From 2G to 5G: A comprehensive review of mobile network technologies for smart grid communications

Abstract

Their wide coverage, scalability and cost-effective infrastructure have made mobile cellular networks key enablers of smart grid modernization. This review systematically traces how mobile network technology has evolved from second-generation (2G) through fifth-generation (5G) systems, looks at how each generation has been applied in smart grid settings, and sets out what each generation could and could not do. Early on, second-generation GSM and GPRS supported basic Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) and simple SCADA polling, but high latency and unidirectional communication constrained what these networks could realistically support. Third-generation UMTS and HSPA improved on this by introducing bidirectional Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), including remote connect and disconnect capability, which in turn made large-scale smart meter rollouts practical. With fourth-generation latency dropped to 20–50 ms, enabling real-time distribution automation and Phasor Measurement Unit (PMU) streaming. Fifth-generation NR takes this further still, introducing Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communication (URLLC) with latency as low as 1–5 ms, along with network slicing and Massive Machine-Type Communication (mMTC), which together address most of the remaining barriers to wireless grid protection. Global pilot projects across Europe, China, and North America have validated these capabilities in live grid environments. Still Mobile communications for Smart Grids are facing challenges, including rural coverage economics, cybersecurity threats and legacy system migration. Each generation has systematically resolved the critical limitations of its predecessor, with 5G representing the most comprehensive wireless solution for smart grid applications to date.