2G means second-generation mobile technology.

Commercial launch of 2G cellular telecommunications networks happened in Finland during the year 1991. The technology is based on the GSM standard. The creation of 2G networks improved on the telecommunication industry in 3 ways. The first improvement is that the conversations were digitally encrypted. The second improvement is characterized by the increased network spectrum. The third improvement was the introduction of text messaging.

All technologies that appeared before the 2G technology are considered 1^st generation or 1G technology. Radio signals used in 1G telephone networks were analog. This improved with the digital radio signals used in 2G. The similarity between the two telephony technologies is the use of digital signaling to facilitate communication of the telephone system with the radio towers.

The 2G technology has better privacy as compared to those under 1G. Mobile calls made under the 2^nd generation are more difficult to eavesdrop with radio scanners making 2G mobile phones immensely more private than its predecessors. The calls made during the 1^st generation have very limited protection against eavesdropping.

2G technologies are divided among TDMA-based and CDMA-based that relies on the standards being used. The standards are IS-95 aka cdmaOne, PDC, IS-136 aka D-AMPS, and GSM.

Personal Communication Services or PCS are the US-given definition to the services that the 2G technology provides.

Mobile handsets in 2G use digital signals to communicate with towers which lead to 2 results. One result is the transmission of digital voice with greater success as compared to transmissions in 1G technology. The second result is the decrease in power usage because of the digital systems which makes the cells of 2G technologies smaller which directly results to a decline in expenses for cell tower equipment and infrastructure.

2.5G services are even more able to provide transfers with greater speeds. 3G technologies have already evolved and continuous efforts are done to get into 4G.

One of the Bluetooth profiles is called A2DP or Advanced Audio Distribution Profile. It is a mode used to stream audio such as streaming of music phones to headphones. The A2DP is different from the Headset and Handsfree profiles because it supports stereo audio. Instead of two-way streaming, A2DP only features one-way streaming.

The A2DP Bluetooth profile defines the streaming process of stereo and mono quality audios from a device to another powered by a Bluetooth connection. One good example is streaming of music from a mobile phone to a car audio setup or a wireless headset. Another example is streaming of music from a laptop or PC to a wireless headset.

The initial use of the technology was performed in the integration of an intermediate Bluetooth transceiver and the standard audio output jack. The technology was able to encode incoming audio into a format that the Bluetooth technology can understand. Then it sends a wireless signal to Bluetooth-capable headphones that will play the audio file.

Bluetooth headphones usually come with a microphone, especially those that are part of the advanced models of the technology. The headphones can support profiles such as handsfree, headset, video/audio remote control, and AVRCP.

Because the A2DP technology is more of a one-way technology, audio streaming with the use of the technology is intended for the purpose of moving music directly to the headset or car radio devices. The profiles that define this type of streaming are under the AVDTP and GADVP.

Other options supported by the A2DP are files in the MPEG-4, MPEG-2, MPEG-1 and ATRAC formats. There are instances when the A2DP is used as an extensible support to codecs like the apt-X.

The BlueZ in the Linux version 3.15 features the A2DP technology support. Instructions on the setup of the technology are found in the Bluez Wiki which is the official protocol stack of the Linux Bluetooth technology.

UMTS or Universal Mobile Telecommunications System is a mobile communications technology under the 3^rd Generation or 3G. The technology is designed to improve data broadcast speed getting up to 2 megabits per second.

The UMTS is among the emerging technologies in the turf of cellular phone telephony that makes it easier for users to perform traditional phone tasks like paging, making calls, and sending voice mails. New tools that are being added to the UMTS include web access, video viewing and text messaging.

The WCDMA powers the UMTS technology and these two are often used interchangeably.

UMTS has greater speed compared to some similar mobile phone technologies. The transfer rates for broadband information go up to as fast as 2 megabits per second which is suitable for movie downloading, video streaming, and even video conferencing.

UMTS benefits its users by allowing them to enjoy the functionality of the home workstation even with the use of mobile technology. The UMTS technology is a result of the combination between wireless and satellite cellular technology. The users are given the chance to explore all existing options and can transfer between Wi-Fi and Satellite connections without much difficulty.

The first live date of the technology as a network happened in Japan during the year 2001. After 2 years, Austria was able to come up with its own network. More countries developed their own UMTS networks including Europe, South Africa, and other African countries, and the United States.

The UMTS technology is built on the GSM standard. The GSM standard is used all over Europe and another 120 countries all over the different global continents. Another name for UMTS is 3GSM. However, it should be clear that the UMTS and GSM are not entirely compatible. This is why some phones are called “dual phones” that can operate under the GSM or UMTS technology.

3G or 3^rd Generation is called the International Mobile Telecommunications-2000 or IMT-2000 in professional terms. The International Telecommunication Union or ITU has given definition to a family of standards applicable to mobile telecommunications and referred to it as the 3G.

3G covers technologies under GSM EDGE, CDMA 2000, UMTS, DECT, and WiMAX. Wireless telephone lines, video calls, wireless data transfers and everything within the mobile handset environment are services under the 3^rd generation.

The difference of 3G from its predecessors, 2G and 2.5G, is that it can accommodate simultaneous use of data and speech services. Downlink rates reach up to 14.0 Mbit per second and the uplink rates reach up to 5.8 Mbit per second.

Network operators are given the chance to provide a wider range of advanced services with the help of 3G networks. At the same time, greater network capacity is achieved through improved spectrum in 3G networks.

The 3G standards have been defined by the ITU so that more diverse mobile applications can be continuously supported.

The GSM in 3G telephony is not limited to voice transfers only. Circuit-switched data transfers can be delivered at speeds reaching 14.4 Kbps at downlink. However, 3G supports mobile multimedia applications with the use of packet-switched data that has better spectrum efficiency and bandwidths.

When it comes to security, 3G networks are more secure than 2G networks. Before attaching to the network, the User Equipment authenticates the network to make sure that it is the intended and not an impersonator network.

3GPP and 3GPP2 are continuously making efforts to further extend and improve the 3G standards. These two are working on an all-IP network infrastructure using advanced wireless technologies such as MIMO.

Some currently developed features of the 3G display characteristics of the IMT-Advance or 4G which will be the successor of 3G in the near future. However, 4G bandwidth requirements of 1Gbit per second for stationary and 100Mbit per second for mobile operation is not yet achieved. This makes the technologies fall short of the 4G classification and more pushed towards being classified as the 3.9 G or Pre-4 G technologies.

HSCSD in unabbreviated terms is the High-speed circuit-switched data. It is the advanced generation for circuit-switched data. GSM mobile phone systems can make use of the HSCSD. The transmission rates occur with speeds of approximately 57.6 kilobits per second.

The presence of HSCSD is currently up to 25 countries with concentrations in Europe. It initially became popular during the early 21^st century where the technology started to show up in European countries in year 2000.

HSCSD is a standard protocol that allows use of multiple time slots during data transmission all working at the same time. The technology was designed to accommodate larger transmission capacity. The more time slots are used, the faster the transmission rates become. Every slot carries a bandwidth between 9.6 to 14.4 kilobits per second. Four maximum slots can be used at the same time which reaches to as fast as 57.6 kilobits per second of total transmission rate for every transaction.

The standard, however, cannot be used for voice transmissions but only for data transfer applications. Voice transmissions always take greater priority than data transfers. This means that there will be times when the HSCSD connection would not work to its full potential during voice transmissions. The reason behind it is that more slots are used for the voice applications.

HSCSD protocols are better than other protocol types on GSM handsets because it carries reliable data transfers. Because it is circuit-switched, sensitive transfers like video streaming can best benefit from the HSCSD transmission standard.

During HSCSD transfers, there is lesser interference from external sources. This is an advantage over other protocols and permits voice and data sessions to maintain better quality.

When it comes to cost, however, other protocols are more efficient. GPRS and other protocols are more popular with companies because they are cost efficient to build and the services are maintained at lower costs.

The mobile phone industry is changing in greater speed. Mobile phones are being introduced to the market on a regular basis. More and more technologies are released. We are currently at mobile technology’s 3^rd generation or 3G telephony. New and advanced features such as web browsing are made available to the 3G mobile society.

The continuous development of 3G telephony still relies on the observations and studies conducted in 2G technologies. 2G and 3G technologies are popular and widely used. The GPRS or General Packet Radio Service lies in the middle of 2G and 3G.

GPRS consists of a series of functionalities that users of the Global System for Mobile Communications or GSM mobile phones benefit from. The focus remains on data streaming and transfer. Because it is more advanced than 2G, some refer to it as the 2.5G. GPRS improved transmission rates such that the standard speed of 9.6 per second reaches 11.5 kilobits per second.

Multiple users can use GPRS. Transmission channels can be shared by different users because these channels are only opened when a transfer is in place. Not all users have the constant need to transfer data. This makes the GPRS technology efficient for data transfers.

GPRS includes features such as instant messaging, internet browsing, and email reception. And because these activities require intermittent data transfers, they are the best functionalities that benefit from a shared bandwidth capability that is provided in the GPRS technology.

Shared transmission that is part of the GPRS functionality is referred to as the packet switching. Other functionalities include video sharing, multimedia messaging, and location based web services. However, these activities require streaming of larger data and may allow slower transfer speed.

GPRS is usually related to the EDGE technology. The main disparity is the quicker transmission rates in EDGE matched with low bandwidth prices.

GPRS bridges the 2G and 3G mobile technologies. With GPRS, it is possible to use laptop computers as GSM devices in the presence of satellite or Wi-Fi internet access.

EDGE in unabbreviated terms is Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution or Environment. It is also known as Enhanced GPRS or EGPRS. Another name is IMT single carrier or IMT-SC. EDGE is the advanced 2G wireless network technology, as the name suggests. Note that the GSM is the 2^nd Generation or 2G commonly used for the technology that supports cellular phones.

While EDGE is considered an improvement of existing technology, it cannot be considered a 3^rd generation. This explains why it is popularly referred to as a 2.75G. EDGE technology improves data transmission rates in mobile phones operating under 2G. It is a backward-compatible technology that serves as an extension to the existing GSM standard.

EDGE is a 3G radio-technology. The deployment of the technology started early in 2003 and was spearheaded by the GSM network Cingular. At present, EDGE is being run by the United States network, AT&T.

Initial use of the EDGE technology was focused on wireless data transfers. Examples are picture sharing and video streaming. It was followed by other uses like internet browsing through mobile phone connection. EDGE has allowed the data transfers to increase GSM network speeds up to 4 times its original speed.

Blackberry and iPhone are examples of mobile handsets that have internet browser capabilities. The increase of invention and release of similar phones also increases the requirement for wireless data transfers. This makes EDGE an even more significant technology for GSM.

Any packet switched application can benefit from the EDGE technology. Connecting to the internet involves many data services that EDGE can support. Mobile users are given the option to browse with the use of mobile phones. Video services, multimedia transfers, and other data applications benefit from the technology’s increased data capacity.

Another good thing about the EDGE technology is that it does not require alterations in hardware and software for it to work in GSM core networks. The technology is widely supported by chip vendors in both GSM and WCDMA/HSPA industries.

Bluetooth is a technology named after a Danish king, Harald Bluetooth, who consolidated Denmark and areas in Norway during the 900s. Companies in Denmark and Norway have largely influenced the global telecommunications industry. The name was given to the technology in the effort to manifest such influence.

Bluetooth is a data transmission technology that does not require large amounts of electrical power. It does not demand user control to transmit data.  Bluetooth can limit transmission power to at least 1 miliwatt making it an ideal transmission technology for mobile battery operated electronic devices. Bluetooth devices recognize each other’s presence and they automatically communicate with each other without requiring user input.

There are only 2 things that the Bluetooth technology relies on. One of them is the radio frequency technology. The second one is the protocol software that will enable transmission of data between devices.

Devices that are Bluetooth capable can transmit data even when the other devices are not within sight of the sending or receiving user. A Bluetooth device will be able to communicate with another Bluetooth capable device for transfers even if they are located in separate rooms within a building.

The transmission of data is performed among different devices around specified rules and particular amount of data. Bluetooth capable devices can communicate with the least interference from other capable devices.

The principal transmission system in using the technology is low energy radio waves. The range of frequency goes from 2.402 GHz to 2.480. The international agreement for medical, industrial and scientific devices or ISM specifically reserved such frequency range.

Bluetooth is not only capable of a one-on-one data transfer. The technology can support communication up to 8 devices that are within the transmission radius. Simultaneous transfers among these devices can happen.

The most randomly chosen frequencies per second of transmission is 1600 different frequencies. This allows the Bluetooth devices to minimize the use of the same frequency. This will also decrease the interference time when a Bluetooth device overlaps with another device that is using same frequency.

Wi-Fi stands for wireless fidelity. This technology was released in 1997 and is widely used around the world. The system uses the 802.11 standard which is a standard developed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

Wi-Fi technology has common alternative spellings such as WiFi, Wifi, or wifi. The term Wi-Fi was initiated by a trade group that pushed for the commercialization of the internet technology. This trade group is the Wi-Fi alliance.

The purpose of Wi-Fi is to provide internet connection wirelessly with the use of wireless routers. Computers with Wi-Fi network cards can access the internet within the spectrum of a Wi-Fi network. The router connects to the internet with the help of a modem which is either cable or DSL. If the computer or device communicates with the router, internet access is achieved.

The estimated spectrum of a Wi-Fi access is 200 feet or 61 meters from the access point. However, it is suggested that a user remains within 100 feet or 30 meters to get good internet speed rates. Products are being manufactured and sold to users in the effort to boost the wireless signals of Wi-Fi networks to be able to extend its spectrum of coverage.

Wi-Fi networks can be open or closed. An open network provides internet access to anyone. A closed network requires a password so that a user can access the network.

The “wireless hotspot” refers to the area covered by the Wi-Fi wireless access. More cities are continuously making efforts in developing huge wireless hotspots as cities in themselves. San Francisco, Portland, and Philadelphia are some of the cities that have successfully made internet access widely available throughout the cities. Internet service can be given for free through the support of advertisements. Ad-free internet service is sometimes made available for a small internet fee.

The Wi-Fi technology uses radio communications with 2.4 GHz frequency. Wi-Fi certified electronics are guaranteed to communicate through the internet without having to be compatible in terms of brand. This internet technology is deliberately suitable for mobile and lightweight electronic devices that are designed to use nominal electrical power.

People require advanced technology that will allow them to remain mobile. The increasing popularity of mobile devices such as PDAs and laptops allow the Wi-Fi technology to reach its full potential matching the increasing mobility of the society.

HSDPA or High-Speed Downlink Packet access is a mobile telephone protocol. It is also called High-Speed Downlink Protocol Access or 3.5G technology. It is a High-Speed Packet Access technology within the 3^rd Generation or 3G. HSDPA is designed to give out faster network capacity and speedier transmission rates of data transmitted with the use of mobile phones.

The HSDPA standard is expected to offer download speeds on mobile phones with the same speeds provided to an Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line or ADSL in a home. With the HSDPA, the user can perform transfers with the use of a mobile phone without the limitations of having to use an ADSL for speedier transmission rates.

Generally, HSDPA is considered an enhancement to the WCDMA or Wideband Code Division Multiple Access. HSDPA is said to reach a maximum of 8 to 10 Mbps as opposed to WCDMA’s 2 Mbps. This protocol allows transmission of any data. However, the focus of HSDPA is on video and music streaming.

HSDPA is commonly associated with downlink transmissions. But the standard has greater transfer capacity. Transfers within HSDPA networks reach 30 GB of data per month. Mobile television viewing reaches 300 minutes. Mobile phone calls reach 1000 minutes.

There are currently 100 HSDPA-capable networks within 54 nations all over the world. Majority of these networks provide downlink speeds of 3.6 Mbps. More networks are employing faster downlink speeds reaching 7.2 Mbps. Fewer networks provide the best HSDPA speeds of 14.4 Mbps.

A competitor for HSDPA is the Evolution Data Optimized or EVDO. Code Division Multiple Access or CDMA mobile providers support the EVDO.

The future success of HSDPA is uncertain. This is because of the presence of other alternatives for high speed transmission of data. Aside from the EVDO, CDMA2000 and WiMax are considered to be potential high-speed standards as well.

The HSDPA is an improvement of the WCDMA. So where the WCDMA has not been deployed, the HSDPA won’t succeed. This only points to the idea that the success of the HSDPA as a 3.5G standard relies on the WCDMA’s success as a 3G standard.