A world of possibilities

3G technology blends high-speed mobile access with Internet protocol-based services

• The mega IT show is ON
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• It does more than just destruct files

Third generation technology enables high-speed mobile services such as video calling and messaging, e-mail, games, photo messaging and other features.

The technology also enables mobile users to log onto their office network, browse the Internet, manage their investments on the stock market, have a videoconference with potential clients, watch TV, play interactive games with friends online or even locate boutiques, hotels or streets, or send video postcards, if you are travelling to New York, Paris or anywhere in the world.

All this will be possible because 3G technology blends high-speed mobile access with Internet Protocol (IP)-based services.

3G is an evolution in terms of service and data speeds from second-generation (2G) mobile networks such as GSM (global system for mobile communication). However, to get a clearer picture of how 3G figures in this equation, it's important to trace the transition.

Basic services

The first generation of wireless networks, known as 1G, offered basic analogue voice phone services without data capability.

Second-generation (2G) wireless technology introduced the move to digital from analogue, using network standards such as CDMA (code division multiple access), GSM as well as TDMA (time division multiple access).

In fact, these networks are still part of the standards used at present. GSM, though, is the most widely used cellular technology with more than one billion subscribers across the globe.

However, while GSM (2G) networks work well for voice calls, they are limited where sending and receiving data is concerned.

This is because GSM-based phones employ CSD (circuit switched data) technology to transfer data, where the phone needs to create a special connection to the network before it can transfer data (just as it does for voice communication).

This process takes up to 30 seconds. Once connected, the data is sent or received.

However, 2G networks are relatively slow where transferring data is concerned - at about 10 to 19 kilobits per second (kbps). As a result, accessing web pages on a phone or handheld device takes long and proves expensive as the user is billed for the time spent online.

These are factors that have contributed to the emergence of 2.5G technology (general packet radio service or GPRS) and standards beyond (enhanced data rates for global evolution or EDGE).

Enhanced standards

GPRS adds the potential for data services and applications based on IP to GSM mobile networks. It also enables 2G phones to send and receive data at a faster speed.

With a GPRS connection, the phone is ‘always on' and can transfer data immediately, and at higher speeds of about 32 to 48 kbps.

Enhanced standards such as EDGE boost data transfer rates and volumes on existing GSM/GPRS networks by thrice the rate with the potential of going up to 384 kbps.

Though EDGE offers the best that a 2.5G network could deliver, the future belongs to the 3G technologies including UMTS (universal mobile telephone system) and CDMA 2000 among others, which promise data transfer rates of 144 kbps to two megabits (Mbps) per second, as well as a ‘continuous' connection.

Countries with a high mobile penetration such as Japan, UK and the US have already embarked on the 3G experience.

However, the cost of setting up networks is high on account of the technical and political dynamics. Service plans and even 3G-enabled handsets are far from cheap.

On a more positive note, third generation services are also picking up in the Middle East with Etisalat taking the lead in offering the Mubashir service in the region.

"In addition to Etisalat in the UAE, MTC Vodafone in Bahrain and Wataniya in Kuwait are also offering these services to subscribers," says Eddy Rizyk, Senior Communications Manager, Nokia Middle East and Africa.

Range of products

In terms of devices, several mobile phone manfacturers as well as companies that make handheld devices have a range of products that are 3G-enabled.

Some of these include Sony Ericsson whose K600 is a feature-packed 3G phone with a 1.3 megapixel camera and media player among other features.

Others such as Nokia have models such as the 6680 and N series including the N90 and N91, which come with 60 series technology that supports 3G, Carl Zeiss optics, mega pixel cameras, VHS resolution video and WLAN.

Another device that supports 3G technology is I-mate's JASJAR, a tri-band GSM/GPRS device with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth that connects to 3G (UMTS) mobile networks.

Users can benefit from videoconferencing and multimedia with dual cameras