3G or 3rd Generation Mobile Telecommunications

Third Generation or 3G is a generic term used for the next generation of mobile communication systems. The 3G network gives you the power of higher speeds to enjoy multimedia services , high speed mobile broadband and internet access with the ability to view videos on your mobile handset. With a 3G phone and access to the 3G network you can make video calls, watch live TV, access high speed internet and enjoy live streaming at never before speeds. Recent 3G releases, often denoted 3.5G and 3.75G, also provide mobile broadband access of several Mbit/s to smartphones and mobile modems in laptop computers.

First Country to introduce 3G

The first pre-commercial 3G network was launched by NTT DoCoMo in Japan, branded as FOMA. It was first available in May 2001 as a pre-release (test) of W-CDMA technology. The first commercial launch of 3G was also by NTT DoCoMo in Japan on 1 October 2001. Today there are about 60 3G networks across 25 countries. The first commercial United States 3G network was by Monet Mobile Networks. Emtel Launched the first 3G network in Africa.

Advantage of 3G over 2G?

Running on technology called High Speed Packet Access (HSPA), 3G networks can send data many times faster than the rates of earlier 2G networks, which means that in addition to audio, graphics and text, 3G customers can also send and receive video content in 3G coverage areas. 3G allows high speed Internet and data services on the move. With 3G you can make video calls and use a host of other multimedia services which are not available in 2G. 3G can be experienced with 3G connection and 3G compatible mobile handset in 3G covered areas.

What is HSPA and WCDMA?

• HSPA (High Speed Packet Access) is a new generation communication protocol that allows data connections up to 21 Mbps per user in good coverage and quality conditions. Today mobile phones & USB Data Cards are available with HSPA.
• WCDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access) is a 3G technology version that allows data connections up to 384 Kbps per user in good coverage and quality conditions. 

On what factors does 3G speed depend?

Speed depends on handset used, coverage, network traffic and number of users currently using the 3G network at that point of time.  3G can be experienced with 3G connection and 3G compatible mobile handset in 3G covered areas.

The bandwidth and location information available to 3G devices gives rise to applications not previously available to mobile phone users. Some of the applications are:

• Mobile TV – a provider redirects a TV channel directly to the subscriber's phone where it can be watched.
• Video on demand – a provider sends a movie to the subscriber's phone.
• Video conferencing – subscribers can see as well as talk to each other.
• Tele-medicine – a medical provider monitors or provides advice to the potentially isolated subscriber.
• Location-based services – a provider sends localized weather or traffic conditions to the phone, or the phone allows the subscriber to find nearby businesses or friends.