2G Mobile Network (PCS, and 2G+)

2G Mobile Network: Second generation mobile network. Refers to the second generation cellular phones that introduced digital technology and carried both voice and data conversations.

Examples of 2G mobile networks:

- CDMA
- TDMA
- GSM (accounts for over 80% of all subscribers around the world!)

2G services are more commonly referred to as Personal Communications Service (PCS in the United States). PCS operates at 1900Mhz. The FCC set aside the frequency between 1850 and 1990 MHz for mobile phone use in 1994 as the original cellular phone band (824 – 894 MHz) was becoming overcrowded. Dual band GSM phones are capable of working in both 850 and 1900 Mhz bands while tri-band or quad-band phones operate in 3 or 4 different frequency bands. While GSM is used throughout the world, CDMA and TDMA are used primarily in the Americas, with PCS being referred to as GSM-1900 outside of the US and in Hong Kong specifically as GSM-1800.

Sources: Newton’s Telecom Dictionary, 22nd edition; 2006 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_Communications_Service


2G+ Mobile Network: Second generation plus mobile network. Refers generically to a category of mobile wireless networks that support higher data rates than 2G mobile networks.

Example of 2G+ mobile network:

- GPRS