In 2006, 3G systems were starting to be widely deployed. The picture differed from country to country and even between operators, with new operators predictably having the largest deployments. There is a range of 3G technologies, all based around CDMA technology and including W-CDMA (with both FDD and TDD variants), TD-SCDMA (the Chinese standard) and Cdma2000 (the US standard). The key characteristics of 3G systems include the ability to carry video calls and video streaming material and realistic data rates extending up to 384 kbits/s in both packet and circuit switched modes. See best funny wifi names

For some time there was heated discussion about the likelihood of 3G being successful. With slow deployment and limited subscriber growth between 2000 and 2004 there were many who were quick to predict disaster. Others pointed to the growth of WiFi and the imminent arrival of WiMax and predicted that this would significantly disrupt 3G deployment. However, between 2004 and 2006 these doubts slowly faded. Operators continued to deploy 3G networks and subscriber numbers started to rise more quickly. Handsets became more attractive and the lower cost per call of 3G compared to 2G became increasingly clear.

In 2006, few would now doubt that 3G networks will be widely deployed, that they will eventually take over from 2G in most areas and that subscribers will increasingly migrate from 2G. However, growth may occur more because the cellular operators ‘push’ the new technology than the subscribers demand it. Many subscribers may find themselves migrated over to 3G when they require a new phone despite the fact that they do not want to use any of the new services offered. It is possible that operators will not make a good return on their total investment comprising auction fees, network deployment costs and handset subsidies. However, we will eventually all be using 3G technologies. Whether 3G can be judged a success under such conditions depends on your point of view!

How things have changed. The original premise of 3G was that end users would like to be able to do much more than just voice and low-speed data with their mobile phones. In addition, they might like to have 3G applications like video calls, watch video clips such as key sporting highlights, transfer volumes of data requiring more than 100 kbits/s, browse websites when outdoors and much more. It was suggested that 2G systems were unable to do this because they had an insufficiently high data rate for some applications and insufficient capacity to add video calls and other new applications on to the network. Early launches of 3G networks did indeed stress the ability to have video calls, see video clips and so on.

However, in 2006, the situation was that by and large the benefits of 3G applications were being realized as increased voice call capacity, allowing more calls for less cost. Video calling capabilities were not being widely promoted, instead downloads of music videos were offered. So far, there appears to have been a major disconnect between the initial view of what users would want from 3G and the experience of what users actually paid for. It may, however, be too early to judge this. Major changes in behavior often take some time. For example, the Internet bubble of the late 1990s was based upon the assumption of, for example, mass purchasing via the Internet. This failed to transpire by 2000 resulting in the bubble bursting. But by 2006 Internet purchasing had reached some 10% of total purchasing and it was clear that a major shift in purchasing patterns had occurred. Following this parallel, it may take ten years from the introduction of 3G wireless network before some of the services it offers become widely accepted.

The outlook for 3G technology. As discussed above, 3G networks will be deployed by virtually all of the major operators and subscribers will be transferred over to the new networks. 3G wireless network will probably have a lifetime similar to that of 2G – in the vicinity of 20 years. With enhancements to the standard, this life could be even longer. Also, see Funny Wifi Names https://cool-wifi-names.website/funny-wifi-names/

3G will face competition from other technologies. W-LAN systems will continue to proliferate in hotspots, homes, and offices. Indoor voice and data traffic will increasingly migrate to these W-LAN networks which will be cheaper, faster and probably provide better signal quality. WiMax may provide competition, although, as discussed below, this is not certain. The use of new services may also expand on 3G as consumers become more comfortable with them, or as penetration grows. Growing penetration is key for two-way services such as video calls which require both parties to have a suitably equipped phone.

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