We've seen the shift from 3G to 5G, but consumers always wonder: is this tech progress real, or just a slick marketing ploy to sell more gadgets? Sure, companies need to sell what they make, but every day, new software solutions pop up that demand more from our devices.

If today I advise you to buy a phone with 128 MB of capacity, 90% of people will find it more than enough. But if tomorrow a new app comes out needing more memory, you might say, "What a piece of advice you gave me! My phone feels small as soon as I bought it." We'd both be right since I can't predict the future, and I didn't know that new tech would take off or require more memory.

Let's dive into the nitty-gritty of how we've evolved from 3G to 5G, and I'll let you in on a little secret: they're already working on 6G. Thanks to some recent breakthroughs at universities, they've figured out a system that could let mobiles talk to each other with way fewer antennas than before. This spells savings and, more importantly, better coverage. Unfortunately, our current phones aren't quite ready for this.

3G: THE FIRST MOBILE REVOLUTION

Back in 2001, 3G hit the scene like a tornado in the mobile world. This tech allowed for high-speed data transmission, unlocking doors to new apps like web browsing, music and video downloads, and smooth video streaming. The big leap from 2G to 3G? It all came down to using new radio frequencies with wider bandwidth. 2G radio frequencies had a bandwidth of 200 kHz to 1 MHz, while 3G's stretched from 5 MHz to 20 MHz. That meant more data transmission at once, leading to faster speeds. When 2G mobile phones were created, no one imagined those frequencies would be used. Thanks to 3G, things with mobile phones became possible that were unthinkable until then:

• Internet browsing: 3G enabled fast and easy Internet browsing, opening the door to new applications like information search, email, or social media.
• Downloading music and videos: 3G made it possible to download music and videos quickly and easily, leading to the emergence of new services like Spotify or Netflix.
• Video streaming: 3G enabled smooth video streaming, giving rise to new services like YouTube or Twitch.

4G: THE SECOND MOBILE REVOLUTION

Fast forward to 2010, and 4G blasts onto the scene, bringing with it another mobile revolution. This tech delivers even faster data speeds, making room for new apps like virtual reality, augmented reality, and autonomous cars. The big leap from 3G to 4G? New modulation and encoding technologies that allow for even more data transmission at once, again boosting data speeds. Yep, time to recycle those old devices once more! Maybe the best examples of apps that came with 4G were:

• Virtual and augmented reality: 4G lets you stream images and videos in real-time, crucial for virtual reality. Plus, it allows for overlaying virtual images and videos onto reality, essential for augmented reality.
• Autonomous cars: With 4G, autonomous cars can communicate with each other and their surroundings, crucial for safe operation. Don't get too mad when you buy a car and realize they're all going autonomous soon, and you have to retire yours…

5G: THE FUTURE OF MOBILE

Fast forward again to 2019, and 5G hits the stage, marking a qualitative leap in the mobile world. This tech offers even faster data speeds, paving the way for new applications impossible with previous technologies. The big leap from 4G to 5G? New radio frequencies with higher bandwidth and new modulation and encoding technologies—combining the two improvements from before. The main applications emerging thanks to 5G are:

• Telemedicine: 5G allows for real-time transmission of medical images and videos, potentially revolutionizing healthcare.
• Distance learning: 5G enables high-quality online classes, making education more accessible to everyone.
• Smart manufacturing: 5G lets machines communicate with each other quickly and efficiently, potentially automating production.

6G: A STILL DISTANT (OR NOT) FUTURE

6G is the next generation of mobile networks still in development. This tech could allow for data speeds of up to 1Tbps, which is just more power. We don't know yet what new applications will be created thanks to this technological leap. It's expected to launch in the 2030s with even higher data speeds, lower latency, and greater capacity than 5G. Playing the guru here, it has the potential to transform our lives, and while it's more science fiction than scientific evidence, I dare to share some examples of what might become uses for 6G:

• Immersive virtual and augmented reality: 6G will allow for even more immersive and realistic VR and AR experiences. For example, creating virtual worlds where people can interact naturally or simulations to help people learn or train in new skills.
• Remote control of robots: 6G will enable remote control of robots with very low latency. This could have applications in industry, medicine, or defense. For example, it could be used to control robots in factories without the need for operators to be present, or for remote surgeries.
• Cybersecurity: 6G will be more secure than previous generations of mobile networks. This is because it will use new security technologies, such as encryption and authentication.
• Automation: 6G will enable more processes and tasks to be automated. For example, it could be used to control autonomous vehicles or to automate energy management.

In the end, people and technology evolve, and while the results aren't always the best, just look at history and our current quality of life—it's immensely better than in the Renaissance, the Middle Ages, or perhaps even the last century.