3G Technology
3G or third generation mobile phone technology is governed by standards promulgated by the International Telecommunications Union or ITU. It defined 3G under the IMT-2000 standards with the sole objective of overcoming the bandwidth limitations of 2G. With HSPA software upgrades 3G can enable download speeds of up to 12 Mbps and upload speeds of 5.8 Mbps. Compare that with GSM downloading speeds of no more than 14.4 kbps and you have an idea of the immense improvement in bandwidth offered by 3G networks. With 3G, you have the benefits of high bandwidth-hugging video calls as well are a host of high speed data transmissions that make it a breeze using wireless telephony for internet access.
The Road to 3G
It took some time for 2G networks to evolve into 3G, the last step requiring a total upgrade of its networks. The mobile telephony world saw at least two general upgrade that attempted to solve the bandwidth restrictions of 2G but only to some extent:
- From 2G to 2.5G was the first major evolutionary step with the use of General Packet Radio Service or GPRS capable of data speeds from 58kbps to 115kbps. When it was introduced, you could have WAP or Wireless Application Protocol and MMS or Multimedia Messaging Service on your mobile phone handset. You could get email and browsing but traffic is slow and the traditional circuit modes get your billed per minute of connection regardless of whether you use it or not.
From 2.5G to 2.75G meant going to the EDGE. That’s Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution. It also goes by Enhanced GPRS and IMT Single Carrier (IMT-SC). It allows improved data transmission speeds as an enhancement to the standard GSM. EDGE has a bandwidth capacity of up to 236.8 kbps with a latency of about 150 milliseconds with a theoretical maximum of 473.6 kbps on a transmission mode that uses high order time shifting. EDGE has been integrated as part of ITU’s 3G definition and maybe considered already 3G. This was first implemented in 2003 by then Cingular (AT&T) in the US.
WiMax
WiMax stands for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access. It is a wireless telecommunication technology based on the IEEE 802.16 standard that defines the use of data transmission modes in the 3 Mbps broadband range for mobile and portable internet access.
Its range and bandwidth make WiMax suited for local portable or mobile wireless data connectivity such as WiFi internet hotspots one finds in many popular sites like malls and cafes. It also allows telephone carriers to provide a wireless option to the last mile broadband solution for DSL line coverage.
Emergencies Using WiMax
The 2004 tsunami disaster in Aceh, Indonesia used WiMAX technology to help amateur radio to get in touch with the outside world as all telecommunication networks had been demolished by the tidal waves. WiMax allows the world to see the utter devastation on Aceh and helped restore communication with the survivors.
Intel donated WiMax facilities to the US government agencies involved in the relief operations after hurricane Katrina’s devastating fury that left much of the telecommunications infrastructure inoperable in the affected areas. WiMax augmented VoIP and satellite uplinks re-establish communication in these areas.
An Alternative to WiFi?
Not really. WiFi is based on the IEEE 802.11 b/g telecommunication specification standards while WiMax is based on the IEEE 802.16e standards. They are both operating on a wireless local data connectivity with broadband speeds with the latter having higher speeds and wider local coverage which make it more a competitor of the HSPA standards. Between the two, the WiFi standards are easier to implement as they cover only a limited area and have enjoyed a larger following with mobile handsets making it as part of their handset’s standard local data connectivity feature.
Sprint Nextel has venture into it as early as 2006 with a $5 Billion WiMax build-out that has yet to see fruition. In mid 2008, a major industry project involving Google, Intel, and Comcast under Sprint with Time Warner behind pooled their resources to form the company Clearwire which will operate in the 120 MHz spectrum. The deal has yet to bear any concrete benefit for its participants and with new technologies already in the horizon, it is unclear how the WiMax initiative is headed.
Virgin Media Announce New Mobile Broadband Packages
In a bid to increase its online customer base Virgin Media has launched its own mobile broadband packages. They have become the last of the six major telecommunications operators in the United Kingdom to launch mobile broadband services.
Virgin media mobile broadband subscribers will be get up to 3GB worth of mobile downloads a month at standard monthly fee of fifteen pounds. Subscribers need to sign an 16 month contract with Virgin Media for the mobile broadband access which currently makes use of the T-Mobile cellular phone network as its backbone. Subscribers will also get a free USB modem for use on their laptops and tablet devices.
Market Expansion
The recent increase in interest on mobile broadband technology has lead to fears of mobile network congestions and slow downs. Members of the GSM Association, which includes companies like Microsoft, Dell, Toshiba, Ericsson, Vodafone, and T-Mobile, are increasing network capacity and introducing new technologies to support the rapid expansion of the mobile broadband market.
One such technology may allow future users to have instant out of the box access to the internet using cheap dongles that allow access to the mobile broadband network. New laptops are being equipped to become broadband network ready without the need for additional devices. Increasing worldwide demand for such devices has led to tremendous financial backing from various telecommunications companies.
WiMax, a new technology set to rival or replace the current HSDPA mobile broadband networks, has been rolling out slowly in Europe but has seen tremendous growth in the US. Today, telecommunications companies are watching what effects the WiMax protocol will have on the current mobile broadband market trends and are planning to respond accordingly.
