What is 3G technology

Generally speaking, 3G refers to the 3rd generation of developments in wireless technology, especially mobile communications. The 3rd generation, as its name suggests, follows the 1st generation (1G) and 2nd generation (2G) in wireless communications. The 1G period began in the late 1970s and lasted through the 1980s. These systems featured the 1st true mobile phone systems, known at first as "cellular mobile radio telephone." These networks used analog voice signaling, & were little more sophisticated than the repeater networks used by amateur radio operators. The 2G phase began in the 1990s & 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, with increased bandwidth, packet routing, and the introduction of multimedia. 3G is basically a built on top of 2G technology. 3G includes but not limited to capabilities & features such as Enhanced multimedia (voice, data, video, and remote control). 2G has similar capability but not as efficient due to slower speed lack of band width in comparison to 3G. Usability on all popular modes (cellular telephone, e-mail, paging, fax, videoconferencing, and Web browsing). Broad bandwidth & high speed (upwards of 2 Mbps). Roaming capability throughout Europe, Asia, & North America. Again, some of the 2G can cross to different countries but due to lack of bandwidth & frequency change, it was harder to do so in comparison to 3G. While 3G is generally considered applicable mainly to mobile wireless, it is also relevant to fixed wireless & portable wireless, such as laptop computers. A 3G system should be operational from any location on, or over, the earth's surface, including use in homes, businesses, government offices, medical establishments, the military, personal & commercial land vehicles, private & commercial watercraft & marine craft, private & commercial aircraft, portable (pedestrians, hikers, cyclists, campers), & space stations & spacecraft. 3G offers the potential to keep people connected at all times and in all places. Researchers, engineers, and marketers are faced with the challenge of accurately predicting how much technology consumers will actually be willing to pay for. Another challenge faced by 3G services is competition from other high-speed wireless technologies, especially mobile WiMAX, & 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.

It is used for phone to phone video conversation.