There’s no denying the fact that 3G is the talk of the town. For some months, every media platform had been going gaga over this new technological twist. Only everyone has a different take on how 3G would eventually impact our lives, some completely off-key. Say, for example, the junior Bachchan in his ads. He has been professing that 3G’s better speed means better communications and downloads, so hardly any time for... well, let’s leave it at that. The junior B might be espousing the population cause, but behind the humour, you can’t ignore the more than obvious reference to the 3G’s biggest edge over earlier technologies. 3G, goes without saying, is impactful and furiously fast. But, is that all there is to 3G? Let’s find out.

What’s 3G, anyway?

Everyone’s talking 3G, or at least, talking about it. Let’s try and decipher what this coded message like means.

3G, as it is commonly known around the world, is an acronym for ‘Third Generation’. In more technical terms, 3G is called UMTS, which in its full form means ‘Universal Mobile Telecommunications System’. This technology enables cell phones to offer high-speed internet access, data, video and high quality music. In other words, it is a set of mobile technologies which comprise a host of high-tech infrastructure networks, handsets, base stations, switches and other equipments. Even though it has already caught on, it is said to be the next generation of mobile network.

Where exactly did it begin?

Despite it being a relatively new phenomenon in this country, 3G has been around for quite some time. The first 3G cellular phones were launched in Japan in October 2001. It took some years before it spread to other countries; say for example, South Africa, where it was introduced in 2004.

The idea behind the technology

Mobile phone usage in the early part of the last decade rose considerably around the globe. The manufacturers were working furiously to provide add-ons that could turn the piddly-looking phone into much more than just a moving machine to talk on. This phone was designed so users would be able to surf the internet, something which was already a rage, view pictures of the people they are talking to and watch movies and listen to music on their handsets.

What does it offer?

If one were to describe the impact of 3G on your cellphone, it is ‘speed’. That’s one catchword that had been on the mind of mobile phone users using internet. You connect to the internet and try downloading something and that’s when you realise what the old saints meant when they professed that patience is a virtue. Hasn’t it happened umpteen times with you? You want to download a song and it takes so long, you wonder if it would be better to drive down to the nearest concert to listen to it live. Okay, that’s an exaggeration, but frankly it comes very near to what the reality is. That’s your standard 2G.

Now, with the entry of 3G, things have changed for better. This time when you download a song you realise that it has been done in less than quarter of time you earlier took.

How does it work?

The 3G technology is mainly supported by Wideband CDMA, which is even faster than GSM and GPRS. 3G system works wonders for ardent users of mobile phones as its wide bandwidth provides high-speed connectivity for data transmission. Due to high level broadband frequency, the 3G-enabled mobile phones are bound to deliver high-end performance.

Apart a plethora of great functions at your fingertips like seeing videos, fast emailing, downloading and video calling, 3G is a big boon to music lovers, with very fast downloading and various options.

The Cool Stuffs

Now, on to the stuff that matters a lot to any music lover; the boom machine. Goes without saying that any technology is as good as its carrier, handsets in this case. The market, no doubt is flooded with almost all major players having their own versions of 3G mobiles. Let’s look at some players and what they offer.

Sony Ericsson It makes sense to start with Sony Ericsson. No matter what technology comes, there’s no denying Sony’s impact when it has anything to do with music. So, would it be far behind when it comes to 3G! Far from it. It’s Xperia Arc is one wonder machine that would make any music lover go ‘wow’ when used. Loaded with umpteen features, it’s an amazing buy and has a price advantage compared to other big 3G players. 

LG Despite some amazing range, LG invariably remains a fringe player in mobile market. LG’s Optimus 2X P990 is one player to fight with the goliaths. It’s a good touch screen phone, though for music lovers it does come with a slight disappointment, lacking the impact others put and far removed from Sony’s musical punch. The only advantage is the price tag, tough Sony is again there to give a run for its money.

HTC The big boss of touch screen, smart phones, HTC is always up ahead when presenting a new technology. For 3G, HTC has Sensation that’s a wonderful machine, though slightly on the higher side with its pricing. For the real connoisseurs of technology, HTC brings Flyer, a tablet cum phone, which is a loaded machine with almost all imaginable features. Obviously it comes with a hefty price tag. But, the flip side to HTC is its leaning towards business aspects of telephony. The design and features give it more professional feel to it, unlike the funkiness of Sony.

Blackberry The niche player that has, of late, shaken off its uppity to become a mass market product. Its 3G entry is with Torch 9800, which has both a qwerty keypad and a touch screen. Though any Blackberry comes with its set of amazing features, it is not exactly the mean machine when it comes to music.
Almost all the above gadgets, as also others like them, are well-equipped with power-packed features, enabling you to communicate and enjoy loads of fun. Actually, the 3G-compatible handsets allow you to balance your personal and professional fronts.

Hot, Happening and with a Great Future

If you are a music lover or even otherwise, there’s no denying the fact that 3G is a wonderful platform and is set to create more than just ripples. A great deal of potential exists for new applications in the future as 3G packet based networks will allow users to be on line all the time. The capabilities of wireless networks in terms of bandwidth must still, however, be improved upon. There’s no denying that in the days and years to come, 3G is bound to change the way we use our telephones. So get hold of the latest 3G mobile phone and experience hi-tech mobility.

And, while junior Bachchan might have different agenda with this wonderful technology, you and I and all the music lovers know what we need to do with our 3G. No denying that when we use it, we mind end up borrowing the famous line from the advertisement, though with a slight tweak: “What speed, sirji!”

- By Rajesh iyer
(To give bouquets or throw brickbats, the writer is available at raajeshiyyer@yahoo.co.in)