Saturday, April 24, 2010

What does 3G wireless mean for you?

After being postponed several times in the last two years, the long-awaited auction process for 3G services is well on its way and mobile subscribers in India can soon expect to see a revolutionary change in the way telecom services will be available to them.

3G is all about speed, speed, and more speed! 3G represents a paradigm shift from the voice-centric world of the previous generations of wireless networks to the multimedia-centric world of 3G. Simply put, it will shift the focus from the ears to the eyes. It is the next generation of wireless network technology that provides high speed bandwidth (high data transfer rates) to handheld mobile devices. The high data transfer rates will allow 3G networks to offer multimedia services combining voice and data.

3G services will seamlessly combine superior voice quality telephony, high-speed mobile IP services, IT, rich media, and offer diverse content. The characteristics of 3G services will ensure 'always on' Internet download speeds of up to 2Mbps.

There's no doubt that 3G represents the next big thing in mobility. Just as broadband Internet access took over from conventional dial-up and radically changed the way you were able to use the Internet from conventional desktop and laptop computers, 3G holds the same promise for mobile users accessing and leveraging the Internet while on the move. Suddenly, the hours travelling on the road or rail or waiting at airports or in between meetings will become productive and entertaining for all of us.

3G services, apart from giving us capacity and speed, will give us the benefits of multitasking. Consider ourselves as wireless knowledge workers who will have far greater flexibility, efficiency and speed of response to a multitude of demanding situations in real time, while we are on the move. We shall soon be capable of getting an exciting range of mobile services such as mobile office services, virtual banking, home shopping, video-conferencing, rich multimedia with streaming audio & video, email and instant messaging with audio/ video clips, online entertainment like mobile TV and many more services which not only will be location-based but will also include personalised services where specific content can be pushed to users based on individual needs!

Video conferencing

Face-to-face video calling between compatible 3G mobile phones: Users will be able to see each other as they talk on the move. Think of it as a webcam you carry in your pocket. Look at the time and costs (what with the increasing complexity of traffic and oil prices) you will save by not travelling for one-on-one meetings!

TV & video on demand

A user will be able to watch TV channels on their mobile phone. Just imagine the thrill of being able to watch the crucial sports matches or your favourite 'soap' on your mobile when you are stuck in the middle of a traffic jam. You can also 'demand' a movie or a TV programme of your choice!

Social networking

Social networking has seen a monumental influx of users over the past several years as websites like YouTube, MySpace, Facebook and Twitter have gained widespread traction in India and mind you, it is not only restricted to the youth. I know a fare share of users who are the not-so-welcome parents. These sites typically allow you to post and share videos, pictures and comments of your personal lives to a central site that can then be accessed by the general public or select users. Millions of users around the globe are accessing these websites, downloading and uploading photos and videos as well as communicating online via their mobile devices.

With faster speeds of 3G services soon coming to your doorstep, imagine being able to connect to Facebook & Twitter and a host of all those social networking and instant messaging without any delays. Post your 'status' every hour or Tweet constantly even while on the move.

Location-based services

A location-based service (LBS) is an information service provided by telecom operators that is accessible by your mobile phone. LBS services utilise the geographic position of the mobile phone to provide location information to the user. Uses of LBS include mapping and navigation applications and social networking services based on location and presence technologies either embedded in the handset or placed in the network.

LBS services can be used in a variety of contexts, such as healthcare, professional and personal life. LBS services include services to identify a location of a person or object, such as finding the nearest ATM machine, business or the location of a friend or employee. LBS services include parcel tracking and vehicle tracking services. They include personalised weather services, traffic alerts and even location-based games. LBS services can include mobile commerce when taking the form of coupons or advertising directed at customers based on their current location. Retailers can deploy applications that recognise potential consumers' presence within a given geographic area-for example, as they walk past a store- and deliver highly personalised multimedia marketing content to entice them into the store. Beware all you impulsive shoppers!

The consumer benefits of 3G are clear: downloading songs in mere seconds, surfing the Internet at fast speeds, or streaming live television and satellite radio broadcasts. But how does this next-generation wireless protocol stack up when it comes to the critical area of costs? The 3G spectrum will hopefully be auctioned successfully, and while its primary purpose was to contribute to the further development of the telecom sector and benefit the Indian subscribers, it has also captured attention for its probable positive impact on India's fiscal health and its exchange rate. Just as the intense competitive environment that exists amongst the 2G service providers has ensured that cellular services in India are available at amongst the lowest tariff rates in the world, let us hope that 3G services will also follow suit and likewise be available at an affordable price so that the masses can enjoy the multitude of benefits of 3G.

If you want to join the party, make sure that you buy a 3G compatible mobile phone, the next time you are in the market to replace your faithful but soon to be obsolete 2G device.

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