Third-generation technology
Third-generation technology (3G) will bring enhanced services to mobile users worldwide. The general improvements in 3G over previous networks will be in bandwidth and speed. 3G networks will deliver real-time multimedia and high-speed data, as well as enhanced voice services and Internet connectivity. Speeds may reach 2 Mbps depending on the application (mobile or fixed wireless). As defined by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), 3G networks will provide data service at speeds no less than 144 Kbps.
Existing services like MMS will benefit from the broadband connectivity that 3G networks will provide. Users can expect better video, gaming, and messaging as well as real-time delivery of multimedia and video conferencing.
- Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution¡ªEDGE is an enhancement to GSM networks that increases data rate up to 384 Kbps while using the same frequencies. Using EDGE, mobile customers will be able to simultaneously use different services, such as Web browsing and making a phone call. EDGE will use a version of GPRS known as Enhanced GPRS (E-GPRS), a version of GPRS that will run on an EDGE network and take advantage of the greater speed. While not quite as fast as Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), EDGE will allow carriers to upgrade to 3G without obtaining a UMTS license because it uses existing GSM frequencies, possibly meaning reduced prices for consumers.
- Universal Mobile Telecommunications System¡ªUMTS is the European implementation of 3G developed by Nortel Networks. UMTS will expand the speed of GSM networks by replacing TDMA with W-CDMA. UMTS will operate in the 2 GHz band and offer speeds up to 2 Mbps. UMTS are also known as European WCDMA (E-WCDMA).
- Wideband code division multiple access¡ªW-CDMA is a 3G technology that supports speeds up to 2 Mbps for the delivery of voice and data. W-CDMA will increase the transfer rate on GSM networks by replacing TDMA, which is currently used. Like CDMA, W-CDMA enables different users to share the same channel by encoding the signal from different phones individually. W-CDMA supports many data services, including packet-switched and circuit-switched solutions. W-CDMA will be dominant in Europe as part of the UMTS 3G standards.
- Time division-synchronous code division multiple access¡ªJust when you thought the acronyms couldn’t possible get any longer, along comes time division-synchronous code division multiple access (TD-SCDMA). The China Academy of Telecommunications Technology (CATT), Datang, and Siemens are developing this 3G technology jointly. TD-SCDMA combines the efficient use of the radio spectrum of CDMA with TDMA‘s ability to deliver data asymmetrically. TD-SCDMA will also support speed up to 2 Mbps, and promises to be competitive with other 3G technologies. TD-SCDMA will probably be the standard within China.
CDMA2000¡ªYet another 3G technology based on CDMA, CDMA2000 was the first 3G technology to be used commercially (in late 2000, hence the name). There are several versions or evolutions of CDMA2000, supporting speeds up to 307 Kbps or 2 Mbps (for data only). A number of CDMA-based networks already use CDMA2000. Mobile instant messaging¡ªMobile instant messaging (MIM) is instant messaging or chat moved onto a mobile platform. Like traditional chat programs, users can have an alias, manage contacts, and know when their buddies are online. MIM takes place in real-time, and users can interact as if they were using AOL Instant Messenger or MSN Messenger, for example.
Insider insight:3G networks are just starting to appear, but already there is buzz about fourth-generation (AG) technology. Ifs still a long way off, but be prepared to start hearing about it more often. Already there is a lot of heated discussion as to what 4G should be. Some say it should be an end-to-end Internet protocol (IP) network similar to Wi-Fi; others say that multimedia services will be the driving applications.
4G will provide on-demand broadband capability, with greater quality of service. Originally slated for 2010 release, some carriers are predicting 2006. The move toward 4G isn’t just being supported by cellular carriers; wireless ISP’s are driving development of the new technology as a solution for fixed wireless Internet services.
While you should be wary of much of the hype about 4G, some of the promises for speed and quality of service are likely to be realized. However, what remains to be seen is if 4G will make the U.S. market less fragmented and more attractive to developers.
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