October 2008 / 3G Networks

A lot of the technology buzz today is centered around mobile technology, and with good reason. What seemed like only a few years ago cell phones were capable of making calls and not much else. Now technology advances have transformed them into multiple use devices that are capable of performing nearly all the same functions as a desktop computer. Of course all this technology wouldn’t be worth much if there weren’t wireless networks working in the background that were powerful enough for these devices to communicate over. In this month’s tech brief we’ll discuss the most recent standard for wireless networks, 3G - discussing what it is, what it offers, and what it means for you.

What is 3G?

3G is the third generation (hence the name 3G) of international standards for wide-area cellular networks. 3G networks use a radio spectrum that is much wider than those of previous generations, which results in faster data transmissions for advanced multimedia as well as larger network capacity. To appreciate how different 3G is, we should look at it compared to previous generations.

• 1G – Introduced in the early 1980’s, 1G networks were analog and only allowed the transmission of voice.


• 2G – Commercially launched in 1991, 2G networks digitized voice transmissions and introduced caller ID, SMS text messaging, conference calls, push to talk, and caller ID. Transmissions speeds were less than 20Kbps (Kilobytes per second)


• 2.5G – Extending on 2G technology, 2.5G featured MMS multimedia messaging, web browsing, applications, and short audio/video clips. Transmission speeds ranged between 30Kbps to 90Kbps.


• 3G – Commercially launched in Japan in 2001 and the United States in 2003, 3G provides full-motion video, streaming music, faster web browsing, and videoconferencing. Depending on the network, transmission speeds range from 144Kbps up to 14.4Mbps (Megabytes per second)

What devices/providers offer 3G?

With T-Mobile’s 3G network coming online in the past few months, all major US service providers now offer 3G coverage. But, just because your service provider offers 3G doesn’t mean you’ll be able to access it. First you’ll need to have a mobile device capable of accessing the network. Many of the high-profile phones that came out in the past year, such as the Apple iPhone 3G or Palm Treo 700p, offer 3G compatibility. But that doesn’t mean that all new devices are 3G compatible, so you need to be careful when shopping around to make sure you are in fact getting a 3G phone.

So you’ve done the research, got a 3G phone, and signed up for 3G service with your provider – now you can access the network right? Maybe not, it actually depends on where you plan to use it. Rolling out 3G wireless coverage is both costly and time-consuming for providers so as of now coverage is mostly limited to higher populated urban and suburban areas.

The following links provide maps of coverage areas for the major providers:

• AT&T (Cingular) – or click here for a 3G list by city
• Sprint/Nextel
• T-Mobile
• Verizon – or click here for a 3G list by city

When Should You Get a 3G Device?

With 3G devices it’s not a matter of if you should switch to them, it’s a matter of when you should. At some point in the near future all newly manufactured phones will be 3G compatible. But just like with current 2.5G phones and their ability to send text messages or images, the choice to pay more for enhanced features is up to you.

For those mobile professionals who frequently take advantage of their phone’s data/multimedia features and who are looking for faster connection speeds and enhanced productivity applications – making the switch now to a 3G phone could make sense. On the other hand if stay away from a lot of your phone’s bells and whistles and are content with using it for emails and calls – then by all means continue using your current setup and upgrade when it’s time to get a new phone.

Closing Thoughts

3G will be the standard for wireless cellular networks in the United States for the foreseeable future (4G standards are still being developed and are likely 7+ years away from commercial release). Since devices and services will vary by provider its best to familiarize yourself with your options before making a switch. Thrive can also help by answering any questions you may have about setting your phone up on your corporate network, or finding business applications you can use on your device. As always please feel free to contact us for more information.