Editing 2G (section)

{{Short description|First generation of digital cellular networks}}
{{Other uses|2G (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2023}}
{{List of mobile phone generations}}
'''2G''' refers to the second-generation of [[cellular network]] technology, which were rolled out globally starting in the early 1990s. The main differentiator to previous mobile telephone systems, retrospectively dubbed [[1G]], is that the radio signals of 2G networks are [[Digital data|digital]] rather than [[Analog signal|analog]], for communication between [[Mobile device|mobile devices]] and [[Cell tower|base stations]]. In addition to [[voice telephony]], 2G also made possible the use of [[Mobile data|data]] services.

The most common 2G technology has been the [[GSM]] standard, which became the first globally adopted framework for [[Mobile telephony|mobile communications]]. Other 2G technologies include [[cdmaOne]] and the now-discontinued [[Digital AMPS]] (D-AMPS/TDMA),<ref>{{cite web |date=16 January 2017 |title=2G Sunset Brings Faster Speeds, Newer Technologies |url=https://about.att.com/innovationblog/2g_sunset |access-date=27 January 2023}}</ref> as well the [[Personal Digital Cellular]] (PDC) and [[Personal Handy-phone System]] (PHS) in Japan.

The transition to digital technology enabled the implementation of [[Secure voice|encryption]] for voice calls and data transmission, significantly improving the security of mobile communications while also increasing capacity and efficiency compared to earlier analog systems. 2G networks were primarily designed to support voice calls and Short Message Service ([[SMS]]), with later advancements such as General Packet Radio Service ([[General Packet Radio Service|GPRS]]) enabling always-on packet data services, including [[email]] and limited [[internet access]]. 2G was succeeded by [[3G]] technology, which provided higher data transfer rates and expanded mobile internet capabilities.