The first generation of mobile phones are often referred to as 1G. These mobile phones are the analogue items that were introduced in the 1980s & continued until they were replaced by 2G mobile phones, which ran on digital networks. In fact, although 1G & 2G systems both use digital signalling to link the radio towers to the telephone network, the voice is also encoded to digital signals in 2G while it is not on 1G phones.

The very first second generation mobile phones were launched commercially in Finland in 1991. While 2G networks were totally digital, the previous 1G networks were analogue. One of the best benefits that 2G networks had over their 1G predecessors was that phone conversations were digitally encrypted. This was significant because third parties were able to listen in on phone calls on analogue networks. As well as this, 2G systems were significantly more efficient, which allowed far more mobile phones to be used. Finally, 2G introduced data services on mobile phones, which included the launch of SMS messages.

After 2-G mobile phones were launched, the previous mobile phone systems were named 1G. Whilst radio signalling on 1G networks are analogue, and on 2G networks they are digital, both the 1G and 2G systems use digital signals to connect the radio towers and the rest of the phone system.

The first pre commercial 3-G mobile phone network was launched in Japan in the May of 2001. Later, 3-G was released commercially in Japan on 1st October 2001.

3-G is the third generation of mobile phone standards & technology, which succeeded 2-G mobile technology. The arrival of 3G technologies enabled network operators including Orange to give their users a bigger range of advanced services. This includes broadband internet, in addition to high-tech video calls.

Despite the success of 3G, there has also been many complaints about it. These include criticism over the cost of 3G phones, a lack of network coverage & concerns over the amount of power that 3G phones use.

After 3-G, we can get excited about the birth of 4-G technology, which should be the best & most advanced mobile phone technology yet.

Thank you for perusing our article about the invention of the mobile phone. As you have probably realised by now, the mobile phone has come a long way since it was initially launched & chances are, it'll be developed further still.