Which Country Started 1G Internet Network and When?

Introduction

In today’s digital age, it is hard to imagine life without fast and reliable mobile internet. From 5G rollouts to experimental 6G technologies, the journey of mobile networks has been fascinating and transformative. However, everything began with the first-generation (1G) mobile network, a system that revolutionized communication and set the foundation for the modern internet era.

The question that often arises is: which country started the 1G internet network and when did it happen? The answer takes us back to the early 1980s, when mobile communication was still a luxury and far from the ultra-fast speeds we know today. This article will provide a detailed explanation, historical background, pricing insights, and a clear timeline of how 1G began and evolved.

What is 1G?

Before we dive into the history, let’s clarify what 1G (First Generation) really was.

• 1G Definition: The first-generation mobile network refers to the analog cellular system that allowed people to make voice calls wirelessly for the first time.

• Technology: Unlike today’s digital networks, 1G was purely analog, which meant lower quality, higher noise interference, and no encryption for calls.

• Services Offered: The 1G system only supported voice communication. There was no SMS, no internet browsing, and certainly no video calling.

While 1G wasn’t technically “internet” in the way we understand it today, it was the first step in mobile connectivity, paving the way for 2G and beyond, which eventually brought mobile internet.

Which Country Started 1G Internet Network?

The world’s first 1G network was launched in Japan in 1979 by NTT (Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation).

Key Milestones:

1. Japan (1979)

   • NTT introduced the first commercial 1G network in Tokyo.

   • By 1984, the network had expanded nationwide.

   • This made Japan the first country in the world to offer cellular communication to the public.

2. Nordic Countries (1981)

   • Shortly after Japan, the Nordic Mobile Telephone (NMT) system was introduced in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Finland in 1981.

   • The NMT standard became popular across Europe and was one of the first to support international roaming.

3. USA (1983)

   • The United States launched its 1G network in Chicago in 1983, operated by Ameritech Mobile Communications using the Advanced Mobile Phone System (AMPS) standard.

   • Motorola’s DynaTAC 8000X became the first commercial mobile phone for consumers.

Thus, Japan was the pioneer country that started the 1G network, but soon after, Europe and the USA followed.

When Did 1G Start?

• 1979 – NTT launched the world’s first 1G network in Japan.

• 1981 – Nordic Mobile Telephone (NMT) system began in Scandinavia.

• 1983 – USA introduced the AMPS system.

• 1985 onwards – 1G spread to many countries including the UK, Germany, and others.

So, the official start date of 1G mobile networking is 1979 in Japan.

How Much Did 1G Services Cost?

In today’s world, mobile data plans are relatively affordable, but back in the 1G era, mobile phones and subscriptions were incredibly expensive.

1G Phone Prices:

• Motorola DynaTAC 8000X (1983)

  • Price: Around $3,995 USD (equivalent to over $10,000 in 2025 money).

  • Weight: Over 1 kilogram.

  • Battery life: Only 30 minutes of talk time.

• In Japan, early mobile phones were luxury devices costing several thousand dollars, affordable only to business executives or wealthy individuals.

1G Subscription Costs:

• Monthly service fees ranged from $100 to $200 USD in the 1980s.

• Call rates were about 40–50 cents per minute in the USA, which made mobile phones impractical for long conversations.

Accessibility:

• 1G was a status symbol. Owning a mobile phone meant wealth and prestige.

• Due to high prices, fewer than 1% of the global population had access to mobile networks in the 1980s.

Limitations of 1G

While 1G was groundbreaking, it had several drawbacks:

1. Poor Voice Quality – Calls often had static noise.

2. No Security – Signals were unencrypted, so calls could be intercepted.

3. Short Battery Life – Phones had limited talk time.

4. Very Expensive – Devices and services were out of reach for most people.

5. No Internet – 1G did not support SMS or data, only analog voice calls.

Despite these limitations, 1G laid the foundation for the future.

How 1G Evolved into Modern Mobile Internet

The launch of 1G in Japan was the first step. Each subsequent generation built upon it:

• 2G (1991) – Introduced in Finland by Radiolinja, it was digital and enabled SMS (text messaging).

• 3G (2001) – Brought mobile internet browsing, introduced by NTT DoCoMo in Japan.

• 4G (2009) – Introduced high-speed broadband internet on mobile devices.

• 5G (2019 onwards) – Revolutionized speeds with ultra-low latency and gigabit internet connections.

• 6G (expected 2030) – Under development, promising even faster speeds and AI-powered connectivity.

Thus, the seeds planted by 1G in Japan in 1979 grew into today’s global mobile internet ecosystem.

Global Adoption of 1G by Countries

1. Japan (1979) – First commercial system (NTT).

2. Nordic Region (1981) – First roaming-enabled network (NMT).

3. USA (1983) – AMPS by Ameritech.

4. UK (1985) – Vodafone launched the UK’s first 1G network.

5. Germany (1985) – C-Netz introduced.

6. Australia (1987) – Telecom Australia rolled out its first cellular system.

By the late 1980s, most developed countries had introduced 1G, though adoption remained low due to cost.

Why Japan Was the First Country

Japan’s leadership in technology, particularly telecommunications, allowed it to pioneer mobile networking:

• Government Support: The Japanese government encouraged innovation.

• Tech Companies: Firms like NTT and NEC invested heavily in R&D.

• Urban Demand: Tokyo’s dense population required better communication solutions.

• Global Vision: Japan wanted to be the leader in electronics and communication.

This combination of policy, demand, and innovation made Japan the birthplace of 1G.

The Legacy of 1G

Even though 1G is now obsolete, its impact remains profound:

• First Step Toward Internet Mobility: Without 1G, there would be no 4G or 5G today.

• Inspired Innovation: It encouraged competition among countries to advance technology.

• Cultural Impact: The concept of carrying a phone anywhere was revolutionary.

• Economic Growth: Mobile telecommunications became a trillion-dollar industry.

Prices Comparison: 1G vs Modern Mobile Internet

This comparison shows how drastically prices have dropped and services have improved since the 1G era.

So, which country started the 1G internet network and when?

• Japan was the first country, launching the world’s first commercial 1G mobile network in 1979, developed by NTT.

• Soon after, Europe and the USA followed with their own systems.

• While 1G only allowed basic voice calls and was extremely expensive, it marked the birth of mobile communication.

Today, mobile networks have advanced to 5G with gigabit internet speeds, and research is ongoing for 6G. But none of this would have been possible without the pioneering step Japan took in 1979 with 1G.

The story of 1G is not just about technology—it’s about human progress, innovation, and the dream of connecting people worldwide.