Short-form for generations of wireless technologies:
- 2G stands for second generation primarily meaning GSM only;
- 2.5G primarily means GSM and GPRS;
- 2.75G was used to refer to EDGE (Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution) Networks;
- 3G means third generation (W-CDMA) technology;
- 4G includes the Mobile WiMAX, and the first-release Long-Term Evolution (LTE) standards;
- 5G is the latest standard and is intended to not just provide connectivity for cellphones but for ubiquitous connectivity in a wide range of devices in the so called Internet of Things (IoT.)
The EU is sponsoring projects to better define and develop 5G including METIS, 5GNOW, iJOIN, TROPIC, Mobile Cloud Networking, COMBO, MOTO and PHYLAWS.