One most popular and important question everyone has it in mind???
What is 3G Service and why it’s hyped so much about and how it would change the way we communicate? Even when I first heard about 3G Service I was not sure whether this would ever become a reality in country like India?
From 1G, 2G, 2.5 G and now moving to 3G, lay persons need not go in depth with all this jargon babble as what matters is their applications and delivery.
With TATA Docomo which recently launched a Television Commercial stating the launch of 3G Services from Diwali, Airtel too launched its dedicated 3G web page giving all information related to 3G.
Lets look at the teasers from Airtel as well as TATA Docomo’s TVC:
1. Airtel’s 3G WEB Page Teaser
2. TATA Docomo’s TVC teaser:
With both players showcasing their teasers in different forms, we can expect other players like Reliance Communications, Aircel, STel and Idea cellular to join this teaser campaign.
What is futuristic 3G about and why it is so special?
With the launch of 3G Services, which is also known as 3rd generation mobile communication systems your communication style will be revolutionized. The two main things which will be possible with 3G services are video calling as well as faster internet access. With Video calling, you can Connect to family and friends – Face-to-face and that too in a real time fashion and with high speed internet access, streaming, online games, Send and receive mails with large attachments and also online transactions will be possible.
Now, you also might encounter with a question that if 3G is coming, what is the technology used right now and what is the data rate in the current scenario?
Currently there are 3 technology terminologies namely, WAP, GPRS and EDGE.
WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) is an open international standard. WAP browser is commonly used web browser for small mobile devices but come with limitations that data transfer speed is not sufficient for services like online transactions and also it doesn’t support basic things like email access. According to me, WAP is a “WORTHLESS APPLICATION PROTOCOL”.
Then after WAP, the new technology which was developed was GPRS which is the short form of (General Packet Radio Service) is a best effort service which offers a speed of around 56-114kbps. With GPRS, MMS, PTT, Instant messaging/chat facilities are possible but fails to stream live videos efficiently. GPRS network is also called as 2.5 G network
After WAP and GPRS, its time for EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution) which is also termed as 2.75 G network to knock the doors of mobile communication. EDGE can carry a bandwidth of up to 236.8 kbps.
With 3G services, one can experience never before applications like :
- Mobile TV – a provider redirects a TV channel directly to the subscriber’s phone where it can be watched.
- Video on demand – a provider sends a movie to the subscriber’s phone.
- Video conferencing – subscribers can see as well as talk to each other.
- Tele-medicine – a medical provider monitors or provides advice to the potentially isolated subscriber.
- Location-based services – a provider sends localized weather or traffic conditions to the phone, or the phone allows the subscriber to find nearby businesses or friends.
2G versus 3G
3G uses just a software enhancement called High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), which sends data many times faster than current 2G networks. So next time when you are out to buy a mobile phone, it’s better to look out for HSDPA compatibility as this will help you to enjoy the data speeds of as high as of mind blowing 14.4 MBPS while the fastest on a 2G network can achieve a maximum of 144 kbps.
3G technology is here to get the best out of your smartphones with increased bandwidth and transfer rates. With the launch of 3G, you will be able to experience high speed internet access on your mobile like we could earlier only could do on a PC or a computer.
Some frequently asked questions (FAQ’s) are:
1. Do i need to Change your sim or number for enjoying 3G Services?
Ans: No, you need not change either your sim or change your number to enjoy 3G services.
2. What my phone will display after i latch on to a 3G network?
Ans: You would see 3G/3.5G/H displayed on your handset just below the signal symbol on the top left of your screen. The text for 3G Network might vary from device to device and the feature support.
3. Which operators in which circle will provide 3G Services?
Ans: Andhra Pradesh: Bharti Airtel, Idea, Aircel
Assam: Reliance, Bharti, Aircel
Bihar & Jharkhand: Stel, Bharti, Reliance, Aircel
Delhi & NCR: Vodafone, Bharti, Reliance Communications
Gujarat: Tata Com, Vodafone, Idea
Haryana: Idea Cellular, Tata Telecommunications, Vodafone
Himachal Pradesh: Bharti, Stel, Idea cellular, Reliance
Jammu & Kashmir: Idea, Aircel, Bharti, Reliance
Karnataka: Tata Telecommunication, Aircel, Bharti Airtel
Kerala: Idea cellular, Tata Telecommunications, Aircel
Kolkata: Vodafone, Aircel, Reliance Communications
Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh: Idea Cellular, Reliance Communications, Tata Telecommunications
Maharashtra & Goa: Tata Com, Idea cellular, Vodafone
Mumbai: Reliance, Vodafone, Bharti Airtel
North East: Aircel, Bharti, Reliance
Orissa: Stel, Aircel, Reliance
Punjab: Idea Cellular, Reliance Communications, Tata Telecommunications, Aircel
Rajasthan: Reliance Communications, Bharti, Tata Telecommunications
Tamil Nadu: Bharti, Vodafone, Aircel
U.P (East): Aircel, Idea Cellular, Vodafone
U.P. (West): Bharti, Idea Cellular, Tata Telecommunications
West Bengal: Bharti, Reliance Telecom, Vodafone, Aircel
4. Will 2G and 3G services differ in cost?
Ans: Yes 2G and 3G services will cost differently as 3G will come with a higher price tag than 2G. As in 3G you will be able to make video calls whereas in 2G only voice calls can be made the cost will be different.
With operators teasing with dedicated web pages and 3G launch announcements, 3G is all set to be a REALITY from private operators Telco and with a spice of Mobile Number portability too scheduled for launch in next month, it’s sure to be a Diwali Dhamaka.
it is good to have 3g in these fast developing days. but though technologically it is great, if used would empty the pockets of parents much more than the present 2g. i dont think that any high percentage of indian mobile users will move to 3g for atleast 5 years, during which we should see good price wars with progressively falling tarifs!
Good one, so its gona b telecom war from next month?
Dear Mr. Amit
I am a regular & curious reader of your useful mails which contain sometimes very good & useful information. On your advice, I purchased a BSNL EVDO internet connection after disconnecting BSNL Broadband which I am sure has no parallel. But I must say EVDO wireless internet has gravely disappointed me as sometimes it has very embarrassingly low download speed contrary to your recommendations. Now, in the present article about 3G you are recommending all the private networks of which specially Airtel is most dishonest in relations to its customers. You haven’t mentioned BSNL 3G which has the widest spectrum of internet & broadband services and above all it being a governmental enterprise, has lot of credibility save EVDO wireless internet.
Regards.
Mandeep Singh
technology evolution is always accepted and appreciated !! but 3G is still out of reach from common man. Although if competition become dense we can expect price wars, for this we have to wait until every operator roll out its 3g services smoothly.