3G Enabled India

We have been hearing round the technical-corner that 3G is coming in India too, and the Indian government has decided for auction the 3G spectrum. hmm...so do you know much on this buzz-word and what it can do for a person like you and me?

Third-generation (3G) is a general term that refers to the technology which offer increased capacity and capabilities delivered over digital mobile phone/wireless networks. In mobile telephony terminology, 3G protocols support much higher data rates, measured in Mbps, intended for applications other than voice. Let me put it this way, the 3G technology is commonly described as refined enhancements to the GSM cellular standards.

The current tecnologies like GSM and CDMA networks are classed as second-generation (2G) while the inoperative analogue network was the first of the mobile network generations (1G).

It will be interesting to see how fast 3G dominates the common man. With a 3G phone and access to the 3G network you can send and receive video calls, watch live TV, opportunity to surf the internet, receive emails - send and receive large emails and attachments - and download music tracks, as well as the usual voice call and messaging services found on a mobile phone. In short the new systems will enhance the services available today and will robust the connection for mobile phones, ain't it interesting?

Technically, the major change is how quickly data can be sent and received. The 3G networks has the capacity to send data 40 times the rates of earlier digital networks. 3G provide service at 5-10 Mb per second.

3G was introduced in the US in the year 2002. By late 2004, it was finally providing transmission speeds to handle full-motion video, even though over short periods of time (15 seconds to three minutes, in most cases). The third generation technology used in the UK is called UMTS, which operates at 2100 MHz (2.1GHz).

The technology has already moved to Fourth-Generation (4G, also known as Beyond 3G), is a term used to describe the next complete evolution in wireless communications. A 4G system will be able to provide a comprehensive IP solution where voice, data and streamed multimedia can be given to users on an "Anytime, Anywhere" basis, and at higher data rates than previous generations.

Interesting eh? I'm curious about the affordability of this technology during the intiial period, since it is common that anything 'new' is expensive.