In modern smartphones, at the top of the screen you can always find a line on which there is a signal strength icon, a battery charge level icon, etc. The letters G, E, 3G, H, 3G+, H+, 4G, and sometimes LTE may also appear in the line. What do they mean? The answer is actually simple - the icon shows which transmission technology is used in this moment. In other words, this is the technology that is used to connect your smartphone to the Internet.
Now let's take a closer look at each icon. Attention - in the upper right, left, or right corner (depending on the smartphone model).
- G from English GPRS - General Packet Radio Service, packet radio communication common use(2G). GPRS allows the user of a cellular network to exchange data with other devices on the GSM network and with external networks, including the Internet. The maximum speed is 171.2 Kbps, but in practice it is usually lower.
- E from English EDGE. Digital wireless technology for mobile communications, operating over 2G and 2.5G networks. The maximum speed has already reached 474 Kbps.
- 3G from English third generation - third generation. Third generation mobile communication technology, which also provides high-speed Internet access. UMTS technology with HSPA add-on is used. The maximum speed of 3G networks reaches 3.6 Mbit/s.
- H, 3G+, H+. HSPA (High Speed Packet Access) technology allows you to transfer data over UMTS networks at very high speeds up to several tens of Mbit/s! However, you need to take into account that not all devices support this speed.
- 4G (LTE, LTE-A). As you might have guessed, the technology got its name from the phrase fourth generation - fourth generation. This promising technologies, which allow data transmission at speeds exceeding 100 Mbit/s for mobile subscribers and 1 Gbit/s for landline subscribers.
Please note that the figures indicated in the article are approximate. Much depends on the operator, the user's location, the user's device, etc. And this means that in real life speed may vary significantly. At the same time, in many cities, the Internet connection speed on smartphones is so high that you can watch HD videos directly from your device.
Life modern man It’s impossible to imagine without mobile communications. The first “handheld handsets” were radiotelephones, which included the very first generation of 1G cellular communications, namely the NMT (Nordic Mobile Telephone) standard, which appeared on the world market in 1981.
LTE (Long-Term Evolution) technology is the main direction in the evolution of third generation (3G) cellular networks. In January 2008, the international association Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), which develops promising mobile communication standards, approved LTE as the next standard for a broadband mobile communication network after UMTS.
4G networks based on the LTE standard are capable of operating across almost the entire frequency spectrum from 700 MHz to 2.7 GHz.
LTE provides theoretical peak data rates of up to 326.4 Mbps from the base station to the user and up to 172.8 Mbps in the opposite direction.
Long Term Evolution technology is expected to lead to the emergence of qualitatively new mobile services: users will be able to receive video in real time High Quality, work with interactive services, etc.
In April 2009 LTE network Motorola showed at the CTIA Wireless exhibition. In May Swedish operator Telia demonstrated the world's first section of a cellular network built using LTE technology. Verizon, Bell and Telus are working on creating such networks.
This standard was developed by Intel Corporation, the world's largest microchip manufacturer. Accordingly, laptops will primarily be equipped with WiMAX chips. Most likely, over time, WiMAX will replace Wi-Fi, since Wi-Fi operates within a radius of several meters from the access point; mobile WiMAX has significantly greater coverage. And in addition, it allows the subscriber, if he is moving at a speed of up to 120 km/h, to switch between stations.
Summer 2009 In Russia, Russia's first wireless fast Internet network using Mobile WiMAX (4G) technology was launched into commercial operation. The service provider based on this network was Scartel, known under the Yota brand. The network provides high speed Internet access - up to 10 Mbit/s, at any time, anywhere in the coverage area and maintains a connection even while on the move, at speeds of up to 120 km/h. Residents of Moscow, St. Petersburg, Ufa, Krasnodar and Sochi have already received access to Yota.
The material was prepared based on information from open sources
For those who live in the countryside, in a village or even in a remote village, the issue of access to the Internet is more relevant than ever. Dedicated wire lines will not appear in remote corners of our homeland any time soon, so we have to use alternative option represented by 3G modems.
Let's try to figure out what kind of device and 3G modem it is. And to do this in the most painless way in terms of price and quality of reception.
What is a 3G modem
This is a device that uses operators to receive and transmit. And most importantly, the networks are wireless. The advantages of this type of transceiver are the absence of wires, ease of connection and mobility. Reverse side suffers from poor connection quality coupled with an unstable signal, so 3G Internet speed can fluctuate over a wide range - from 0 to the stated 5 Mbit/s.
Why 3G?
Internet providers play it safe by laying out dedicated lines to more or less large villages, counting on low consumer capacity. Therefore, very often in the service center you can hear about the absence technical feasibility to connection. In private sectors, there is no talk of a wired network at all.
Some providers offer to pay for the installation of such networks for the administration of a village or farm (all the residents chipped in - things went well). But in this case, they no longer play it safe, but, on the contrary, take the number of users with a reserve, that is, the output amount turns out to be almost unaffordable.
Therefore, the only thing left for a rural resident who suffers from Internet communication is to choose a 3G modem. The Internet speed, of course, is not so great in this case, but it is better than telephony with 128 Kbps.
Advantages and disadvantages
The undeniable advantage of a 3G modem is mobility. This is especially true for people who, due to circumstances, are constantly on the move, while using the Internet for work or entertainment. And for residents of villages and farms, this is sometimes the only solution to the issue of communication with the World Wide Web.
The rest is full of shortcomings. The Internet speed of a 3G modem is affected by terrain, rain, snow and even fog, and the tariffs of cellular operators, compared to a leased line, are simply extortionate, while the quality of services provided leaves much to be desired. The signal stability of this type of transceiver cannot be criticized.
Where is the exit?
Even despite such a hefty list of shortcomings, this does not stop the villager. In literally every home where there is a computer or laptop, you can see a 3G modem. The speed of the Internet, as mentioned above, leaves much to be desired, so there is only one way out - to increase the speed of signal reception and transmission with your own hands. The Kulibins have not yet disappeared in our country, which means we will use the methods and means at hand that they have tested.
3G internet
Many ways to speed up 3G Internet have been proposed on the Internet, but it’s worth noting right away that all kinds of software and manual ones only help by 2-3%, and this is a ridiculous increase. Soldering into the modem unit is extremely undesirable - the reliability of this method is questionable, but the device can easily be damaged.
Copper wire winding and synergy with tin can they will also not give significant results, even if you install the receiver on the roof of the house.
The only option that is tested and plausible from the point of view of the laws of physics, does not require large expenses and works 100% is the use of a parabolic antenna, which is used for broadcasting satellite TV. Moreover, the larger the diameter of the “dish”, the higher the 3G Internet speed. It is also worth mentioning the gain factor - best option in our case - 19 dB.
parabolic antenna
Any antenna is suitable for the experiment, but it is better to take one that has already proven itself with positive side"plate" from "Tricolor". It is inexpensive - within 1000 rubles (the price on the official website is 750 rubles). Installation is simple and is carried out using a standard bracket (for more details, see the device’s operating instructions).
The bottom line is that at the antenna focus, instead of a connector, we install our 3G modem. This will allow electromagnetic waves to focus on the signal at the modem point. That is, the “plate” is used in its own way direct purpose, but with a slight amendment - it focuses not satellite channels, but the waves of the cellular operator, thereby increasing the speed of 3G Internet (Megafon, MTS, Beeline - any provider cannot resist).
You can go even further by distributing the Internet throughout the house through a Wi-Fi router. To do this, we connect the modem from the “dish” via a USB cable to the router and connect to the Network from anywhere in the house via a laptop, tablet or personal computer.
To protect our modem from all kinds of elements, we can waterproof it using any plastic flask (a box of vitamins, pills, or something like that). In any case, the technical design of such a device will not cause problems. But for the speed of 3G Internet (MTS in particular) to be at high level, we need to configure our antenna correctly.
Antenna setup
For correct settings“plates” we will need any software that allows us to control the signal level on our device in real time. Numerous forums and specialized resources speak extremely warmly about the WlanExpert utility, which can be downloaded from the developer’s official website. It is designed specifically for dynamic monitoring of the cellular signal level (of any operator).
If there is no desire to use third-party software, then you can resort to standard programs that are equipped with operator flash modems. Although the dynamics of change are traced too slowly and too late, the utilities nevertheless work. The main thing is that you can control the signal level while setting up the antenna.
All you have to do is turn the dish up or down to find a stable and full signal from mobile operator. Then the antenna is pre-fixed and checked within a day or two. If the signal is normal, then we install it “tightly” and use high-speed Internet.
Fine tuning
After you have connected the modem and launched the signal monitoring program, you need to technically adjust the reception/transmission level. Using the example of the above-mentioned WlanExpert program: the signal readings should be smaller in magnitude. In other words, -50 dB will be better than -60 dB.
It is worth noting that the antenna mounts should be loosened during tuning, since tightened bolts will not allow you to fine-tune the signal (too tight and scattered). First, you need to adjust the reception in the horizontal plane, checking the program readings (an assistant in this matter will obviously not be superfluous). Once you have found the desired point, mark the antenna position with a marker. Then it is necessary to carry out a similar adjustment in the vertical plane under the same conditions.
After a stable signal is found, secure some of the bolts to the bracket, but not all, as additional rotation of the “plate” may be necessary. After these manipulations, you can try to twist the modem itself (along with the plastic bulb) for finer tuning. Once the optimal signal is found, you need to insulate the junction of the cable and the bulb.
This completes the adjustment. If the signal did not change significantly within a day or two and the connection was stable, then you can tighten all the bracket bolts and enjoy high Internet speeds.
The Internet has long become a part of our lives, helping in all its aspects. Its main characteristic, which millions of users experience every day, is the data transfer speed. And we all strive for its maximum level, so that we can watch films in best quality from your phone, download files faster and perform other operations with greater efficiency. After all, many mobile operators have long been introducing unlimited packages, the only difference being the data transfer standard.
What speed should 4G have?
First of all, it is worth noting that everything is relative and the speed of 4g Internet will rarely reach its peak values claimed by marketers. Here the towers, their location and small quantitative ratio play their role. After all, for new technology, it is necessary to use a completely different cellular communication standard, and not every operator is willing to spend money on upgrading its equipment throughout the country. However, according to the standard established back in 2008, the speed should reach:
- Up to 100 Mbit per second for mobile subscribers. These include objects moving quickly between towers, for example, drivers or passengers of public transport.
- Up to 1 Gb/s for static objects, which, according to the stated standards, should include pedestrians and stationary PCs or laptops standing in 1 place.
Again, it is worth understanding that maximum speed- This abstract concept, received by operators in ideal conditions and promoted during their marketing campaign. In fact, the average speed of mobile Internet according to the latest standard will be much lower, and even static objects can receive only 100 Mbit per second, in contrast to the stated 200–300 of some companies. However, this performance clearly correlates with the LTE performance, the maximum speed of which did not exceed 10 Mbit.
Megafon and Beeline performed best, coming close to the advertised speed in some corners of the capital. But you should understand that you will get this only under the conditions that:
- You will be standing in close proximity to a communications tower.
- Interference will be minimal.
- The load on the network will also be minimal.
All this is impossible due to the fact that Megafon’s coverage area leaves much to be desired, and the number of subscribers switching to a new tariff increases the load on the network. Accordingly, the average figure drops significantly, and even in the main cities of the Russian Federation you will rarely get 4G. If you are lucky, the connection will show 3G, but in most cases it will be the same notorious LTE. However, the situation is getting better and better, because just a few years ago there were significantly fewer zones with 3G, but now the gradual replacement of equipment in connection with the transition to a new standard gives hope for a technological breakthrough in our country. But how can you find out right now in your case?
How to check speed
Just click the "Start Testing" button
other methods
If you are a resident of one of the capitals, or you somehow managed to catch the new standard on your smartphone, then you can find out from your own example what speed is possible to get on 4G in principle. To do this, you don’t need to detect peak indicators for half an hour while listening to music or downloading files; it will be enough to have access to the network and open window browser - Speedtest.net. Or, even easier, download the Speedtest app on your smartphone, which is free and available to major trading platforms for Android and iOS. To check the speed, just:
- Find an access point to the 4G standard and get closer to the place with the highest available connection quality.
- Launch the application and select the Internet speed and ping test point closest to you.
- Click the “Test” button and wait for the testing to finish.
Testing takes place on the basis of the utility server closest to you, against which ping and peak Internet speed indicators will be measured, and accordingly, you will be able to determine the real indicators of the new mobile Internet standard. For comparison, you can perform the same operation with the site of the same name on a PC to which a cable or modem is connected to make sure whether your peak performance actually reaches what the operator claims when attracting customers. You can also test with 3G, as well as LTE standard, to see if the difference in speed is worth the extra 200 rubles for a new service package.
After such a check, many users are looking for ways to speed up the mobile Internet and increase its resolution in the new standard, and here they have only a few ways to solve the problem:
- Wait for the operator to conduct complete replacement their towers, after which the speed will approach the declared indicators.
- Get rid of unnecessary interference, for example, turn off the Wi-Fi router.
- Get rid of unnecessary Internet speed consumption. If you want to see real peaks, turn off any apps on your phone that might be using the internet in the background.
The last 2 points will allow you to see only possible maximum indicators, but on average everything will be close to the picture you saw during your first speedtest. Let's figure out how lte speed differs from 4g and 3g, and is it worth overpaying for it?
Difference in 3G and 4G speed
But if we talk about the situation in the path of technological developments, then the Internet speed of 3G and 4G differs radically in peak indicators and shows an exponential development technological progress In his best. Thus, the data transfer speed of the 4th standard is within 20 Mbit, which 5 years ago was considered the maximum for cable and landline Internet. While in the third generation high-speed Internet the situation was much worse and the average to this day does not exceed 2–5 Mbit per second.
Again, it is worth considering that preparation for to the last generation and the efforts of operators to close as much as possible large areas The HSPA+ network also influenced the speed of the old standard, bringing it closer to the ideal indicators - 42 Mbit for upload and reception. Therefore, the conclusion arises that after 2-3 years the new communication standard will function in our country in all its glory and its speed will increase by 2-3 orders of magnitude, approaching the maximums declared by marketers.
In fact, I relate to modern means communication is very good, one might even say warm. After all, it was thanks to them that so many new ones appeared in the world. interesting professions. People can sit at home with a laptop, not see the faces of employees for months and still do their job - be observers, journalists, assessors, SMM operators... After all, without such a thing as the Network itself, principles of searching and distributing data and information, without fast Internet for video communication all these activities would be impossible.
So it’s not worth accusing me in advance of being a neo-Luddite and hating technology (in particular, mobile), as would follow from the text below. I just want to understand how much today’s civilization depends on technology and what to do if the situation from the series “Revolution” occurs in reality.
So, again I will return to my favorite topic of comparing today's reality with the past. 15 years ago I had a mobile phone and knew that I needed it for voice communication purely “on business”. There could be no hour-long conversations about anything - the tariffs did not allow it, and my phone began to noticeably heat up from a long conversation (and, as I guess, it was heating akin to that in a microwave).
10 years ago, I was driving to work in a minibus and listened to several songs loaded onto a memory card - the volume was just enough for the trip there and back. There was no thought that you need to constantly hold the phone in your hands so as not to miss the desired tweet, message, letter, notification, news or some other nonsense that pops up on the screen.
Today our life is suffering for many. Those that are hung with bracelets, trackers, watches, headsets, smartphones and cameras: everything needs to be monitored, everything needs to be charged. You need to keep track of who answered you what, you need to remember to post about how far you ran, you need to post photos of your food on Instagram, you need to check in at the Foursquare, you need to update your to-do list, crossing off what you have completed... And all this is impossible without good and reliable mobile Internet, which everyone is so passionate about now.
Today our life is suffering for many. Those that are hung with bracelets, trackers, watches, headsets, smartphones and cameras.
Users are worried about why the state still doesn’t sell licenses, why they drag out and squander frequency budgets, but no one thinks that life, which is already difficult (especially with the events that are happening now in the country), will become even more complicated. According to my observations, the flow of news (judging mainly from Twitter, less from Facebook) has grown several times over the year. If earlier I read my Twitter feed once an hour and could easily scroll to the last point, now while you are reading what was written in the last hour, another stack of tweets manages to accumulate - and so on endlessly. Those who have more than 700 followers in their following can generally read the feed continuously and it will be updated constantly.
I will not argue with the fact that the amount of information is growing, and networks must correspond to this volume. After all, you need to pass more information noise through yourself, deliver it to people’s brains more news, pictures, statuses, boobs and stuffing. Networks may be able to cope with all this, but can your consciousness cope?
Therefore, I decided to summarize why the good old 2G networks are better than modern 3G. The basis for my thoughts was purely mobile portable technologies in the form of smartphones. So here are 5 reasons why 2G is better than 3G:
- Device autonomy. At the time of large brick-like phones, battery energy was spent mainly on the radio module for communication. Today, the battery charge rarely lasts for a day: huge screens, constant online presence and high power consumption of chips that operate in 3G mode do not contribute to a moderate energy appetite.
- Device safety, or physical resistance to normal use. What I mean is that my old Philips Savvy or the same Nokia 3310 could fall with virtually no consequences. I could open beer with them, knock someone's eye out, knock on a door. Today, smartphones are fragile sissies, the huge screens of which break when dropped onto the carpet from a height of half a meter.
- Dependence good coverage networks. No matter what anyone says, no matter what arguments about better penetration I didn’t produce a radio signal at certain frequencies, but I’m sure that before there was no such scrupulousness about the signal level. There was a network - the phone was ringing (it’s better not to think about the SAR level). Now, if the coverage is not so good, then the Internet will work either poorly, intermittently, or not at all. And high-quality 3G coverage very much depends on the area’s development, terrain and other factors that affect the quality of communication.
- Consistency in hardware. Mobile phones Have been using it for several years and it hasn't become outdated. Nowadays, new models with “improved” characteristics appear almost every six months, and if you use a smartphone from last year, then in the eyes of some (read about them in my last essay) you will look like a poor loser. Company marketers simply force us to spend a lot of money to follow trends and fashion.
- Lack of constant attention span. If you are used to using your smartphone to the fullest, I listed above some of what happens to you during the day. Messages, statuses, news, check-ins, video calls... With a 2G phone, you only had access to voice, and then only when you wanted it. You could turn off your phone and fall out information space. Now, at least someone, at least somehow, will get at you (statuses about the delivery and reading of a message, “user so-and-so has logged into Skype,” etc.).
And yet, despite the fact that 3G is kind of modern and we can’t live without it, I believe that 3G is evil (of course, not absolute - here Mikh. Mikh. Poplavsky cannot be surpassed) and with 2G it was better, calmer and more lampish.