Cellular

This section contains a wealth of information relating to cellular technologies standardised by 3GPP, including 3G UMTS, 4G LTE, and 5G NR.

Deployed Mobile Networks by Generation

The following graph depicts the proportion of global mobile networks by their current technology generation. Due to the deprecated state of 2G GSM, no data are recorded for this technology. Note: these are live data. HB are continuously updating the network database as new information is made available.

2G GSM - Global System for Mobile Communications

Overview

GSM (Global System for Mobile communications) is an open, digital cellular technology used for transmitting mobile voice and data services. GSM is a circuit-switched system that divides each 200 kHz channel into eight 25 kHz tim

3G UMTS - Universal Mobile Telecommunications System

Overview

UMTS is an umbrella term for the third generation radio technologies developed by the 3GPP. UMTS specifies a complete network system, for which the radio access component, known as UTRAN, uses WCDMA technology to offer greater s

4G LTE - Long Term Evolution

Overview

4G LTE (Long Term Evolution) or the E-UTRAN (Evolved Universal Terrestrial Access Network), introduced in 3GPP Rel.

5G NR - New Radio

Overview

5G was developed with three broad use case families in mind: enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), massive machine-type communications (mMTC) and ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC).