Communications and Internet 

Mobile Internet. Types of mobile Internet - deciphering abbreviations New 4g technologies

" is a marketing term that refers to the fourth generation of mobile wireless cellular communication. While 1G belongs to the first batch of widely available mobile phones, 2G switched to digital systems, bringing with the introduction of text messaging, and then 3G technology offering significant improvements, not least the ability to easily surf the web, and now 4G, designed to meet the speed requirements required by further development of existing 3G applications such as like text messages, video calls and mobile TV. In short, all the improvements that fancy adds to smartphones, such as HDTV capability, require more advanced technology and faster speeds. 4G is the answer to this problem.

4G (English fourth generation - fourth generation) is a promising (fourth) generation of mobile communications, which is characterized by high data transfer speeds and improved quality of voice communications. The fourth generation is usually referred to as promising technologies, with which you can transmit data at speeds above 10 Mbit/s to mobile subscribers.


In 2007, the International Telecommunication Union in the Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R) defined a new global standard called International Mobile Telecommunications-Advanced (IMT-Advanced). The standard contains a list of functions that a network must meet before it can be called "4G". These are the following functions (quote from ITU):

  • compatibility of services within IMT and with fixed networks;
  • the ability to interact with other radio access systems;
  • high-quality mobile communication services;
  • the ability to roam around the world;
  • Improved peak data rates to support expanded services and applications.

This means that IMT-Advanced will be Internet Protocol (IP) with packet switching network that includes Voice-over-IP (VoIP) rather than the separate telephone call circuits used in 3G networks.

Another feature of IMT-Advanced will be seamless communication and roaming over multiple network types, including smooth handover.

Simply put, smooth transmission means that your device will have access to the fastest available network. If you are answering phone call and move within the Wi-Fi Hotspot range, the device will move from the 4G network to the Wi-Fi Hotspot without losing telephone communication, and you will stay connected in your operator's area while you are in the Wi-Fi area. When you leave the Wi-Fi zone, the device will smoothly switch back to the 4G network without losing your phone connection. The list of requirements states that 4G networks must be able to exchange data at speeds of up to 100 Mbps. To put this into perspective, 3G data speeds can currently be as slow as 3.84Mbps, so this is a significant step forward.

Modern technologies, which will become everyday life in the very near future, are impossible without guaranteed broadband access, for example, remote surgical operations and online consultation systems, which will allow patients to contact the best specialists, and the latter will instantly receive medical records of their patients. technologies, without which almost any type of activity will be unthinkable in the coming years, require reliable, fast and highly throughput channels. Mobile 4G networks will allow you to transfer gigabytes of data instantly and with a high degree of security. Wireless technologies are leading the way in providing broadband access to rural areas. It is smarter and more cost-effective to build one 4G station capable of providing communications over a distance of tens of kilometers, rather than laying optical fiber. Perhaps Russia will turn into a country with one of the most advanced 4G networks, especially since the head of the Ministry of Communications is Nikolai Nikiforov, and his deputy is the owner of Yota Denis Sverdlov. Both Nikiforov and Sverdlov are people with extensive practical experience. The first developed and successfully launched “electronic government” in the Republic of Tatarstan, the second is the CEO of the first brand in Russia that launched the format in 2009 wireless Internet- WiMAX communications, and in 2011 - the most advanced LTE format. On this moment LTE devices are designed for speeds of 20 Mbit/s, but theoretically the fourth generation network can provide speeds of up to 300 Mbit/s, which makes completely new services possible. For example, conducting high-quality video conferences on huge office screens. Participants in such conferences can not only be located in different geographical locations, but also move, for example, in: a web camera on a laptop operating in an LTE network will ensure full participation in the dialogue. File exchange becomes incredibly fast: for example, a 100 MB file can be uploaded to an FTP server in just 4 seconds. Ordinary users will most likely be interested in mobile Internet television. 4G means you can easily download both music and video on the go; downloading a standard movie over 4G will only take 10-15 minutes. The fast connection will also allow mobile gamers to enjoy challenging multiplayer games online games. Already now, LTE allows you to transmit HD video in real time - the main thing is that the servers of the sending side work quickly (YouTube is already configured for fast video delivery, but many video services are not on the Internet yet). Augmented reality systems will be a science-fiction service that 4G networks will provide: a cloud server will send hundreds of contextual clues to the screens of mobile devices, based on the subscriber’s location and the cityscape that their webcams “see.”

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Modern technologies, in particular the development of the Internet and wireless communication, have transformed the world beyond recognition. The population enjoys not only free access to all kinds of information, but also unique opportunities for communication and fun leisure time. At the same time, the level of quality of the Internet connection, as well as the speed of data transfer, is of great importance. And in our time, the development of these technologies has reached unprecedented heights. Despite the widespread introduction of the new generation of communications, few people still know what 4G means.

1. What is 4G

4G in English means fourth generation. This is a promising generation of wireless communications, which has high data transfer speeds, as well as higher quality voice communications. This generation of communications includes such promising technologies that provide data transmission speeds over a wireless network of at least 10 Mbit/s to moving users. So what does 4G mean? This is the fourth generation of mobile communications, which has a lot of undeniable advantages.

Based on research and numerous evaluations various technologies 4G broadband, which is known as IMT-Advenced. Based on the evaluation results, only two technologies were awarded the official title of IMT-Advenced. These are promising technologies LTE-Advenced, as well as WirelessMAN-Advenced. These two technologies today fall under the 4G standard - the fourth generation of wireless communications.

2. How 4G works

4G communication systems are based on packet data transfer protocols. This technology uses the IPv4 protocol to transmit information, but in the future it is planned to support the IPv6 protocol.

Modern 4G technology is of great importance in providing broadband Internet access in rural areas, since it is more justified to install one 4G station than to install a fiber optic connection. One station is capable of providing high-speed communications over tens of kilometers.

3. Benefits of 4G

Today it is very difficult to evaluate the advantages of high-speed fourth generation communications, since they are very numerous. Using such technologies, enormous amounts of all kinds of information become available to users. The need to wait for complex and time-consuming web pages to open, as well as long waits for sufficient downloads, becomes a thing of the past. large file, such as a movie, etc.

It is the high speed of data transfer over a wireless network, as well as high quality voice communications, that are the main advantages of the fourth generation of 4G mobile communications. This in turn entails increased convenience and significant time savings, which is the main requirement of users. In addition, 4G mobile communications provide users with the opportunity to access the Internet absolutely anywhere (where there is 4G coverage) and at any time.

Thanks to the introduction of fourth generation wireless technology, Internet television will become available to users in high quality(HD). In addition, people will be able to create video calls as well as video conferences. 4G support for mobile devices opens up a lot of new opportunities.

4. WHAT IS 4G LTE: Video

Thanks to such technologies, many people will be able to perform certain actions remotely. For example, doctors will be able to manage robotic operating rooms while on another continent.

These days, there are several technologies that claim to be the fourth generation of mobile communications. These are technologies such as:

  • TD-LTE;
  • Mobile WiMAX;
  • HSPA+.

Despite this diversity, most mobile operators they choose LTE technology, and it is this technology that is developing in Russia and Ukraine. IN currently The data transfer speed in 4G networks based on LTE technology is about 30 Mbit/s, but in the future this figure is planned to increase to 300 Mbit/s.

4G communication is the future wireless networks. Many users today have the opportunity to experience all the benefits of this technology for themselves. At the same time, once you try 4G, you will never want to go back to 3G and such a slow connection.

Modern infocommunication technologies and electronics are developing at such a speed that it is difficult and unthinkable for the average person to imagine themselves not only without a smartphone or tablet, but also without access to the Internet. Thus, Internet-connected gadgets have surpassed desktop computers and laptops mainly due to the advent of 3G.

Turning to history, one can see that almost every ten years, starting from the 1970s, when the 1G standard was developed, more and more new types of communication appear. By 1990, 2G was adopted, and in the early 2000s, the 3G standard was introduced. It was only in 2010 that a network based on the IP protocol began to spread around the world under the name 4G. Each new communication standard is different from the previous one frequency range, size throughput channel and bitrate, as well technical maintenance the network itself.

4G is a new generation of data reception and transmission technology that can operate with a throughput of more than 100 Mbit/s for mobile and more than 1 Gbit/s for landline subscribers networks accordingly.

Back in 2012, such wireless technologies of this generation as WiMAX 2 (WMAN-Advanced, IEEE 802.16m) and LTE Advanced (LTE-A) were introduced

Technological features

Requirements for data exchange speeds of 100 Mbit/s for mobile and 1 Gbit/s for fixed 4G communication receivers were presented back in 2008 by the International Telecommunication Union. However, initially LTE standards and WiMAX did not meet the above requirements, although they were considered the fourth generation. Only with the launch of LTE-Advanced did the network speed reach the required value.

As for the difference from the previous 3G standard, in the fourth the principle of data transmission is based on the IPv4 and IPv6 packet protocols. VoLTE technology is provided for voice transmission.

Radio planning and network maintenance specialists regularly monitor and implement innovations to increase the maximum speed and quality of information reception/transmission, since 4G must meet the following conditions:

Mandatory use of IP protocols.

Capacity for subscribers moving at speeds up to 33.3 m/s.

Dynamic partitioning to optimize network processes.

40 MHz bandwidth.

Excellent quality mobile systems.

As for the hardware, equipment production is carried out by such corporations as Siemens, Huawei, Nokia. Qualcomm produces microprocessors for modems that can operate in several standards at once.

Difference between 4G and 3G

The first thing that is immediately noticeable when using the new generation is the tenfold increase in traffic speed, that is, in 3G it ranges from 348 kbit/s for mobile and from 2 Mbit/s for landline subscribers.

It is worth noting that gadgets that have a built-in 4G module can also work in 3G. The methods of transmitting and receiving information are also significantly different. 3G is characterized by both voice and packet modes, while 4G is packet only.

Since the third generation appeared much earlier than the fourth, the coverage area is also many times larger.

Also, the three have code division of signals, which ensures a reliable and uninterrupted connection when switching from one base station to another.

Advantages and disadvantages

Of course, the most basic advantage over other sources of network access is mobility and portability, without any connection to a cable, cord or coverage area.

The other side of the coin is that 4G coverage is not yet quite perfect. Therefore on stable work can only be calculated within large cities or metropolitan areas. But the main condition for connection is a built-in or external modem.

If we compare mobile communications and wi-fi, the latter has a clear advantage in speed. This also applies to energy consumption, since wifi modules I consume battery energy several times less than 4G modems.

Another compelling argument when choosing a 4G modem is the relatively high price of such devices, as well as the cost of the Internet, which depends on the operator’s tariff.

Having analyzed the text described above, we can come to the conclusion that at the stage of development at which 4G is now, such a standard is best suited for fast access to the Internet, web surfing, viewing mail, news, video, audio and personal accounts, but not for full download of large files.

The promise of 5G

At the moment, the world's leading manufacturers and operators of telecommunications equipment and services are already developing latest standard 5G. The announcement is expected by 2020. The concept involves network multitasking, multi-switching functionality, as well as constant online operation of gadgets and devices. The main emphasis is on high energy efficiency, which ensures very low energy consumption of equipment.

Video about what 4G LTE communication means, how does 4G differ from 3G?

Modern wireless Internet is developing very rapidly. Just 3 years ago, no one thought about the massive spread of 4G throughout almost all of central Russia, but large operators it was just in the plans. Now high-speed Internet is appearing in new settlements. If previous generations 2G and 3G were established standards for a long time, then 4G and LTE are progressing every year. In this article you will learn what the maximum speed of 4G Internet is and how to measure it. Also read in the next section useful material about how they differ from each other.

What speed should 4 G have?

If we take into account the 4G LTE network, which is the first generation of the new 4G technology, the figures will be much lower than stated. Back in 2008, standards were set according to which the maximum speed in 4G networks should have been as follows:

  • 100Mb/s for mobile subscribers. These include cars, trains, and so on;
  • 1Gb/s for static subscribers (pedestrians and stationary computers).

However, in reality things are worse than by stated standards. These parameters were set by the creators of the technology in ideal conditions without interference, network load and other unpleasant moments. In fact, for static subscribers the real figure does not exceed 100Mb/s. However, operators loudly proclaim 200-300Mb/s. The closest to this figure are Megafon and Beeline, which launched a network with support for LTE Advanced or 4G+. The performance of this standard reaches up to 150Mb/s under ideal conditions. However, it makes it clear: the mass adoption of LTE Advanced will have to wait a long time. In addition, the growing number of subscribers will increase the load on the network, which will lead to a decrease in the average.

By the way, a new one is coming, its speed is even higher!

Difference in mobile internet speed 3g and 4g

Compared to the third generation new technology made a significant leap forward. The average 4g LTE data transfer speed currently hovers around 20Mb/s. The maximum rate for the third generation is 2Mb/s. The difference is obvious. However, the HSPA+ network brought the third generation to life with indicators of 42Mb/s for upload and 6Mb/s for reception.

How to check 4g internet speed?

You can independently determine what data transfer rates are currently on your phone. For this you will need mobile app Speedtest, which can be downloaded from stores Play Market and AppStore. The 4G speed test is launched by pressing just one button when starting the program. The utility will automatically measure the ping to the nearest server with which it will exchange a test data packet. After this, it will measure reception and return and display it on the screen of your device. The same operation can be done from a computer on the website of the same name. Also read on our website about their distribution.

While using the mobile Internet, you, of course, noticed that when established connection Different letters and abbreviations appear in the top quick access bar on the phone: H, H+, LTE, 3G, 4G and others. They indicate the type of connection on which the speed of data transmission and reception depends.

Explanation of symbols and characteristics of connection types

Knowing the meaning of the symbols and the basic parameters of each type of connection, you can understand what speed to expect with the existing signal level. In most cases, the mobile device itself selects the fastest available communication protocol and makes it possible to use the Internet through it.

Mobile device shows the type of network being used

Type to choose from network connection the following factors influence:

  • the place where you are: indoors or at a great distance from large cities, the most modern and fast protocols (for example, 4G) may not be available, and the device will select the type of connection that will work, albeit slowly;
  • tariff used: many tariffs do not provide for the use of the high-speed 4G protocol, allowing connection only to 3G and slower connection types;
  • technical characteristics of the device: not all mobile devices support the maximum network access speed, so in order to find out how many megabytes per second your phone can send, you need to read the documentation on the official website of the manufacturer.

3G

Alternative names are 3rd Generation and UMTS. This is the most common Internet connection format these days. The number "3" denotes the third generation of communication protocols. Initially, the speed of this type of connection did not exceed 384 Kbps, but now, under favorable conditions, it can reach 21 Mbps. However, most often you will get speeds of up to 2 Mbps on your phone or tablet.

The advantages of the 3G mode include the fact that it is inferior in speed only to a 4G connection, but is available almost everywhere. But if you move faster than 30 km/h by car or train, the connection speed begins to decrease.

Speed mobile internet in 4G networks many times higher than in any other

H, 3.5G, H+, 3G+

Type H is an improved version of 3G, based on HSDPA - High Speed ​​Downlink Packet Access technology. H+, 3.5G and 3G+ are also add-ons to the 3G mode that use the HSPA+ protocol. They allow you to develop more high speed data transfer: under ideal conditions, when using a dual-channel version of the HSDPA protocol - up to 21 Mbit/s, and in the basic mono-channel version of the HSPA+ protocol - up to 22 Mbit/s. In reality, however, the speed in both protocols usually does not exceed 3.8 Mbit/s.

3.75G

This option is rarely seen as phones usually don't display it in the status bar even though they actually use it. The connection is carried out using the DC-HSPA+ protocol - an improved version of HSPA. Its maximum speed is two times higher than that of the H option - 42 Mbit/s, since it implements two-channel interaction. The best performance of networks of this type is comparable to the average performance of a 4G connection.

4G, LTE

4G (fourth generation networks) are the fastest available at the moment. But only if they implement the LTE (Long Term Evolution) protocol. Initially, 4G networks used WiMAX technology, and their speed did not exceed 40 Mbit/s. But today almost all telecom operators use the LTE protocol.

There are two types of LTE connections: LTE FDD and LTE TDD. Their main difference is the distribution of the available frequency range. But regardless of which version of the protocol is used, the data transfer speed can theoretically reach values ​​from 100 Mbit/s to 1 Gbit/s, and in reality - more than 40 Mbit/s.

4G networks, however, have a number of disadvantages:

  • the cost of Internet access in them is higher than in 3G networks, so switching to a tariff that supports 4G is only worth it if you download large files or watch videos via mobile Internet;
  • The coverage area, that is, the area where a 4G connection is available, is much smaller than that of 3G, so be prepared to be left without fast Internet if you go out of town.

The coverage areas of 3G and 4G networks in Russia are shown below. In the upper part there is a 4G coverage area, in the lower part - 3G. It can be seen that the 3G network coverage of the territory is much denser, especially at great distances from large cities.

3G network coverage is much denser

4G+, LTE-A

The 4G+ standard is the next stage in the development of networks based on the 4G protocol and supports LTE-Advanced technology. It allows you to combine used frequencies, resulting in increased connection speed.

The maximum speed depends on the specific implementation of LTE-A capabilities by the telecom operator. In some cases, you can get up to 450 Mbps, which is faster than wired connections.

G (General Packet Radio Service)

A very old standard, which at one time was positioned as an improved version of 2G - it was called 2.5G. It works using the GPRS protocol - an improved version of the GSM protocol.

This is, of course, the slowest type of communication of all those described, since its maximum speed does not exceed 200 Kbps. A regular website page without large quantity images and other media elements will take about a minute to load in this mode. But sometimes it is possible to connect to such a network in places where 3G and 4G are not available.

E (or EDGE - Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution)

EDGE is not 3G yet, but is already closer to it. The second name of this option is 2.75G. This puncture appeared after G. It is capable of providing a maximum speed of about 300–400 Kbps.

Video: comparison of 3G and 4G connection speeds

Most fast internet these days it is available over a 4G+ or 4G connection. The second fastest option is 3G+ and H+, then H and 3G. The slowest options, which work a little faster than the regular 2G protocol, are G and E. At the same time, the coverage area of ​​​​the Internet using the most modern technology, is relatively small, and you can get a 3G, G or E network in most settlements countries.