Definition: 3G

(3rd Generation) The third version of a product or system. For example, the third generation of cellular transmission featured moderately high speed for Internet access compared to the earlier and slow 2G systems. Like 1G and 2G cellular, 3G was a circuit-switched network, which changed to packets with 4G (see LTE).

In the U.S., the 3G technologies were EV-DO for CDMA networks and HSPA for GSM carriers. In the early 2020s, carriers began shutting off their 3G networks shifting all resources to 4G and the emerging 5G. By the end of 2022, 3G service was discontinued in the U.S. See 2G/3G architecture, cellular generations, EV-DO, HSPA, LTE and 5G.

The Network Makes a Difference

Although slow by today's cellular systems, 3G was a vast improvement over very sluggish 2G networks. These iPhone speed tests taken in 2009 showed 3G ten times faster than 2G EDGE (E). Speed is based on the network technology and number of active users in the cell. See EDGE.