What is a SIM card

A SIM card, also known as a subscriber identity module, is a smart card that stores data for GSM cellular telephone subscribers. Such data includes user identity, location and phone number, network authorization data, personal security keys, contact lists and stored text messages. Security features include authentication and encryption to protect data and prevent eavesdropping.

A SIM card and can be switched easily from one phone set to another. The portability of data offers a number of benefits. For example, a user that buys a new phone can install the current SIM card to associate the new phone with the same number and user preferences as the old one. In another common situation, if a phone’s battery runs out of power, the user can easily install the card to another subscriber’s phone to borrow it without running up that user’s minutes. Some vendors offer prepaid SIM cards that can provide travelers with local numbers, as long as their cell phones are not locked to a specific carrier.

A device called a SIM card reader can be used to upload data from a SIM card to a computer or other device.

Ever wonder what exactly that tiny SIM card in the side of your AT&T/GSM iPhone or iPad 3G is and what it does? The short answer is, it’s a Subscriber Identity Module, and it is a small circuit board which is placed in your iPhone (or any GSM phone) in order to identify it to your carrier. It’s why you can swap SIMs in GSM phones and your phone number, voice, and data plans are swapped right along with it. Unfortunately, it’s also why you can’t just take a SIM-locked AT&T iPhone and run in on another carrier. For the long answer, stay with us after the break!

A SIM card is internationally identified by its Integrated circuit card identifier (ICC-ID) which is engraved on the body of the card. They are also identified by the carrier from its International mobile subscriber identity (IMSI). Beyond identification, SIM cards (mini SIM in iPhone 2G, iPhone 3G, and iPhone 3GS and micro SIM in iPhone 4 and iPads), have several other functions.

Look

SIM cards have evolved a lot over the years. All three are 0.76 mm in thickness and run at a speed of 5MHz. The old, original SIM cards were credit card sized. The next and still most common size is the mini SIM, which is 25 mm in length with a width of 15 mm with a cut on the corner so that it is easy to place in the slot properly. Apple began using micro SIM with iPads and iPhone 4. This is the newest standardized SIM size, and is 15 mm × 12 mm. Many carriers provide a mini SIM with the smaller micro SIM punched out inside so that it can be broken off and placed into the phone if needed.

Find the right SIM for your device

We have three types of SIM cards, which all do the same job but differ in size. These SIMs are known as:

Standard

Micro

Nano

Every device is designed to work with a certain size, so ensure you check which one you need for your phone, tablet or mobile broadband/4G WiFi device.

If you’re unsure which SIM size your device needs, you can:

Read your device manual this should include advice on the correct SIM needed

Visit one of our EE stores  for help

Read the info below on SIM sizes

SIM sizes guide

This is the original SIM size and is mainly used in older phones and devices.

Example of devices using the standard SIM:

Apple- iPhone 3GS

Samsung – Galaxy SII, Note

Nokia – 300, 301

HTC – Desire HD

EE Mobile broadband/4G WiFi –  Buzzard, Osprey

Micro SIMs are a smaller size. These are mainly used in smartphones.

If you’re using a recent smartphone and it doesn’t take a micro SIM, you might need a nano SIM

Examples of micro SIM devices:

Apple – iPhone 4/4S

Apple iPad Retina Display

Sony – Xperia S, T, X, Z

HTC – One, One X, One SV, 8X

Nokia – N9, Lumia 720/820

Samsung – Galaxy Express, SIII, S4, Note II

Used with the latest Apple devices, this is the smallest size out of the three.

Examples of nano SIM devices:

Apple – iPhone 5, 5c, 5s and iPad Mini

HTC – One (M8) HTC Desire 610

Multi and Combi SIMs

Multi SIM

This is the latest type of SIM card, which holds all three formats (standard, micro and nano) in one.

Combi SIM

This SIM card can hold either a standard SIM or a micro SIM.

Problems with your SIM

If you’re an existing EE customer and your SIM is not working, or if you need another size, you can order a replacement SIM card.

Here’s a tip though – before ordering a new one, try turning your device off and on again, checking that it’s properly plugged in. These tricks might help to get it going.

What is “GSM”?

GSM is a TDMA based wireless network technology developed in Europe that is used throughout most of the world. GSM phones make use of a SIM card to identify the user’s account. The use of the SIM card allows GSM network users to quickly move their phone number from one GSM phone to another by simply moving the SIM card. Currently GSM networks operate on the 850MHz, 900MHz, 1800MHz, and 1900MHz frequency bands. Devices that support all four bands are called quad-band, with those that support 3 or 2 bands called tri-band and dual-band, respectively. In the United States, Cingular operates on the 850 and 1900MHz bands, while T-Mobile operates only on the 1900MHz band.

Also known as: “Global System for Mobile Communications”, “Groupe Special Mobile”

What is “TDMA”?

TDMA stands for time division multiple access. TDMA is a multiplexing method that divides network connections into time slices, where each device on the TDMA network connection gets one or more time slices during which it can transmit or receive data. TDMA is often used to refer to early digital mobile phone networks that made use of TDMA multiplexing, such as the original network implemented by AT&T/Cingular before it moved to GSM, which is itself based on TDMA technology.

Also known as: “Time Division Multiple Access”

What is “CDMA”?

CDMA stands for code division multiple access, a form of multiplexing that is based on mathematics rather than time slicing (used by TDMA) or frequency hopping. The term is commonly used to refer to phone networks that make use of this form of multiplexing, such as those run in the United States by Verizon, Sprint, and Alltel. CDMA phone networks make use of 1xRTT, 1xEV-DO, and 1xEV-DV for data transfer. The core CDMA technology was developed by Qualcomm.

Also known as: “Code Division Multiple Access”

What is “ESN”?

An ESN is a numeric identifier that uniquely identifies a CDMA phone in the United States. The ESN can typically be found written underneath a phone’s battery and is generally written in both decimal and hexadecimal versions. The ESN is what a CDMA network uses to identify a phone and determine which subscriber’s account, if any, it is linked to. Because of this, when switching from one phone to another, subscribers will have to provide the ESN of the new phone to the network carrier before it can be activated. This can often be done at the carrier’s website. The ESN is slowly being phased out in favor of the MEID, a longer number that is compatible with the IMEI system used in GSM and UMTS phones. This is happening because phone manufacturers are literally running out of ESN identifiers.

Also known as: “Electronic Serial Number”

What is “MEID”?

An MEID is a unique identifier found on CDMA handsets within the United States. The MEID system is compatible with the existing IMEI number system used in GSM and UMTS handsets. It is being phased in to replace the ESN numbers currently used on CDMA devices, since the pool of ESN numbers has been virtually exhausted due to the number of devices in use.

Also known as: “Mobile Equipment Identifier”, “Mobile Equipment Identity”

What is “IMEI”?

An IMEI is a serial number that uniquely identifies a GSM or UMTS mobile phone. Typically 15 digits long, the IMEI code is broken into sections that provide information about a phone, such as its manufacturer, to the mobile network that the phone is connected to. IMEI numbers of stolen devices are blacklisted in some countries so that the phone can not easily be used by a thief. CDMA’s new MEID identifier system is compatible with the existing IMEI structure.

Also known as: “International Mobile Equipment Identity”

What is “UMTS”?

UMTS, short for Universal Mobile Telecommunications System, is a 3G networking standard used throughout much of the world as an upgrade to existing GSM mobile networks. UMTS makes use of WCDMA, a technology that shares much with CDMA networks used throughout the world, though it is not compatible with them. Base level UMTS networks are generally capable of downlink speeds as fast as 384kbps. Newer HSDPA variants are capable of rates as high as 3.6Mbps or more. Originally used only on the 2100MHz frequency band in Europe, UMTS is now supported on the 850MHz and 1900MHz bands in North America.

What is “HSDPA”?

HSDPA stands for high-speed downlink packet access. It is an upgraded form of UMTS in that it allows for faster download speeds. Current implementations of HSDPA can achieve speeds as fast as 3.6Mbps, but future versions are expected to reach 14Mbps. Not to be confused with HSUPA, which is a UMTS upgrade that provides a greatly increased uplink connection for faster uploads.

Also known as: “High-Speed Downlink Packet Access”

What is “Mbps”?

Mbps, with a lower case ‘b’, means “megabits per second”, and is used to state the number of bits of data that can flow through a network connection, also known as bandwidth. MBps (capital ‘B’) refers to megabytes per second, and as such denotes the number of bytes of data that a connection can transfer per second.

What is “802.11b”?

IEEE standard 802.11b defines a Wireless LAN (WLAN) technology that is capable of achieving up to 11Mbps of bandwidth between two devices. It is part of the 802.11 group of technologies that define WiFi.

What is “WiFi”?

A brand of wireless LAN (WLAN) technologies defined by the IEEE 802.11 group of standards. The two WiFi standards most commonly used by personal computers and mobile devices, such as phones, are 802.11b and 802.11g.

Also known as: “802.11”, “Wi-Fi”

What is “802.11g”?

IEEE standard 802.11g defines a Wireless LAN (WLAN) technology that is capable of achieving up to 54Mbps of bandwidth between two devices. It is part of the 802.11 group of technologies that define WiFi.

What is “LTE”?

LTE, short for Long Term Evolution, is considered by many to be the obvious successor to the current generation of UMTS 3G technology, which is based upon WCDMA, HSDPA, HSUPA, and HSPA. LTE is not a replacement for UMTS in the way that UMTS was a replacement for GSM, but rather an update to the UMTS technology that will enable it to provide significantly faster data rates for both uploading and downloading. Verizon Wireless was the first U.S. carrier to widely deploy LTE, though MetroPCS and AT&T have also done so, and Sprint and T-Mobile USA both have plans for LTE. In fact, Sprint is phasing out its WiMAX network in favor of LTE. Verizon Wireless and AT&T currently have incompatible LTE networks, even though they both make use of 700MHz spectrum. AT&T and Verizon Wireless LTE customers often see download speeds that exceed 15Mbps, and upload speeds in the 10Mbps range.

Also known as: “Long Term Evolution”

What is “WCDMA”?

WCDMA stands for Wideband Code Division Multiple Access, and is the 3G technology, as defined by the ITU’s IMT-2000 spec, that is used by UMTS and NTT DoCoMo’s FOMA network. WCDMA makes use of many core CDMA technologies created by Qualcomm, though not nearly as many as do regular CDMA carrier networks. WCDMA networks and devices are not compatible with regular CDMA networks and devices, they merely share some of the same core technologies.

Also known as: “W-CDMA”, “Wideband Code Division Multiple Access”

What is “Qualcomm”?

Qualcomm is a technology company based in San Diego, California. It is the developer and creator of CDMA technology, MediaFLO digital television, and BREW, an application platform supported by most CDMA handsets sold in North America. Qualcomm previously manufactured CDMA handsets, but sold that part of its business of to Kyocera, which then formed Kyocera Wireless.

What is “HSUPA”?

HSUPA stands for high-speed uplink packet access, and is an upgrade to UMTS that allows for uplink connections as fast as 5.76Mbps. HSUPA is similar to EV-DO Rev A in that it can be added to existing networks to increase upload speeds from compatible devices.

Also known as: “High-Speed Uplink Packet Access”

What is 2G, 3G, and 4G?

I’ve been on the forum now for many years and questions about the signal, frequency and the Network info are asked on many occasions. So I’ve wrote this to try and make it as understandable as possible.

What is meant by 2G, 3G and 4G?

2G stand for 2nd Generation Network, 3G is 3rd and you guessed it 4G is 4th Generation.

Other acronyms that you may have heard them being called are

2G = GSM            (Global System for Mobile)

3G = UMTS         (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System)

4G = LTE               (Long Term Evolution)

2G was introduced in the 90s in the UK and allowed us to use Text Messages (SMS), Picture messages (MMS) and Internet (WAP) all though it being rather slow.

Now if you look at your mobile phone / Smartphone. You may noticed either a letter E, G or possible the circle on the iPhone.

For example G stood for GPRS (Dial up modem speeds. Real Slow Internet)

O2 – UK  o (Apple IOS 6.x and below), (Apple IOS 7.x and above now displays gprs)

O2 – UK  G

E Stood for Enhanced, So you got a little faster Internet in theory !

O2 – UK  E

However the 2G network was not fast enough for the consumer so 3G came about.

3G was introduced in around 2003 and brought us Video Calling and Faster Internet. Broadband speeds at the time, but again we wanted more.

So 3G started its upgrade path and was upgraded to the HSPA Family

HSPA = High-Speed Packet Access

There has been a few upgraded to the HSPA family and yes they are calls different names, but all they are is enhancements and faster speeds for us to use.

The latest upgrade going on is DC-HSPDA which is speeds of up to 42 Mbits (Mega bits per second) (Upload Speed this is)

So you may see on your phone

O2 – 3G (On a iPhone’s)

O2 – 3G or H or H+ (Other phone’s)

So if you see any of the above symbols, you know you’re on a 3G Network (or 3rd Generation)

So then what is 4G.

4G is 4th Generation Network which will enable us to go even faster on our mobiles and mobile dongles. Possible speeds achievable are 300Mbs download and 75Mbs Upload, but the Networks have to enable the faster speeds and the Mobile phones again have to have a network chip inside that is capable of these speeds.

So why can some phones work on 4G, 3G and 2G,

Well its all to do with the frequency they are run on and your Receiver Microchip in your phone.

Is way to explain is like a radio in the house or in the car.

There is FM, MW(AM), LW, SW (and others)

Some Radios can only pick up FM, MW(AM)

Some Radios pick up them all.

Mobile phones are no different, but they are called frequencies or Airwaves.

2G GSM have 4 bands in the world (For Mobile phones)

900 MHz used by O2 and Vodafone

1800 MHz used by Orange, T-mobile (Now EE), O2 and Vodafone

850 MHz, 1900 MHz bands are used in USA, Canada and some South American Countries only. (Also CDMA (Code division multiple access) which is another frequency completely different to GSM)

3G UMTS has 5 Bands I know that I used for Mobile phones

900 MHz is currently been used by O2 and Vodafone

2100 MHz is used by all the UK carriers

850 MHz, 1700 MHz and 1900 MHz are again bands that are used in USA, Canada and some South American Countries only. (And again enhanced CDMA (CDMA 2000) another difference to UMTS)

So why will 4G (LTE) be problems for manufactures

First problem is that 4G can be known as 4G or LTE (Long-Term Evolution)

Well 2G and 3G had a set amount of frequencies that were utilised and that the mobile manufactures were told they could only use.

4G however hasn’t had that sort of guidance and its become a free for all in the Mobile industry.

This is where the problem lies.

2G has 4 different bands, 3G has 5, 4G has 35+ frequencies and is still counting.

And this is causing issues.

UK is allowed to use 800 MHz, 2600 GHz and some 1800 MHz that is spare and not being used on 2G

800 MHz and 2600 GHz was sold by Ofcom in 2014 and bought by all the UK Mobile operators

EE was allowed to re use there spare 1800 MHz which Ofcom approved as the UK was falling well behind most countries in not having a 4G network.

EE started 4G in October 2012

O2 and Vodafone Started 4G on August 2013

Three Started officially March 2014

O2 purchased 800 MHz and is obliged to provide 98% UK population indoor coverage by 2017

Vodafone purchased 800 MHz and 2600 GHz

EE used spare 1800 MHz from 2G and purchased 800 MHZ and 2600 GHz

Three took 1800 MHz requested by Ofcom of EE and purchased 800 MHz as well

Now before you start to say, well some networks have more than others, It doesn’t work like this. Each network purchased Chunks of the Frequency and some purchase more than others.

Most of EU and Asia, are using 800 MHz, 1800 MHz and 2600 GHz, however you also have 850 MHz, 2300 MHz, 900 MHz for some parts of the world and again

Americas use a completely different frequency (700 Mhz 2 different bands, 2100 MHz, 1700 MHz) and also use can use another different technologies completely (Again another different structure of frequency called Mobile WiMAX)

List of Networks on Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_LTE_networks

Beleive me when I say its a Eye opener or confusion.

The iPhone 5 for the UK will use 2G and 3G on O2 and Vodafone only.

On EE and Three the iPhone 5 will be able to use 4G and is as we speak on both Networks as the iPhone 5 supports 1800 MHz.

O2 and Vodafone I don’t believe have enough spare frequency of 1800 MHz to convert and this is why 4G may never come on this networks on the iPhone 5

iPhone 5 in the EU utilises the 850 MHz, 1800 MHz and 2100 MHz frequency only.

iPhone 5 in USA utilises different frequencies as US networks are on different ones to us.

(To also make matters worse, US and some countries again chooses a different technology to LTE. They choose Mobile WiMAX)

iPhone 5S / 5C is able to utilise all the 4G frequencies in the UK/EU I believe so this is 800, 1800, 2600mhz

Now you may have recently taking you phone to the USA and you don’t have a LTE phone (4G), but noticed the phone may have said 4G? (More on the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4s)

Well you weren’t really on 4G. Some American Networks says that there old 3G network is just as fast or nearly as fast as there 4G LTE network and therefore it should be called that. As there is no harmonised regarding 4G, this was agreed and so in the USA Some have named there old 3G to 4G (Due to the speeds and nothing else) So you can see its really confusing for customers.

Last thing on 4G LTE I promise. To make Matters worse for example. 2600mhz is band 7 and 38. Even tho you phone may support 4g 2600mhz, it also has to support its band number as well.

4G is going to fun lol

Why can’t mobile phones use them all. Technology, price and size of the Chip.

One day as new Micro Chips come out, we may be able to use more 4G networks, but until the time comes, we have to make do with what we have.

I really hope the above is helpful and has been somewhat useful. I have tried to make it understandable as I know that the world of mobile phones is somewhat confusing.

What is 5G?

At this stage, it is just a concept. Networks are focused on increasing coverage and data speeds but no standards have been agreed upon yet. What we do know is the International Telecommunication Union allows carriers to call anything 4G so long as it offers a “substantial level of improvement in performance and capabilities” over 3G. So we can speculate that 5G will simply be anything significantly better than 4G.

What does that mean for us?

Samsung has already delivered impressive data speeds of 1GB per second using the technology and it has been suggested mobile users connected to a 5G network could download an entire film in just one second. If researchers at Cornell University are right, 5G will offer consumers a “seamless user experience”. The impressive speeds of the technology will put an end to impatient waits and laggy apps. We have all suffered the frustration of an out of sync video call or an online video buffer, but experts predict that these niggles will be a thing of the past when 5G launches.

How will it work?

Multiple input multiple output (MiMo) technology is set to be a key part of these efficiency measures, according to researchers . MiMo uses several small antennae to service individual data streams. Samsung’s impressive download speeds were delivered using the technology.

5G is also likely to use many more base stations, including macro sites and smaller stations employing a range of radio technologies, to ensure better coverage. The Australian minister for communications, Malcolm Turnbull, even suggested that there could soon be a 5G base station on every home and lamppost. If it works well down under, the measure could be adopted throughout the world.

How much will the service set us back?

Data prices have been steadily falling, from around 46 cents per megabyte in 2008 to just between one and three cents today. However, it is unclear whether data rates will stay low once 5G takes hold. In fact, South Korea’s minister of engineering, science, and technology believes that companies there will spend more than $300bn (£181bn) on 5G technology and infrastructure. If this estimate is true, then early 5G mobile adopters should not be surprised if they see a small bump in their bills.

Will we need to shell out for a bank-breaking new phone too?

Yup. Existing smartphones and mobile devices are not equipped to take advantage of 5G technology. Samsung, LG Uplus and Huwaei are already playing with new 5G technologies. While these developments are in their infancy, the devices are likely to have much greater battery lives. 5G will allow mobile users to work faster and perform much more powerful tasks. If they can download a movie every second, they will need a battery that can keep up. New 5G phones might also have multiple antennae for fewer dropouts. Current devices can house no more than two antennae, but there is no telling how many future devices could have. It is unclear at this point what other features 5G devices may have, but experts suggest that there will be plenty of connected gadgets in our homes.

How long do we have to wait?

Given the natural life cycle of network development, we would have expected to see 5G arrive around 2021. However, the mobile-loving South Korea government has invested $1.5bn in upgrades  that should see a trial 5G network rolled out in 2017. The rest of South Korea should be connected to 5G by 2020. Karl Bode, a tech writer, suggests that 5G will not hit the United States until 2018 at the earliest, or perhaps not until the 2020 Olympic Games. It is not likely to be a mainstream service until 2025. It might be a few years away, but the implications of 5G are enough to get tech-savvy consumers excited.

5G in London by 2020?

So you thought that 4G was the next generation in mobile networks? If so, we have news for you: it’s already here, so it can’t be.

All of which raises the obvious question: what’s next? Why, 5G of course!

We’re not being flippant here. 5G is indeed a thing. In fact, a recent announcement from London Mayor Boris Johnson has revealed that the UK’s capital city will be 5G-ready by 2020.

So what is 5G, and why on earth should you care about it when a good number of us here in the UK don’t even have 4G yet?

Are there likely to be any benefits aside from speed?

Definitely. One of the chief complaints with 4G is that it offers a new level of speed, but sticks its users with the same old data restrictions. At their worst, current 4G contracts are a little like someone giving you the keys to a new Ferrari, but only allowing you to drive to the end of your street and back.

It’s estimated 5G technology will offer upwards of 1,000 times the capacity of 4G. This means that there’ll be more space for everyone to access this advanced network, which should negate the need for mobile operators to throttle or limit your access to their networks.

Another benefit of 5G that everyone seems to agree on is reduced latency. It should take significantly less time for data transfers to take place, which means that those streaming videos should start pretty much immediately after you press play.

Another likely benefit of 5G technology is that it will be able to reach areas current networks cannot. Regardless of the technology adopted, it’s thought that there will by multiple smaller antennas employed, allowing signals to be emitted in multiple directions and even bounced off off buildings and solid surfaces.

What’s the technology behind it?

We should reiterate that no firm 5G standard has been agreed on as yet, and that there may even be multiple standards all operating under a loose 5G banner.

Huawei, for example, believes that “5G radio access will be built upon both new radio access technologies (RAT) and evolved existing wireless technologies (LTE, HSPA, GSM and WiFi).”

That being said, various entities working on potential 5G network standards, including Samsung and researchers at New York University, have come up with the idea of utilising millimeter-wave frequencies.

This frequency range lies between 3 to 300MHz, which is much higher than current network standards. The main advantage of using this frequency range is that it’s scarcely used by other broadcast technologies.

The result is the potential for greater speeds, as well as the capacity for more data to be drawn through it.

Millimeter-wave frequencies don’t pass through solid objects very well, and it’s difficult to sustain them over long distances, which is why they haven’t been used in previous mobile networks. As a result, any 5G networks that adopt this approach will likely use lots of little base stations rather than relatively few large masts.

The increase in spectrum means that these smaller base stations will be able to share data between one another as well as with everyone’s phones, smartly detecting how much data each user needs to access at any one time and doling it out accordingly.

It’s also worth noting that use of millimeter-wave frequencies requires approval by various regulatory bodies, so don’t start counting those 5G chickens just yet.

When will 5G arrive?

As we’ve mentioned elsewhere, the plan is to get London up and running with 5G by 2020. This should make it among the first areas in the world to receive this next gen network.

We’re a little far out to speculate on when the rest of the country might get the benefits of 5G, but if the recent switch to 4G is anything to go by, it should start spreading out pretty soon after its capital debut.

Of course, the likely need for new antenna installations could see a longer delay on the rest of the UK getting 5G, but it’s all speculation at this point.

Who Is Developing 5G Networks?

South Korea recently announced a $1.5 billion investment  in 5G infrastructure upgrades, and intends to roll out a limited trial network by 2017, with full availability by 2020. South Korea is an ideal testing ground for mobile technology, given its dense, compact geography and mobile phone usage: Nearly 80 percent of the general population — including 97.7 percent of 18-24 year olds — use smartphones. The United States, Japan, and the EU are also testing 5G technology, but South Korea’s investment and commitment dwarfs other efforts.

How Much Will 5G Networks Cost?

It’s impossible to know yet how 5G technology will affect mobile phone and data rates, but South Korea’s Minister of Engineering, Science and Technology estimates that private companies will spend over $300 billion in 5G infrastructure and technology over the coming decade to take 5G worldwide, and competition will be fierce. Data prices have continuously fallen over the past decade, from about 46 cents per megabyte in 2008 to between 2 and 3 cents currently. Industry watchers say that a successful 5G network would provide 50 gigabytes of data per person per month.

What Will Be Different?

Right now, there are no 5G phones and devices to use the new technology, although manufacturers like Samsung, LG, and HTC are experimenting with new designs. No one knows for sure what features a 5G phone or device will have. In addition, companies like Netflix will have to decide whether they want to make their data available at 5G speeds, so there are a lot of variables affecting the future of mobile technology.

While the specifics are unclear, the 5G concept is mind-boggling and complex. Once implemented worldwide, mobile industry experts say the network will have space for over 7 trillion connected devices in the coming decade—and each individual will have at least 10 connections, including smartphones, tablets and smart appliances. The 2G network focused on voice, 3G on data, and 4G on video; the new 5G network will be all about connections.