What is 3G?

3G refers to the third generation of developments in wireless technology, especially mobile communications.

The third generation, as its name suggests, follows the first generation (1G) and second generation (2G) in wireless communications.

The 1G period began in the late 1970s and lasted through the 1980s.  These systems featured the first true mobile phone systems, known at first as "cellular mobile radio telephone."  These networks used analogue technology.

The 2G phase began in the 1990s and much of this technology is still in use.  The 2G cell phone features digital voice encoding.

GSM (Global Systems for Mobiles) is another example of 2G technology.  Unlike CDMA, GSM provides a truly global system which allows use internationally through “roaming”.

3G includes capabilities and features such as:

• enhanced multimedia (voice, data, video, and remote control);
• usability on all popular modes (cellular telephone, e-mail, paging, fax, videoconferencing, and Web browsing);
• broad bandwidth and high speed (upwards of 2 Mbps);
• international roaming capability.
  

The most significant feature of 3G mobile technology is that it supports greater numbers of voice and data customers — especially in urban areas — and higher data rates at lower incremental cost than 2G.

3G offers the potential to keep people connected at all times and in all places.

A good way to think of 3G is that it, assuming you have a 3G-enabled mobile phone, you can consider it a scaled-down version of accessing the Internet.  This means that you can use your mobile phone to access online banking, preview video clips, download music and access stock prices, etc.

You’ve probably also heard the term “Next G”.  This is Telstra’s marketing term for 3G.

The current status (as of August 2007) of mobile wireless communications is a mix of 2G and 3G technologies.