1G Telecommunication Technology

1G refers to the first-generation of wireless telephone technology,

mobile telecommunications.
These are the analog telecommunications
standards that were introduced in the 1980s and completed in early 1990s.
1G is the first wireless communication based on the analogue system and it is
a simple telephony service without data.
The first commercially automated cellular network (the 1G generation)
was launched in Japan by Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (NTT) in 1979,
initially in the metropolitan area of Tokyo. Within five years, the NTT network
had been expanded to cover the whole population of Japan and became the
first nationwide 1G network.
In 1981, the NMT system simultaneously launched in Denmark,
Finland, Norway and Sweden. NMT was the first mobile phone network to
feature international roaming. In 1983, the first 1G network launched in the
USA was Chicago-based Ameritech using the Motorola DynaTAC mobile
phone. Several countries then followed in the early to mid-1980s including
the UK, Mexico and Canada.
The advantages of 1G is simpler (not complicated) network elements
while the disadvantages are limited capacity, not secure, poor battery life,
large phone size and background interference.

2G Telecommunication Technology
2G (or 2-G) is short for second-generation wireless telephone
technology. Second-generation 2G cellular telecom networks were
commercially launched on the GSM standard in Finland by Radiolinja (now
part of Elisa Oyj) in 1991. 2G is a digital version of 1G technology and it can
support voice call, short messages and browsing (partial).
Three primary benefits of 2G networks over their predecessors were
that phone conversations were digitally encrypted; 2G systems were
significantly more efficient on the spectrum allowing for far greater mobile
phone penetration levels; and 2G introduced data services for mobile,
starting with SMS text messages. 2G technologies enabled the various mobile
phone networks to provide the services such as text messages, picture
messages, and MMS (multimedia messages). All text messages sent over 2G
are digitally encrypted, allowing for the transfer of data in such a way that
only the intended receiver can receive and read it. With 2G technology, it had
a very low network range and slow data rates.
After 2G was launched, the previous mobile telephone systems were
retroactively dubbed 1G. While radio signals on 1G networks are analog, radio
signals on 2G networks are digital. Both systems use digital signaling to
connect the radio towers (which listen to the handsets) to the rest of the
telephone system.

3G Telecommunication Technology
The first 3G networks were introduced in 1998. The third-generation
(3G) vision is to create a unified global set of standards requirements that
could lead to the commercial deployment of advanced multimedia wireless
communications. The goal of 3G systems is to enable wireless service
providers to offer services found on todays wireline networks.
3G systems are based on packet switching instead of the older circuitswitching systems used in 2G. In 2G cellular networks, most data
communication, apart from the Short Message Service (SMS), requires a
circuit-switched connection in which a user must connect to a server to check
email, for example. The main limitation of this approach is that the users
have to be online even when they are not sending data, so they pay higher
costs and network capacity is wasted.
While different applications are being envisioned for 3G, MMS
(Multimedia Message Service) is getting the most attention. From an end-user
point of view, MMS is the same as SMS (Short Message Service) but with
pictures. Let us examine the possible role of MMS in 3G cellular networks.
Examples of the MMS applications include push messaging, automated datagenerated graphics, picture messaging, cartoon delivery, and enhanced
dating service including photos. Some operators such as the Telecom Italia
Mobile are offering access to information on Italian football matches, TV
program vignettes and Disney animated cards as part of its mobile
multimedia services. Another MMS application uses the latest traffic-status
information and knowledge of location to generate a map of the quickest
route to a destination.
Last but not least, the advantages of 3G are high security and it
support international roaming while the disadvantages are it consume high
power, low network coverage and high cost of spectrum license.

4G Telecommunication Technology
In late 2009, 4G network is introduced and become a service focus to
the service provider globally. 4G is one of the fastest technologies currently
available with higher data consumption and increased connectivity speed.
4G networks can integrate several radio access networks with fixed
internet networks as the backbone. A core interface sits in between core
network and radio access networks, and a collection of radio interfaces is
used for communication between the radio access networks and mobile
users. This kind of integration combines multiple radio access interfaces into
a single network to provide seamless roaming/handoff and the best
connected services.

Now 4G network is in various stages of development and coverage.

This network is built on one of three technologies: Long Term Evolution (LTE),
Evolved High Speed Packet Access (HSPA+), and Worldwide Interoperability
for Microwave Access (WiMAX) and has a theoretical maximum speed of
100Mbps. The main objectives of these technologies are to increase a highdata-rate, low-latency, improved spectrum efficiency, and improved
coverage.
In order to enjoy 4G speeds, users will need to have a compatible 4G
mobile phone and to be in the 4G coverage areas. A mobile phone needs to
have ability to support 4G networks, so user need to check the specifications
needed for 4G. Here are some devices that are compatible and affordable like
BlackBerry's Q5, HTC Desire 610 , HTC One SV, Huawei Ascend G6 , Huawei
Honor 6, Motorola Moto G 4G , Nokia Lumia 635 , Nokia Lumia 735 , Samsung
Galaxy Ace , Samsung Galaxy Note 4 , LG Optimus L90 , Apple iPhone 6 ,
Xperia SP , Sony Xperia E3 etc.
4G Long Term Evolution Services

As at end 2015, 4G LTE population coverage has reached 53.6%, exceeded

the target set, with over 1.35 million subscriptions.
This reflects the commitment and investment made by service providers in
4G LTE deployment, which ultimately delivers enhanced service experience to
end users.

Mobile Broadband
Mobile broadband is the marketing term for wireless Internet access
through a portable modem, mobile phone, USB wireless modem, tablet or
other mobile devices. The first wireless Internet access became available in
1991 as part of the second generation (2G) of mobile phone technology.
Higher speeds became available in 2001 and 2006 as part of the third (3G)
and fourth (4G) generations. In 2011, 90% of the world's population lived in

areas with 2G coverage, while 45% lived in areas with 2G and 3G coverage.
Mobile broadband uses the spectrum of 225 MHz to 3700 MHz.

As at end 2015, mobile broadband recorded a total of 28.4 million

subscriptions, an increase of 61% from 17.7 million in 2014. Mobile
broadband subscriptions have been showing increase for the past few years
due to migration from 2G to 3G aside from take up arising from increased
smartphone affordability and convenience of mobile functionality.
Notably, roll out of 4G LTE services in Malaysia since 2013 has offered
higher speed mobile broadband services to subscribers. Subsequently, nearly
one million net adds in 4G LTE subscriptions was recorded in 2015.

Mobile Services - Prepaid and postpaid subscriptions

Malaysia embraced mobile cellular services in mid 1980s. Its popularity grew
to eventually the number of subscribers for mobile cellular surpassing that of
fixed line in 2000. The fixed-mobile substitution advances even today.
However, mobile penetration rates are levelling off, and operators are shifting
focus and approach from customer acquisition to customer retention, as well
as to ramping up revenues per subscriber by driving up data usage.
In Malaysia, fixed line rates are regulated. Mobile rates are regulated in
respect of wholesale rates for the carriage
of voice
communications
vis--vis Mandatory Access Pricing. Price wars are intense as a result,
especially on prepaid starter
kits and
prepaid
services.
Prepaid and Post-paid Segments One of the key drivers behind the rapid
growth of mobile cellular services in Asia Pacific was the phenomenal success
of prepaid mobile services, with marked growth in emerging markets. Both
post-paid and prepaid services received a boost from further enhancements
to the services of and prolonging the lifecycle of 2G and 2.5G services despite
the emergence of the rapidly developing 3G technologies.

As at 2015, the 44.1 million mobile subscriptions comprised 35.4

million prepaid (80.3%) with the balance postpaid at 8.7 million (19.7%).
Postpaid subscription has increased 7.3% from 8.1 million in 2014, while
prepaid declined by 3.9% from 36.8 million. The increase in postpaid
subscription is due to appealing packages as well as strategic partnerships to
stimulate take up.

References

1. http://www.mcmc.gov.my/skmmgovmy/media/General/pdf/IPR_2015.pd
f

2. http://www.skmm.gov.my/skmmgovmy/media/General/pdf/2Q16infog_04112016.pdf

3. Nur Faizah Binti Ab Aziz & Noor Azian Mohamad Ali (January 1, 2015) 4G
Coverage in Malaysia
https://www.ijsr.net/archive/v4i1/SUB15554.pdf

4. Sevia Mahdaliza & Mohd Akmal Salleh (2008) 2G Communication Technology

in
Malaysia
http://eprints.utm.my/14280/1/SeviaMahdaliza2008_2Gcommunicationt
echnologyinMalaysia.pdf

5. Sevia Mahdaliza & Mohd Ariff Bin Arifin (2008) 3G Communication Technology
in Malaysia
http://eprints.utm.my/14290/1/SeviaMahdaliza2008_3GTelecommunicat
ionTechnologyInMalaysia.pdf
6. http://www.skmm.gov.my/link_file/what_we_do/Research/Industry
%20studies/ir_my_mobile_services.pdf