United Kingdom
Mobile networks and carriers in United Kingdom use 2 GSM bands, 2 UMTS bands, and 4 LTE bands.
Frequency band introduction
2G capabilities GSM 900, GSM 18003G capabilities UMTS 900, UMTS 2100
4G capabilities LTE 800, LTE 1800, LTE 2600
2G, first introduced in 1992, is the second-generation of cellular telephone technology and the first to use digital encryption of conversations. 2G networks were the first to offer data services and SMS text messaging, but their data transfer rates are lower than those of their successors.
3G networks succeed 2G ones, offering faster data transfer rates and are the first to enable video calls. This makes them especially suitable for use in modern smartphones, which require constant high-speed internet connection for many of their applications.
4G is the fourth generation of mobile phone communications standards. It is a successor of the 3G and provides ultra-broadband internet access for mobile devices. The high data transfer rates make 4G networks suitable for use in USB wireless modems for laptops and even home internet access.
2G in UK
GSM900 uses the radio frequency range 890-915 MHz for receive and 935-960 MHz for transmit. RF carriers are spaced every 200 kHz, allowing a total of 124 carriers for use. DCS1800 uses the radio frequency range 1710-1785 MHz for receive and 1805-1880 MHz for transmit. RF carriers are spaced every 200 kHz, allowing a total of 373 carriers for use (one used as a guard band).