What is 3G?
Nowadays the word ‘3G’ is absolutely everywhere. No matter where you go, when you talk about mobile phones and smartphones in particular – 3G is eventually mentioned.
But what is 3G really? As far as the name goes, 3G stands for third generation – but third generation of what exactly?
The answer really isn’t that difficult: 3G is the third generation of mobile telecommunications.
Over the years, mobile telecommunications has come a long way. In the 80s, the first generation was introduced – but it wasn’t very widespread. Back then, mobile phones were huge bricks that had large antennas, which made them not really all that mobile!
In the 90s, the second generation of mobile telecommunications emerged and it took the analog voice channels to a digital base. This was a big step, and it is when the popularity of mobile phones began to rise.
So where does 3G fit into all that?
Some people feel that 3G started with the advent of mobile data transfers, but this isn’t exactly true. Even in later 2G networks (sometimes known as 2.5G), data transfers were already being introduced in the form of GPRS technology.
The real definition of 3G is this: It is a set of standards that fulfill certain specifications set forth by the International Telecommunication Union.
Advancements in 3G
Considering this rather broad definition, you’re probably wondering exactly what these specifications contain. Without getting too technical the advancements that are the cornerstone of 3G development include:
- Data speeds that are several times higher than that of 2G (or 2.5G) networks
- Better audio and video streaming including support for video calls and conferences
- IPTV (internet TV) support
In a nutshell, 3G has opened up the world of mobile internet as well as video and audio streaming through its high data transfer speeds. These speeds generally range from 128 kbps to 384 kbps while moving, but can go as high as 2 Mbps when stationary.
The benefits of this are clear cut, and it is the reason why smartphones have become a viable platform for browsing the internet even when out of range of wireless networks.
Are There Any Downsides to 3G Technology?
While no one would ever object to the possibility of faster data transfer speeds, the main problem with 3G technology stemmed from the fact that it was tough for mobile phone networks to upgrade their existing infrastructure and provide access to 3G services.
That being said, in most developed areas 3G is widespread – and it is gaining popularity on a daily basis.
Frankly speaking, the only other downside to 3G technology is the cost that can often be prohibitive. Mobile data transfer may be a lot cheaper than it used to be, but it still can be a bit pricey!
Nowadays, there are even some networks that call themselves 3.5G or 3.75G but this really just indicates that their using the latest 3G technology and can offer higher data transfer speeds and better support for multimedia streaming than the older 3G networks.
So if you’re looking for the best 3G products on the market, you should definitely check out the following offers!
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Start to develop an understanding of what the term 3G really means and what areas of mobile telecommunications it improved. While doing so, also find out the downsides to this technology.
