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We in India, have been stuck in 2.5G for quite some time now. As in my last article about the advent of smartphones, 3G is necessary for the proper use of such devices. 3G is the latest technology in the field of mobile communications. 3G, which is the third generation of communication, is intended mainly for use with true multimedia phones, also called as smartphones. These have the capability to transfer data at high rates and in turn require higher bandwidth, thus requiring a new technology that we know as 3G.
3G includes the use of several communication technologies like GSM Edge, CDMA 2000 and WiMAX. Compared to the existing 2.5G technology in India, 3G allows special services like simultaneous speech and data services and high data rates. The data rates can go upto 14.4 Mbps compared to the 144 Kbps of 2G technology. Japan has always been the most advanced country when it comes to mobile technology. It was also the first country to commercially launch 3G, by a company called NTT Docomo. This is the same company which has now partnered Tata to provide the Tata Docomo GSM services in India.
3G operators however have to bear the high cost of licensing fees. The Indian Govt. though has yet to take a concrete decision on the same. 3G will however introduce newer features and speeds of atleast 2 Mbps, something that most of us haven’t really experienced yet, even in wired broadband connections. The security too is better than the current generation of mobile communication. But the operators have to invest a large amount in upgrading their existing infrastructure to support this technology.
Some of the issues of 3G are:
The India Government on the other hand has finally set the terms for the long awaited auction of the 3G licenses. The minimum price for each license has been set at a staggering Rs.35 billion. There will be only 4 licenses available in each of the regional circles, not counting the state run BSNL/MTNL. With this, the Government will complete the auction within 3 months and raise atleast Rs.250 million. The WiMAX license will also be available at Rs.17.5 billion per license. Even before the rollout of 3G, there are 3G enabled mobile handsets available for just Rs.5000($100), by the low cost handset manufacturer Micromax. However BSNL/MTNL has already started 3G operations in certain circles and has been met with great fanfare from the youth. The delay in private operators getting the licenses has however deprived the consumers from the benefit of lower prices from the resulting competition. The value added services will also be better from the private operators, compared to the state run operators. We just have to see how 3G fares in our country, and how well it is accepted.
Ananth Acharya
Guest Blogger
www.ATechiesThoughts.com
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