There is a lot of confusion on what constitutes a 3G technology.
3G is basically a family of standards for mobile telecommunications defined by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). It includes GSM EDGE, UTMS, CDMA2000, DECT and WiMAX.
Any technical standard evolves during it’s life time to offer better performance and functionality. Wireless access standards are the same. Each ‘generation’ offers something significantly different compared to the previous one.
1G was clear – Cellular mobile services offered using analogue radio technologies.
2G was also clear as it was distinctly different from the 1G technology – 2G used digital networks.
3G is not so clear. 2G digital networks came in different flavours and have improved significantly through the 1990s and beyond. Performance and features have improved.
In order for you to have 3G, your service provider must offer 3G services and you will need to have a 3G enabled phone, generally called a smart phone, and subscribed for the 3G service.
If you use a 3G service, you should be able to experience speeds of at least 2Mbits/s and upto 14 Mbits/s download; of course this is going to continuously improve. 3G mobile technology will enable you to access multimedia services like the following
– Video Calls
– Mobile TV – you might be able to watch your favourite channels on your cell phone
– Online Gaming
– Faster video and music downloads
The 3G spectrum auction in India is scheduled for January 2010; meanwhile, BSNL has started offering 3G services in select cities.