Originally Posted by djaward
What the hell is 3g???
3G refers to the third generation of developments in
wireless technology, especially mobile communications. The thirdgeneration, as its name suggests, follows the first generation (1G) and second generation (2G) in wireless communications.
1G
The 1G period began in the late 1970s and lasted through the 1980s. These systems featured the first true mobile phone systems, known at first as"cellular mobile radio telephone." These networks used
analog voice signaling, and were little more sophisticated than therepeater networks used by
amateur radiooperators.
2G
The 2G phase began in the 1990s and much of this technology is still in use. The 2G cell phone features
digital voice encoding. Examples include
CDMA and
GSM. Since its inception, 2G technology has steadily improved, withincreased
bandwidth,
packet routing, and the introduction of multimedia.
3G includes capabilities and features such as:
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Enhanced multimedia (voice, data, video, and remote control).
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Usability on all popular modes (cellular telephone, e-mail, paging, fax, videoconferencing, and Web browsing).
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Broad bandwidth and high speed (upwards of 2 Mbps).
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Roaming capability throughout Europe, Japan, and North America.
While 3G is generally considered applicable mainly to mobile wireless, it is also relevant to
fixed wireless and portable wireless. A 3G system should beoperational from any location on, or over, the earth's surface, including use in homes, businesses, government offices, medical establishments, themilitary, personal and commercial land vehicles, private and commercial watercraft and marine craft, private and commercial aircraft (except where passengeruse restrictions apply), portable (pedestrians, hikers, cyclists, campers), and space stations and spacecraft.
3G offers the potential to keep people connected at all times and in all places. Researchers, engineers, and marketers are faced with thechallenge of accurately predicting how much technology consumers will actually be willing to pay for. Another challenge faced by 3G services is competitionfrom other high-speed wireless technologies, especially mobile
WiMAX, and ability to roam between different kinds of wireless networks.
The current status of mobile wireless communications, as of July 2007, is a mix of 2nd and 3rd generation technologies.
