In preparing to change cell phones plans the first thing that I saw that looked confusing was all the different cell phone generations and speeds.
Cell phone generations started with the first generation (1G) years ago which is nowhere in service anymore as far as I see. The current cell phone landscape includes networks that are second-generation (2G), third-generation (3G), and fourth generation (4G).
The evolution of cell phone standards is complicated involving multiple aspects including things like the ability to keep calls from dropping as well the ability to do more than one thing at the same time while calling, but in one simple perspective a basic difference is in data transfer speeds which impacts how fast mobile web pages load.
There doesn’t appear to be an exact performance standard for any generation. There are multiple evolutionary steps among the generations and standards. By comparison 2G operates in the 100s of kbps while 3G has “a minimum data rate of 2 Mbit/s for stationary or walking users, and 384 kbit/s in a moving vehicle”[i] 4G data minimums look like 1 Gbit/s for stationary and 100 Mbit/s for mobile operation.[ii]
That translates to 3G being conceivably, say, 20 times faster than 2G and 4G conceivably being 300 to 500 times faster than 3G. 4G speeds are roughly the equivalent to home internet speeds.
In fact, some cellular providers are offering 4G home services as an alternative to wired home internet services. The caveat with wireless, though, is location, and interference. I don’t see anyone saying that 4G home internet services are as reliable as their wired counterparts.
The point is that these generational speed numbers are not hard and fast. Reception and transmission depend largely on continuous proximity to a tower transmitting in the desired frequency. So, depending on where you are, how many towers are nearby, how many users are competing for resources, the weather, etc., a strong 3G could outperform a marginal or spotty 4G.
Within each generation are a multiplicity of different standards that different companies have implemented to achieve the speed and features of that generation. Two basic systems that prevail in these generations are CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) and GSM (Global System for Mobiles). It’s important to know that CDMA phones cannot coexist on the same network with GSM phones and vice versa: they’re just different systems. That’s why Sprint phones don’t work on AT&T’s network.
AT&T and T-mobile use GSM phones which are activated with the use of SIM cards. Verizon Wireless, Sprint, MetroPCS, Cricket, and U.S. Cellular use CDMA phones. These phones are activated in the carrier’s network through the use of lists. When you sign up for a CDMA-based carrier they put your phone on their list of approved phones in their network. Most 4G phones utilize a new standard, LTE, which stands for Long Term Evolution.
Cell phones operate using radio frequencies. A range of radio frequencies is called a band. Different bands have been allocated to the different carriers at different times. Therefore you will find that when you investigate phones that it is able to access a number of different bands with the corresponding generational speed. For example, you may find in AT&T phone that uses 850 MHz and/or 1900 MHz for 3G access and 700 MHz and/or 1700/2100 MHz for 4G access.
Some carrier websites have coverage maps and utilities that can advise you of what may be available at your location. However, there still doesn’t appear to be any better tool than actually trying a phone from your desired carrier in the locations you frequent.
Verizon recently was voted best for 4G reception with AT&T last of the 4 major networks.[iii] In terms of customer satisfaction Consumer Reports ranked Consumer Cellular as the best monthly plan and Tracfone as the best no contract plan. Still, that may not mean anything to you as ratings varied by locality.
Consumer Reports has extensive information about cell phone and cell phone plans.[iv] A subscription may be required to access the information.
In the end while online sites provide invaluable insight, asking which phone(s) and plan(s) your friends and neighbors are the most satisfied with may be the ultimate deciding factor.
