How to Work 3G Mobile Phones

Mobile-phone Network Technologies: 3G

3G technology is the latest in mobile communications. 3G stands for "third generation"--this makes analog cellular technology generation one and digital/PCS generation two. 3G technology is intended for the true multimedia cell phone--typically called smartphones--and features increased bandwidth and transfer rates to accommodate Web-based applications and phone-based audio and video files.

3G comprises several cellular access technologies. The three most

common ones as of 2005 are:

CDMA2000 - based on 2G Code Division Multiple Access (see Cellular Access Technologies)

WCDMA (UMTS) - Wideband Code Division Multiple Access

TD-SCDMA - Time-division Synchronous Code-division Multiple Access

3G networks have potential transfer speeds of up to 3 Mbps (about 15 seconds to download a 3-minute MP3 song). For comparison, the fastest 2G phones can achieve up to 144Kbps (about 8 minutes to download a 3-minute song). 3G's high data rates are ideal for downloading information from the Internet and sending and receiving large, multimedia files. 3G phones are like mini-laptops and can accommodate broadband applications like video conferencing, receiving streaming video from the Web, sending and receiving faxes and instantly downloading e-mail messages with attachments.

Of course, none of this would be possible without those soaring towers that carry cell-phone signals from phone to phone.

3G is a cell phone network protocol.

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Sony Ericsson G700

At MWC 2008 in Barcelona, Sony Ericsson presented its G-class. In contrast to Mercedes’ this one targets the mass consumer. Although they use Symbian UIQ, the phones presented should not be viewed as smart ones. They are rather average, easy to operate devices, for which the touchscreen and the OS are extras broadening their potential on the market.In this preview, we will explore the G700, intended as a mid-level phone.

Design:
The phone has the typical Sony Ericsson candybar look and dimensions of 4.2 x 1.9 x 0.5 inches (106 x 49 x 13 mm) and weighs 3.5 oz (99 g). In contrast to its older brother G900, the device has more of a fashion design. All edges are rounded and the back lid is ribbed, which adds a pleasant stability feeling while using it. We liked the colors used as well – the one seen here is in dark and light brown. We liked this one more than the official silk bronze and we wonder why it has not been announced. The Touchscreen is 2.4” TFT and it has a 240 x 320 pixels resolution, supporting up to 262k colors. On its right side is a scroll symbol, but specific hardware for that function is missing (as in the dash for example), so you have to use the touch-display instead. Besides the touch-input, it also has all necessary hardware navigation buttons (including soft keys), which allows it to be used just as a standard phone. The buttons and the D-pad are standard in design, except for the two small round shortcuts to notes and messaging. The same goes for the numeric keypad, which is divided in three columns far from each other.
The entire body is encircled by a light brown line, on which are located the camera and the volume buttons (on the right), power button and the stylus holder (on top). The keyboard/display lock button and the M2 Memory Card slot and charger input are on the left.
A 3.2-megapixel with fixed focus and a flash camera is located on the back. We think that because the phone is intended for the mid-level consumer, the camera quality is good enough.
Interface:
Still, there is something similar between the G-classes of Sony Ericsson and Mercedes – they cannot be inspected in one aspect only. The automobiles of the German giant are luxurious means of transportation off-road and on the highway, and the phones are a hybrid between a quality candybar and touchscreen handset. G700 performed very well as a regular phone - easy access to all options via the keyboard and the D-pad. The menu interface is similar to the one used in the new SE models (K660, K850, W890 and others) and has large beautiful icons. However, the use of Symbian UIQ is notable not only because of the slight lag felt when opening the separate applications. The big innovation is the presence of the standby applications on the start screen. They are fully customizable and by default are: my shortcuts, favorite contacts, appointments, new messages and main menu, but you can easily add many more – alarm, bookmarks, music. There even are two presets for the icon appearance (default and business).
We are already familiar with the media menu from the latest SE models. In other words, in one place (with flash-based interface) we have the photo gallery (with tagging options, slideshow), the multifunctional music and video players. The fact that you may never experience the need to use the touchscreen does not mean that it is not manufactured properly. On the contrary, everything related to it is fine-crafted, beautifully calibrated with the comfortable stylus, and for text input there is software keyboard (one version only) and handwriting recognition. Via the small icon next to the signal strength, you will have access to all frequently used functions, even with the standby applications turned off.
The camera interface is similar to the one seen in G900, with big and easy to press icons, but with reduced options. Since the model has a fixed focus, the respective menu and the scenes menus are missing. In their place, we have a white balance and a self-timer.
The model is tri-band GSM (900/1800/1900 MHz) and single band UMTS, not supporting HSDPA and Wi-Fi, which is typical for the mid-level. It is notable that the browser is in the process of being developed and has trouble visualizing web pages, so we cannot give you our final opinion. We still think it is very promising because it has the new window, landscape and zoom in/out options.

The fact that Sony Ericsson has managed to fit so many different classes in one, is impressive. G700 could be what you want it to be, no matter if you like average, smart or touch phones. For us it was really convenient to use it as a standard candybar, but what type of phone it will be for you is your choice.

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Over 100 Million UMTS/HSPA Mobile Broadband Subscriptions

Over 100 Million UMTS/HSPA Mobile Broadband Subscriptions Added Year-Over-Year

3G Americas, a wireless industry trade association representing the GSM family of technologies including LTE, today reports that 3G UMTS/HSPA mobile broadband technology continues its momentum throughout the world, adding more than 100 million subscriptions in the twelve months ending in the third quarter 2008 -- achieving a significant milestone in subscriber additions. At the end of third quarter 2008, global GSM/HSPA wireless subscriptions were nearly 3.4 billion adding 688 million new subscriptions for the GSM family of technologies in one year and capturing an 88.5% share of market, according to industry research firm, Informa Telecoms & Media.

In the Western Hemisphere, the number of GSM/HSPA subscriptions continued to grow at an explosive rate, having reached 499 million subscriptions at the end of the third quarter and then passing the half a billion milestone in October. CDMA technologies registered 463 million total subscriptions worldwide as of third quarter 2008, according to the CDMA Development Group. In comparison, there are more GSM/HSPA connections in the Americas region than CDMA narrowband connections worldwide. The GSM family of technologies represents 69% share of market in North, Central and South America, and registered annual growth of 115 million subscriptions at the end of September 2008, an annual growth rate of 30%. Informa forecasts more than 628 million GSM/HSPA subscriptions in the Americas region by the end of 2010.

GSM operators throughout the Americas region continue to evolve their networks to UMTS/HSPA.

"As evidenced by the subscriber growth numbers, the GSM family of technologies continues to provide the four key ingredients for mobile wireless success: Coverage, Technology Performance, Devices and Applications," stated Chris Pearson, President of 3G Americas. "The UMTS/HSPA mobile broadband technology achieved a total of 262 million subscriptions at the end of September 2008, continuing in its ranking as the leader in high speed mobile broadband technology worldwide."

Wireless technologies in Latin America continue to expand tremendously with a total of 378 million GSM/HSDPA subscriptions and 87% share of market. CDMA subscriptions continue to decline and totaled 45 million as of 3Q 2008, down from 56 million one year earlier and now representing only 10% share of market.

"It's remarkable what has occurred in the transition of the GSM family of technologies to mobile broadband in Latin America and the Caribbean in only ten years," commented Erasmo Rojas, Director of Latin America and the Caribbean. "In 1998, the first GSM network was deployed in the region, it took only five years before EDGE was commercially deployed in Chile in 2003, and three years later the first commercial UMTS/HSPA network was also deployed in Chile.

"Equally impressive is the uptake of 3G services throughout the region driven by the phenomenal success of the HSPA-enabled USB dongle as a competitive fixed broadband alternative, both on speed and price. In many cases, it is indeed the only available broadband connection," continued Rojas.

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