What is the difference between 2g and 3g networks?

The license fee to be paid for3G network is much higher as compared to2G networks The speed of data transmission in2G network is less than50,000 bits per sec while in3G it can be more than4 million bits per sec.
The main function of2G technology is the transmission of information via voice signals while that of3G technologies is data transfer via video conferencing, MMS etc.
The features like mobile TV, video transfers and GPS systems are the additional features of3G technology that are not available with2G technologies.
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They are totally different,

but the main diffrence is in their access method which3G is using WCDMA (mostly) or CDMA but GSM or2G is using FDMA/TDMA.

 

In2g the frequency BW less than3g so2g used for voice calling but3g used for data packet browsing live streaming video call etc. And3g give u speed depend on the site u connect with it I mean the bts tower if u r alone connect with a tower u will take the hull speed it reach2 to4 Mbps but if there is people connected with u they will share the speed with u .. in4g the speed reach45 Mbs for upload and download

3G working on one frequency band for each carrier, while2G works in deffernt frequency for each site.    so3G is much easrier for planning than2G.              3G gives bigger frequency BW rather than2G.                3G gives higher throughput for data traffic rather than2G.

first:2G: 

use digital technology , ind use ( TDMA-based and CDMA -based standard) 

Allow slow data communication.

3G:

support broadband voice, data and multimedia communication over wireless network.

use (CDMA-UMTS-HSDPA-WCDMA).

Normally GSM network is referred by2G and UMTS/WCDMA networks referred by3G.
GSM is mostly designed for voice service and you will get very low data speed in the GSM system.
In the3G enhanced systems such as DC-HSPA+ you will get massive data flow compare to GSM network.