Differences Between GPRS, EDGE, 3G, HSPDA, HSPA+ And 4G LTE

While connecting to a internet network with your mobile phone you may see various symbols like E, 3G, H, H+, LTE but some people may not know what are the differences between these symbols E, 3G, H, H+, LTE. Here I am  sharing my little knowledge about this topic in case you might confused about it too like me :).

E - EDGE
3G - 3rd Generation
H - HSDPA
H+ -HSPA
LTE - 4G Long Term Evolution

These are the different generations of wireless communication technology categorized based on the Speed range and it simply refers 1G, 2G, 3G, 4G etc.


Differences Between GPRS, EDGE, 3G, HSPDA, HSPA+ And 4G LTE

Bellow are the Differences Between GPRS, EDGE, 3G, HSPDA, HSPA+ And 4G LTE networks

GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) 

General Packet Radio Service (GPRS)  is a packet-based wireless communication service. In Packet based communication data is broken into packets before being transmitted to the network.  It is a 2G (2nd Generation) technology network that supports the download speed of up to 114Kbps. The main limitation of GPRS network is data cannot be transferred while a voice call is in progress.


EDGE(Enhanced Data GSM Evolution)

Both GPRS and EDGE are 2G technology networks but Enhanced Data GSM Evolution simply EDGE is significantly faster  than GPRS with a download speed of up to 384Kbps. EDGE is sometimes called a 2.5G network as it also has some characteristics of a 3G network but it doesn't satisfy the specification.


3G (UMTS / 3rd Generation Network)

UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) is also called 3G. Introduction of 3G network made video calling and seamless streaming of video possible. The 3G network supports the download speed of up to 3.1Mbps.


HSDPA(High-Speed Down-link Packet Access)

High-Speed Down-link Packet Access HSDPA is based on the 3G network and an enhancement to 3G and it also called 3.5G. It has a download speed can be up to 14Mbps. 


HSPA+(Evolved High-Speed Packet Access)

HSPA+ is an evolution HSPA (HSDPA & HSUPA). It is a 4G technology that allows download at a rate of up to 168Mbps. HSDPA+ is generally present where 3G is present - many mid range to high end devices support these speeds.


4G / LTE(Long Term Evolution)

4G communication standard is based on the WiMAX/or LTE (Long Term Evolution) that supports HD video streaming, download speed as high as 299.6Mbps.

Here is the speed differences between GPRS, EDGE, 3G, HSPDA, HSPA+ And 4G LTE networks

GPRS(114Kbps)  <  EGDE(368Kbps)  <  3G(3.1Mbps)  <  HSDPA(14Mbps)  <  HSPA+(168Mbps)  <  4G/LTE(299.6Mbps)


Here is the summary :

GPRS (General packet radio services) 2.5G -- Upto 144Kbps
EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution) 2.75G -- Upto 368Kbps
UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) 3G -- Upto 3.1Mbps
HSDPA(High-Speed Down-link Packet Access) 3.5 G - Upto 14Mbps.
HSPA+ (Evolved High-Speed Packet Access)  -- up to 168Mbps
LTE (Long Term Evolution) 4G -- Upto 299.6Mbps.

Speed mentioned here are the theoretical maximum speeds that supports the network and actual speed range always less.

What comes after 4G? Well, 5G of course. Now people are working on developing a 5G network with a potential speed of 1 gigabit per second (1Gbps)


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