What Are 3G Phones?

The telephony devices which operate on third generation (3G) networks are known as 3G phones. The receivers and transmitters based on 3G technologies cannot operate on 1G or 2G networks. Devices based on 3G technology are more expensive as compared to others (1G and 2G based devices).

In 1980s first generation cellular phones were introduced because AMPS (advance mobile phone service) networks were launched in that period. These networks were the first generation networks. The access technology used in these networks was frequency division multiple access (FDMA). This network operates over 800 megahertz of frequency band which was used to carry voice services from phone to phone.

During 1990s two different versions of second generation phones were implemented all over the world. First version used code division multiple access (CDMA) system which is employed in North America. This method provides service to 64 users per channel. The second version of 2G technology phones used time division multiple access (TDMA) method which was implemented in all other parts of the world. This service allows 8 users per channel.

New models of cellular phones were introduced based on IMT-2000 system. This system was introduced by International Telecommunications Union. These are known as 3G phones, which have additional features other than delivering voice service over the network. These additional features include multimedia applications such as broadband and video technology. 3G phones are also far more efficient than 1G and 2G phones.

3G phones offers 5.8 megabits per second of upload speed and download speed of 14.4 megabits per second. When the user is moving or driving a vehicle, the speed drops to the minimum of 348 kilobits per second. While at stationary use, the minimum speed is 2 megabits per second.

Multi-layer system is used to control 3G phones. Top layer, middle layer and bottom layer are divided to perform different operations like general service, data control and basic connectivity information respectively. This multi-layer system creates an advantage over Wi-Fi, which focus on Internet access and has a shorter range in its network. Internet capabilities of 3G phones have advantages of secure layering also.

The main feature of 3G phones is to provide security. An encryption data process is used to provide security in mobile-to-mobile connection. Nowadays, KASUMI block crypto (encryption process) is used to encrypt data. Previously A5/1 stream cipher was used for data encryption in cellular phones, but is has limited capabilities and some shortcomings also.

3G phones have been implemented in North America, Japan, Europe, South Korea but many countries in world still operates the older technology devices. The reasons behind not accepting the 3G technology phones by other countries is that 3G phones can only be used after the installation of the 3G based networks and which are really expensive to implement. Secondly, licensing agreements can vary sharply in different countries. In 1998, 3rd Generation Partnership Project was formed to mitigate the problems and help in deploying 3G phones. This project has helped the implementation of 3G phones throughout the world.

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