These days we are all inundated with 2G scams and 3G ads. Ironic that the scam was in a technology that’s already outdated. And in spite of the ads, or maybe because of the ads, most people are confused. What exactly is 3G ? And what does it do that my current plan and phone don’t.
In this blog I’ll try and simplify 3G. Basically 3G stands for 3rd generation. The first generation of mobile technology was analog. The 2nd was digital. And 3G is enhanced digital. Simply put it’s a much, much faster version of 2G.
This short video gives a pretty good idea of 3G.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Em0bvWHyaYw
So what can 3G do that my current mobile phone or technology cannot. The simple answer is “Nothing”. However, 3G makes it practical and realistic to attempt to do stuff you can’t currently. Think of your current phone as similar to the internet dial up connection you had a few years ago. And 3G as your current broadband connection. And what 3G can do well is exactly what your broadband connection can do well.
The most important applications of 3G are those that require large download and hence high speeds. 4 of the commonest applications that 3G is likely to be used for are
a. Video Telephony
b. Web Surfing (including social networking)
c. Video Playback (Downloads as well as streaming)
d. IP TV (TV on the phone)
And so the question that begs to be asked is. Do I need 3G ? And the simple answer is that, if you had to ask this question, chances are you don’t need it. Whilst 3G is likely to be the default standard in a couple of years, if not even earlier, its currently expensive. Both the 3G compatible cell phones as well as the services. As an example, 2G service that costs Rs. 99 per month, costs around Rs. 999 on 3G. Of course you get more data, et al, but I guess you could wait till you get home or reach office and download it using your broadband connection.
I do believe that the 3G technology will play a large role in our lives after a couple of years, it needs to get a lot cheaper before that happens. And I’m willing to bet that’s likely to happen in 2012, when 4G technology which has already been released will start making waves.
In this blog I’ll try and simplify 3G. Basically 3G stands for 3rd generation. The first generation of mobile technology was analog. The 2nd was digital. And 3G is enhanced digital. Simply put it’s a much, much faster version of 2G.
This short video gives a pretty good idea of 3G.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Em0bvWHyaYw
So what can 3G do that my current mobile phone or technology cannot. The simple answer is “Nothing”. However, 3G makes it practical and realistic to attempt to do stuff you can’t currently. Think of your current phone as similar to the internet dial up connection you had a few years ago. And 3G as your current broadband connection. And what 3G can do well is exactly what your broadband connection can do well.
The most important applications of 3G are those that require large download and hence high speeds. 4 of the commonest applications that 3G is likely to be used for are
a. Video Telephony
b. Web Surfing (including social networking)
c. Video Playback (Downloads as well as streaming)
d. IP TV (TV on the phone)
And so the question that begs to be asked is. Do I need 3G ? And the simple answer is that, if you had to ask this question, chances are you don’t need it. Whilst 3G is likely to be the default standard in a couple of years, if not even earlier, its currently expensive. Both the 3G compatible cell phones as well as the services. As an example, 2G service that costs Rs. 99 per month, costs around Rs. 999 on 3G. Of course you get more data, et al, but I guess you could wait till you get home or reach office and download it using your broadband connection.
I do believe that the 3G technology will play a large role in our lives after a couple of years, it needs to get a lot cheaper before that happens. And I’m willing to bet that’s likely to happen in 2012, when 4G technology which has already been released will start making waves.
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