3G phones: Third generation mobile technology

Products we use everyday are constantly evolving and mobile phones are no exception. 3G is the current standard for mobile phone data transfer. In short, it's much faster and much more reliable than the old WAP technology (waiting five minutes for an Internet page to load anyone?). A massive step forward for mobile services, 3G can be found on a range of portable multimedia devices and truly facilitates Internet on the go.

What is 3G?

Mobile phones moved beyond the basic services of SMS and making and taking calls some years ago but the demand for more functions has driven the development of smoother, more capable mobile Internet. Third-generation (3G) technology is the most current solution at time of writing and main benefits of 3G include:

Greatly increased data transfer speeds
Many more features
Fast access to email, internet and various news & entertainment services

Utilising technology known as High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), 3G uses the 2100MHz frequency (as opposed to the 800MHz CDMA or 900MHz GSM frequencies of the 2G network) and delivers data to your 3G mobile much faster.

The downside of 3G

While the functions of 3G technology are far more advanced than those available on the 2G network, coverage is not as extensive. Once you step outside metropolitan areas, 3G coverage generally dips and you could find your phone tapping into a 2G network operating in that area. If top speed and latest functionality are must haves, you'll need to keep this in mind when venturing outside the city limits. Coverage can vary though, so check with your chosen 3G provider.

Optus, Telstra, 3Mobile and Vodafone all use the GMS network standard, UMTS, and each phone company offers a selection of mobile phones and plans that should avoid problems with 3G compatibility.

What to look for in a 3G mobile phone

3G mobiles can be expensive. Some companies offer “mini”3G phones in the lower price ranges but bear in mind that multimedia features in these smaller phones may be limited, although social network features are very good in most 3G enabled mobile phones.

The main thing to consider when sourcing your 3G mobile is what features you want on your phone. Looks will almost always play a role but some of the more stylish phones can lack the extensive features of their more conservative cousins, so if multimedia functionality is your main desire then fashion may have to be ignored. Of course, modern smart phones such as the iPhone may well have effectively countered this trend. Cost of the iPhone, and equivalent BlackBerry & Google devices, may push smart phones beyond reasonable contention for some however.

One last thought: with technology inevitably ever evolving, 3G is also due an update – in the form of 4G, which will arrive during 2010, with Vivid Wireless' mobile broadband service. Whilst it doesn't negate 3G's useful and innovative qualities, the arrival of 4G is sure to take Internet on the move to the next level. Benefits of 4G remain a little vague at this stage, but mobile aficionados are still excitedly bracing themselves for a close encounter of the fourth kind. Watch this space indeed.