Generations
| Generation | Launch | What it brought |
|---|---|---|
| 1G | 1979 | Analogue calls, easy to eavesdrop |
| 2G (GSM) | 1991 | Digital voice, SIM cards, SMS |
| 3G | 2001 | Internet on the phone, video calls |
| 4G (LTE) | 2009 | Home-like speeds, streaming, apps |
| 5G | 2019 | Gigabit speeds, millions of devices per km² |
GSM, a European success
Europe agreed on one common standard, GSM. A phone could work across Europe and later almost worldwide. The first GSM call was made by Finnish Prime Minister Harri Holkeri in 1991.
In Slovakia
Digital GSM networks in Slovakia were launched in 1997 by Globtel (now Orange) and EuroTel (now Telekom). Operators are now switching off older networks and using the freed frequencies for 4G and 5G.
What's next
Work is under way on 6G, expected around 2030. Phones are also starting to connect directly to satellites, for example via Starlink.