of new applications that required real-time response.
5G: The new technological revolution
5G, which became available in Spain in 2019, promises to change everything once again. With the ability to connect a huge number of devices simultaneously, 5G offers much higher data transmission speeds and extremely low latency. Not only will this make our interactions on the network faster, but it will also open the door to new applications, from the internet of things (IoT) to autonomous driving and real-time telemedicine.
Although the full benefits of 5G are still some years away, the technology is already laying the groundwork for the future.
The evolution of mobile networks, from 1G to 5G, has been an impressive journey that has changed the way we communicate and live. Each new generation has surpassed the previous one in speed, capacity and capabilities, and 5G is no exception. At Centum we already know that we are facing a new technological revolution that is just beginning, how do you think 5G will revolutionize our daily lives?
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