A List of Common Terms used to Describe Mobile Network Technologies
First Generation (1G) systems refer analogue mobile technology solutions that were first deployed in the late 1970s. First Generation systems were costly, and each country specific implementation was incompatible with other implementations.
Second Generation (2G) mobile technology systems were designed around a digital telecommunications environment. These systems offered scalability, security and low-cost small terminals. Examples of 2G mobile networks include the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), North America’s Interim Standard 95 (IS-95) and Interim Standard 54 (IS-54), and Japan’s Personal Digital Cellular (PDC).
Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), originally called the Groupe Spécial Mobile, was developed in Europe in the 1980’s as a single unifying standard for digital mobile communications in Europe. Since then GSM technology has been widely adopted around the world and is now the leading mobile technology that provides users with the freedom of an International roaming service. Today, within the the 3GPP standards GSM refers to a 3GPP compliant network with a GERAN based radio access network based on GPRS and EDGE.
Third Generation (3G) refers to a 3GPP compliant network with a UTRAN based radio access network. Third Generation systems are designed to offer high speed data services, support video calls and support a highly-scalable service enabling architecture. Networks using 3G technology utilise CDMA technology on the radio interface and an ATM or IP core infrastructure.
Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) is used to represent an evolution in terms of capacity, data speeds and new service capabilities from second generation mobile networks.
International Mobile Telecommunications – 2000 (IMT-2000) is a high-level description of functional subsystems, entities, capabilities and communication between subsystems for third generation cellular technology.
Next Generation Networks (NGN) describes an infrastructure that supports advanced new services while continuing to support today's services.
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3G Information 
