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Cellular technology: a brief
history See how it all started for cell phones |
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Types of 3G Not all high-speed technologies are the same |
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Handsets with 3G Show me the 3G-enabled phones out there |
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3G glossary Decipher 3G's alphabet soup |
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For the past few years, cellular carriers and handset manufacturers have talked a lot about third-generation (3G) services for mobile phones. Despite all the talk, however, the companies haven't done a particularly good job of explaining what it all means. To many customers, the real meaning of 3G has been lost among promises of video features and zippy data speeds--promises that are only now beginning to live up to reality. Yet the question still remains: What exactly is 3G?
Simply put, 3G cellular technology will bring wireless broadband data services to your mobile phone. Boasting speeds from 144Kbps (roughly three times faster than a 56K dial-up modem connection) to 2.4Mbps (close to cable-modem speed), 3G networks let you speed through Web pages, enjoy streaming music video, watch on-demand video programming, download and play 3D games, and videoconference with your fellow chatterers. While the interface is undoubtedly different on a cell phone, the experience of surfing, downloading, and streaming stands to be very close to that of a broadband connection on a computer.
Sound good? Well, yes, it does. To date, major cellular carriers have introduced 3G services, and a solid assortment of 3G-enabled handsets are now available from the various key vendors in the market.
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Simply put, 3G cellular technology will bring wireless broadband data services to your mobile phone. Boasting speeds from 144Kbps (roughly three times faster than a 56K dial-up modem connection) to 2.4Mbps (close to cable-modem speed), 3G networks let you speed through Web pages, enjoy streaming music video, watch on-demand video programming, download and play 3D games, and videoconference with your fellow chatterers. While the interface is undoubtedly different on a cell phone, the experience of surfing, downloading, and streaming stands to be very close to that of a broadband connection on a computer.
Sound good? Well, yes, it does. To date, major cellular carriers have introduced 3G services, and a solid assortment of 3G-enabled handsets are now available from the various key vendors in the market.
| Editors' note:
Some parts of this article have been modified from the original story.
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