3G means two different mobile technologies
4 February 2005
Does it matter what the 3G mobile network technology happens to be as long as you can make phone calls, send text and photo messages, read email and watch video clips on a phone? Well, it does if you want to know where on earth you can use your 3G phone (that you will own one of these days). Two different 3G mobile technologies are widely used across the world and if your new 3G phone happens to be of the other technology than the network you are trying to connect to, don't bother calling the helpdesk.
The greatest benefits from 3G mobile technology for our daily lives will be the new and improved communication possibilities, such as fast email and instant messaging capabilities, sending and receiving video and music, or watching highlights of TV programs on a mobile phone. 3G won't be such a big deal when it comes to ordinary phone calls, except for people who travel (they'll benefit from better global roaming arrangements) and for people who like to do many things simultaneously (they'll be able to talk and download emails at the same time).
The mobile industry has come a long way to reach the 3G era, and has managed to agree on only two global standards for mobile phones and networks: WCDMA and CDMA 1xEV. (for explanation of the abbreviations, see the glossary at the end of this story)
Before going into further details of 3G, it is important to understand where the two technologies and their family members come from, because a mobile phone typically belongs to one technology family only.
|
2G (2nd generation mobile technology) |
2.5G |
3G |
GSM technology family |
GSM |
GPRS, EDGE |
WCDMA (or UMTS), HSPDA |
CDMA technology family |
CDMAOne, |
CDMA2000, |
CDMA 1x EV, including both EV-DO and EV-DV |
Telecommunication experts may argue which technology belongs to which generation, and especially proponents of a particular 2.5G technology often try to raise their technology to a higher category, but these categories of mobile technology generations represent a commonly agreed view. ITU has defined some factors that make a technology 3G compliant, such as the capability to transfer information at broadband speeds, international roaming and multimedia functionality on the phone. You can read more about the criteria for 3G here.
The fact that there are two distinctly different 3G technologies means that a mobile phone and the network must be of the same technology family. For example, a CDMA phone doesn't connect to a WCDMA network, no matter how many of the letters in the abbreviations match. In theory, it is possible to manufacture phones that can access two different technology families of mobile networks, but in practice, it is technically challenging and the product easily becomes too expensive. Samsung SCH-A790 is a product that can do exactly this in 2G networks: it can connect both to CDMA and GSM.
It is, however, technically achievable and also better business to design phones that can access two or more different mobile networks that belong to the same technology family. For example, many WCDMA (3G) phones come with GSM (2G) network connectivity for increasing the phone's coverage outside WCDMA coverage areas.
- From the outside, 3G phones don't look so different to other advanced mobile phones, but there's plenty of power inside. Left: a CDMA 1xEV-DO phone from LG. Right: Sony Ericsson V800, a WCDMA 3G phone.
It is also worthwhile remembering that no matter which mobile G technology is in question, once the phone is connected to a network, it is possible to dial any phone number (the service subscription permitting), because the background connectivity work is carried out between server computers and telephone exchanges.
In many countries, there is only one choice for the 3G technology, which is great, because 3G phones available in that country will be compatible with all network operators. Only when traveling, will you have to check out which network standard is used in your overseas travel destination. If you can choose between 3G technologies, you may select the technology that better suits your needs, but changing network operators and ensuring network coverage require a bit more planning.
|
Mainstream 3G technology in the region |
Other technologies |
Japan |
WCDMA |
Only KDDI has built CMDA 1xEV network. |
Korea |
CDMA 1xEV |
|
China |
3G not yet widely in use, both WCDMA and CDMA 1xEV are likely to be used. |
GSM networks are still being built across the country. |
Asia: other than Japan, Korea and China |
WCDMA |
|
Australia, Oceania |
WCDMA and CDMA 1xEV |
For instance, both WCDMA and CDMA 1xEV-DO co-exist in Australia. |
Europe |
WCDMA |
WCDMA follows GSM as the standard on the continent. CDMA2000 networks are being built in some Eastern Europe countries. |
North America |
Both CDMA 1x EV-DO (Verizon) and WCDMA (Cingular AT&T) |
|
Central America |
3G not widely used yet. Both WCDMA and CDMA 1xEV likely. |
|
South America |
3G not widely used yet. Both WCDMA and CDMA 1xEV likely. |
Technology varies by country. For example, both 3G technologies used in Brazil. |
Africa |
3G not widely used yet. WCDMA more likely. |
GSM and EDGE networks are currently being built. |
Middle East |
3G not widely used yet. WCDMA more likely. |
GSM and EDGE. |
CDMA2000 and CDMA 1xEV mobile network operators by country are listed here.
WCDMA networks by country are listed here.
Whatever the 3G technology, service subscribers will enjoy the new imaging, audio and messaging functionality available in the network. The chances are also much better that the 3G phone can be used in other countries in addition to your home country – in the same way that GSM users have become used roam across the globe for more than 10 years already.
| Check prices: | USD | EUR | |
| Samsung A890 CDMA 1xEV-DO: | $ | ||
| Samsung Z105 WCDMA/UMTS: | € | ||
| Siemens U15 WCDMA/UMTS | € |
| ||||
