What Is 3G
Introduced in 2001, 3G is the latest standard in mobile phone technology allowing wider coverage, more connectivity options, and better connection quality than its predecessors. It combines internet technology with high-speed cellular access to provide faster connections and more access points. 3G is found in many mid-end and high-end phones, and operates in over 40 countries with over 200 million subscribers.
However, Australia was a little late in picking up 3G technology. In 2007, only 40% of mobile phone users were subscribed to the service, whereas most of the Japanese already knew what is 3G and were using it on a daily basis. The figures are expected to increase more in the following years; by 2012 over 80% of Australians are expected to understand what is 3G and make it part of their everyday lives.
How does 3G work?
So what is 3G exactly? First off, it is not an upgrade of 2G-it's a whole new system operating on an entirely different frequency. In fact, it's this difference that accounts for most of what is 3G. In a 3G phone, data-including voice and non-voice-is transmitted over a frequency range of 2-2.1 GHz, allowing for faster transmission and more data channels. Specifically, this frequency range supports the digital information that forms the basis of internet connectivity. So if you're asked "what is 3G" or what is 3G phone technology, the short answer would be internet connectivity.
What is 3G capable of?
Because it connects to the internet, 3G allows more ways to communicate. In fact, this accounts for most of what is 3G able to do compared to 2G. A 3G phone will support email, instant messaging, and even video conferencing, in addition to the basic SMS and voice call functionalities.
But what is 3G's main advantage over 2G? While the added connectivity is certainly useful, the ability to send digital data is likely to carry over to future standards. This means that what is 3G today will continue to define 4G, 5G, and all that will follow. And more and more people find out what is 3G capable of, 3G phones are expected to become more popular, and thus more affordable for all types of users.
