Cellular connectivity
Skills: none
IT concepts: cellular generations and their characteristics, speed and coverage variation
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Where does this topic fit?
• Internet concepts– Applications– Technology (communication)– Implications
• Internet skills– Application development– Content creation (images)
Decade 1980s, 1G 1990s, 2G 2000s, 3G 2010s, 4G
Coverage Outdoor In/outdoor Global roaming
Global roaming
Applications Business voice
Consumer voice
Voice and some data
Voice is one type of data
Data speed 9.6-28kbps Up to 100 kbps
Up to 2 mbps, slower in a car
Up to 100 mbps
Status Obsolete Deployed Deploying now LTE, WiMaxbeginning
Connection mode
Circuit Circuit Packet -- always on
Packet -- always on
Cell phone improvement
Coverage improves with further investment
AT&T wireless coverage More on coverage and speed variability
Cell phone
Micro cell
Homeaccesspoint
Internet
Gateway
Cellnetwork
Femtocells for “five bars” at home