What is 3G ?
* 3G is short for third-generation mobile telephony services.* The technology is based on an International Telecommunication Union standard called IMT-2000.
* 3G phones work in higher bandwidths of 15-20 MHz, while currently available mobile phones are loosely regarded as 2G or 2.5G, and use 30-200 KHz bandwidth.
* Since the bandwidth for 3G is higher, it facilitates faster, better and simultaneous delivery of audio and non-audio data. 3G networks offer download speeds of 14.4 Mbits/second and uploads of 5.8 Mbits/second.
* Bandwidth is a measure of the width of a range of frequencies used while transferring data from one point to another, and is measured in hertz.
* While audio data is normally associated with telephone call, non-audio data comprise e-mail exchanges, instant messaging, and downloading information, all riding on the Internet.
* Now with 3G services telecom carriers will be able to provide video broadcast and other value-added services such as tele-medicine, mobile banking, stock transactions, e-learning etc, through wireless communications at a faster pace and with high quality.
* Various government services (e-governance) to the masses would be facilitated through the medium of mobile phone powered by a higher bandwidth of 3G.
* Acquiring 3G spectrum is expensive (Rs 1,600 crore for new licence holders according to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India). So a telecom carrier would like to capitalise by ensuring widespread usage of mobile telephony.
* 3G services were first launched by NTT DoCoMo of Japan in October 2001, followed by Korea in January 2002.
* As of December 2007, 190 3G networks were operating in 40 countries.
* There are about 225 million 3G subscribers worldwide today.
