| | | | | and efficiently perform this function directly by using |
| What is 3G? | | | | your cell phone. Alternatively, you can use your cell |
| | | | | phone as a modem to be connected to your laptop |
| 3G (Third Generation) is also known as UMTS | | | | or PDA (Personal Digital Assistant). |
| (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) and is | | | | |
| said to be the next generation of mobile network. 3G | | | | Games |
| is described by Cellular (2004) as being a generic | | | | |
| name for a set of mobile technologies which | | | | Since the invention of cell phones, games have |
| comprise a host of high-tech infrastructure networks, | | | | always formed a part of mobile devices. As |
| handsets, base stations, switches and other | | | | technology has developed, the games we are able to |
| equipment. This technology enables cell phones to | | | | engage in have become far more interactive, exciting |
| offer high-speed Internet access, data, video and | | | | and entertaining. For those who play games over |
| CD-quality music services. | | | | their mobile devices for recreation purposes or for |
| | | | | those who simply play to pass the time, 3G now |
| The introduction of 3G | | | | makes it possible to download these games at |
| | | | | anytime and from almost anywhere. |
| 3G cellular phones were first launched in Japan in | | | | |
| October 2001 and were introduced into South Africa | | | | Film |
| in December 2004. This phone was designed so users | | | | |
| would be able to surf the Internet, view pictures of | | | | The speed and quality of 3G really contributes to |
| the people they are talking to, watch movies and | | | | enhancing the quality of film over mobile devices. One |
| listen to music on their handsets . | | | | is now able to view film trailers, reviews, and |
| | | | | interviews, download ring tones, wall papers and |
| The difference between 3G and GPRS | | | | enter competitions all by means of your cell phone. |
| | | | | |
| GPRS and 3G serve similar functions but 3G data | | | | Sport |
| services are the next step up from GPRS (Vodacom, | | | | |
| 2004). The main difference between these two | | | | With the incredible sound and video quality of your |
| technologies is that 3G is able to achieve significantly | | | | 3G phone you can view highlights from your |
| faster data transfer rates and this enables one to | | | | favourite matches and you’ll always have access |
| work faster. 3G offers speeds of up to 384 kilobits | | | | to the latest scores. |
| per second – that is up to 7 times faster than a | | | | |
| standard dial-up connection. | | | | |
| | | | | Music |
| What are the benefits of 3G? | | | | It's now possible for you to download songs, music |
| | | | | videos and interviews. You can even compose your |
| With 3G you can do everything you do now, but you | | | | own ring tone through your cell phone if you wish! |
| can do it much better, a lot faster and from almost | | | | |
| anywhere! Some of the main advantages are that 3G | | | | 3G and its impact on websites |
| allows for higher call volumes and supports multimedia | | | | |
| data applications such as video and photography. | | | | The importance of having a web site in today’s |
| | | | | world is evident. Some have even gone so far as to |
| | | | | say that if your company does not have a web site, |
| The effects of 3G on society | | | | you do not exist! With the introduction of 3G |
| | | | | technology, this statement will probably become |
| Some of the latest features which have been | | | | more and more true as people from across the globe |
| brought about by this technology are :- | | | | will soon be able to access the Internet at almost |
| | | | | any time and from almost any place. |
| | | | | |
| | | | | How are 3G services charged? |
| Video calling | | | | |
| | | | | Users are charged on how much data they transmit |
| With 3G you can now actually see the person on the | | | | and not on how much time they are connected to |
| other side! As long as both people have a 3G phone | | | | the network. This is because with 3G you are |
| you no longer have to imagine what they look like | | | | constantly online and only pay for the information |
| and you can see them face-to-face via your cell | | | | you receive (3G Newsroom.com, n.d). |
| phone’s screen. | | | | |
| | | | | The future of 3G |
| Obtaining information and news | | | | |
| | | | | A great deal of potential exists for new applications |
| With 3G technology it is possible to access any site | | | | in the future as 3G packet based networks will allow |
| on the Internet by using your phone as a modem | | | | users to be on line all the time. The capabilities of |
| with your laptop. You can use your favourite search | | | | wireless networks in terms of bandwidth must still, |
| engines to find information on the weather, the daily | | | | however, be improved upon (3GNewsroom.com, n.d.). |
| news, stocks and shares, or practically any other | | | | |
| information you require to ensure that you are | | | | Conclusion |
| continually on top of things. | | | | |
| | | | | 3G is an exciting new technology that is being |
| E-mail | | | | incorporated into mobile devices across the globe. |
| | | | | Users are now able to make person-to-person calls, |
| Should you have left your office and forgotten to | | | | download data and do a variety of other tasks they |
| send an important e-mail, you are now able to quickly | | | | never imagined possible all via their 3G cell phones. |