3G: Third Generation Mobile Systems

3G represents one of the biggest opportunities the business world has ever seen, increasing the potential of Mobile Internet and opening up new revenue streams.

3G introduces wideband radio communications with access speeds of up to 2 Mbps. Compared with second generation (2G) mobile networks, 3G will significantly boost network capacity to enable operators to support more subscribers, as well as offer more sophisticated services. From Multimedia Mobile Service (MMS) to machine-to-machine communications (Bluetooth), 3G will enable us to access advanced services anytime, anywhere.

Mobile communications is moving from simple voice to rich media, where we use more of our senses to intensify our experiences.

In 3G, mobile phones will become mobile devices that may combine a camera, video camera, computer, stereo, and radio into one device. Rich-media information and entertainment will be available at anytime whenever there is a wireless network.

The GSM family of technologies is expected to account for up to 85% of next generation subscribers.

As impressive as these services may sound, the transformation of 2G wireless GSM-based networks is not revolutionary. Rather the move is an evolutionary one, seamless to the customer because GSM operators won't have to switch from one network system to another. Existing GSM infrastructure will be optimized, enabling it to co-exist with the new 3G UMTS system. The GSM evolutionary path through GPRS/EDGE/UMTS has already begun with the deployment of GPRS throughout the world. Futhermore, EDGE has been commercially launched throughout the world and has been commercially available nationwide in the U.S. since November 2003, making EDGE the fastest nationwide wireless data service.

In 2001, NTT DoCoMo (Japan) became the first operator to commercially launch 3G UMTS services in the world. UMTS will be widely deployed in 2004-2005 and is the leading technology choice for next generation wireless services.

Additional Information

Development of 3G Standards

3G Standardization Process

3G Data Rates

3G or Not 3G

Questions and Answers