Information About Mobile Broadband Technology

Table of Contents

1. Mobile Broadband Network Technologies
2. Mobile Broadband Performance

This article offers definitions for Mobile Broadband technologies and explains the differences between them.

Mobile Broadband Network Technologies

The technology a cellular phone data network provider uses can be divided into two groups and are not compatible with each other. Each new leap in speed is called a new generation (G). 3G Networks
The highest performing technology available, 3G networks are best for multimedia activities such as downloading and enjoying movies and music and for sending and receiving large amounts of data such as documents and presentation files. Although there are many 3G networks available today, HSDPA and EVDO are the most common.

2G Networks
The first digital network and quickly replaced the first generation of Analog networks shortly after they were introduced. Even though a few 2G networks have improved their speed, most 2G networks are used specifically for dedicated functions such as messaging, browsing and e-mail services.

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Mobile Broadband Performance

The higher the downlink speed the faster data is received. Uplink speed is important as well but is not as noticeable as differences in downlink speed. The information you usually upload to the internet is normally a small amount, such as a web address or search phrase. The information you normally download is much larger, such as loading a web page's text, images and video into your browser.
Since the fastest transmissions are not available in all areas, the adapter will attempt to connect using the fastest technology available. Mobile Broadband 3G Technology Networks

Table 1 - Mobile Broadband 3G Technology Networks

Mobile Broadband 2G Technology Networks

Table 2 - Mobile Broadband 2G Technology Networks

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