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TECHNOLOGY: ELECTRONICS &
GADGETS |
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So
What Is 3G And Do You Really Need It?
By the end of the year, Costa Rica, by way
of the Instituto Costarricense de
Electricidad (ICE) will join the rest of the
world with the introduction of the 3rd
generation, better known as 3G, cellular
network. Although it will be new to Costa
Rica, 3G has been around for a while, being
commercially launched in May 2001 by NTT
DoCoMo in Japan branded FOMA, on a
pre-release of W-CDMA technology.
The first European pre-commercial 3G network
was launched in December 2001, and first
commercial United States 3G network was in
October 2003.
Without getting all technical, 3G is simply
explained as a radio communications
technology that will create a "bit pipe" for
providing mobile access to internet-based
services to enhance and extend mobility in
many areas of our lives. With 3G, mobility
is not an add-on, it is a fundamental aspect
of many services, like high speed access to
the internet, entertainment, information and
electronic commerce (e-commerce) that was
once the domain of desktop computers.
With 3G, all that an more is literally in
one hand.
But before we can continue with 3G, let us
take a look at how we got there, starting
with The first generation (1G) beginning in
the early 80's. 2G, the technology of most
current digital mobile phones, followed.
Features include phone calls, voice mail and
receive and send simple text messages.
2G was followed by 2.5G, that added fax,
sending and receiving emails, web browsing,
navigation and maps. The transfer speed
increased to 64-144 kb/s, up from the
measly 10kp/s of the the 2G.
3G wireless combines a mobile phone, laptop
PC and TV. A 3G enabled phone can do all
that a 2G and a 2.5G can but adds
teleconferencing, TV streaming, electronic
agenda and transfer speeds at a high as 2
megabits per second, a far cry from the 9.6
kb/s that the first modem transferred data on
a hardwired connection, the speed used
currently still used by fax machines.
Add to that all speed and services a high
degree of mobility, commonality of design
worldwide and compatibility of services.
Of course to take advantage of all that you
need to have a 3G phone and the price that
comes with it.
Perhaps the best known 3G phone and its high
tech features is the iPhone 3GS. Although
all the major manufacturers, like NOKIA,
SONY ERICSSON and BLACKBERRY all have 3G
phones, the iPhone is the cellular phone
with 3G in its name.
So is 3G for you?
Here are a few points to consider before you
make an investment in a 3G phone.
First, do you need a cellular phone for more
than making and receiving phone calls? Do
you do need high speed wireless internet on
the go? Are you an online entertainment
junkie (music, videos), etc? Need or want a
phone that looks good?
If your answer is yes to all of the above,
you need a 3G phone. If, even if one of your
answers is no, then you are doing just fine
with the phone and service you have.
But, wait, before you go out and bust your
wallet on 3G, know that 4G is on its way, a
system that may upgrade existing
communication networks and is expected to
provide a comprehensive and secure IP based
solution where facilities such as voice,
data and streamed multimedia will be
provided to users on an "Anytime, Anywhere"
basis and at much higher data rates compared
to previous generations.
Of course 5G may not be too far away in the
future.
If you do decide to go 3G, here is a chart
to compare the leading 3G phones: iPhone,
Palm Pre, MyTouch 3G and Motorola's latest
entry, Droid.
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