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Going 3G? Here's What To Expect!
Techtree News Staff, Dec 12, 2008 1623 hrs ISTMTNL's 3G coverage available only at select locations in the capital now; Mumbai and Chennai in line
With Delhi going 3G since yesterday, the country has completed a milestone of sorts by graduating to a completely new technology that is set to revolutionize mobile telephony in the country.
MTNL's 3G coverage is available at select locations in the capital, and for now, users would be able use the service free and check out how it works. As a trial run of sorts, more people would be able to use 3G services once Mumbai and Chennai too go on the 3G network in the weeks to come.
Now that we finally have 3G services in India, albeit in its nascent stages, what could this mean for the end user? What could you possibly do with the 3G services? Is it just about the faster data speeds, or is there much more to it? In brief, I would like to explain what the arrival of 3G could mean to your hitherto unused 3G enabled phone.
Faster Downloads
Obviously, faster downloads have been touted as the most prominent feature addition with our networks going 3G. From slow, dial-up like speeds that so many of us have been accustomed to with GPRS, a sudden boost to broadband-like speeds would be a quantum leap. With 3G, users can expect faster downlink speeds of upto 2 Mbits per second or even more, depending on how the carrier implements it. Typically, the speed drops while traveling and stabilizes if you're stationary. While there are no 'norms' on what speed qualifies as the benchmark to be called '3G,' any thing between 348 kbits/s and 2 mbits/s should keep users and the regulatory authorities happy.
Faster downlink speeds also lead to the opening of a whole new range of services that can be availed off your mobile phone now. Things like downloading music and streaming videos - which were only limited to PCs - will now find their way into mobile phones. Also, with the colossal amount of memory mobile phones of today possess, even movie downloads cannot be ruled out. This will however only involve a small percentage of the 3G user base. In the end, it all drops down to how well the 3G tariffs are packaged.
In the future, the option of adopting 3.5G standards under HSPA (High Speed Packet Access) could mean a further boost in downlink and uplink speeds. HSPA offers technologies like HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) and HSUPA (High Speed Uplink Packet Access), which can boost the downlink and uplink speeds even further. HSDPA, for example, can download data at 14 Mbits/s.
Live Streaming
Live streaming of audio, video, and media files could be easier once 3G is in town. This would be a boon to people who are addicted to services like Youtube and internet radio. While Internet radio is accessible even with existing GPRS connections, the overall quality and experience leaves a lot to be desired. Streaming TV using DVB-H technology could also be a distinct possibility. In fact, Doordarshan had even started DVB-H testing last year, again, in New Delhi.
Video Calling
Video calling is another option that would be available to 3G users once the services are in place. For those who are still in the dark on what this is all about, video calling will enable users to see each other while they're talking. Video calling typically uses the front camera provided on select 3G capable handsets. The service would most probably be packaged as a premium feature and is expected to be priced much higher than a standard phone call. When 3G technology was new, video calling was touted to be the next big thing, with some even claiming that the days of "mundane" phone calls are numbered. However, that was not to be, as high tariffs and the practical usability of video calling put off users who chose to stick with the "normal" way of conversing. Video calling, if charged nominally, should find many users. If not, it could be relegated to the position of where MMS lies now, and it was touted to be the SMS killer!
Better network
With 3G comes better network capacity and services. Apart from "visible" changes like faster data rates and call quality, going 3G also means the networks would be able to offer more connections per cell site without having to worry about the networks being jammed due to the huge flow. The advantage over GSM is due to the inherent design of 3G networks, which uses a layered network architecture with the services occupying the top level, options for system control and upgrades occupying the middle layer, and the actual voice and connectivity transmission occurring in the lowest layer.
Footnotes
The arrival of 3G is a welcome change and is set to revolutionize data-related mobile applications in the country. Existing GPRS services have not found many takers because of their unreliability and the low data speeds offered. Things did change with the arrival of EDGE (Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution) though. However, even EDGE coverage is not comprehensive with only urban centers offering comprehensive EDGE support. The data plans too were uninspiring, which resulted in only those people using the services who actually needed it for business or official purposes. If 3G access is priced nominally, it would mean a greater number of users adopting the technology, thanks to the speed it offers. In its current iteration, 3G even has the capability to compete with mainstream broadband service providers now that would be an interesting battleground! BSNL broadband vs BSNL 3G...! Anyone?
Related Links:
Mumbai To Get 3G In Q1 (FY) 2009
3G Gets Delayed; Limits Players
Chennai Too Will Enjoy 3G Services Says BSNL
3G: Looking Beyond Mobile Phones
iPhone 3G: Dismal Sales In India
MTNL's 3G coverage is available at select locations in the capital, and for now, users would be able use the service free and check out how it works. As a trial run of sorts, more people would be able to use 3G services once Mumbai and Chennai too go on the 3G network in the weeks to come.
Now that we finally have 3G services in India, albeit in its nascent stages, what could this mean for the end user? What could you possibly do with the 3G services? Is it just about the faster data speeds, or is there much more to it? In brief, I would like to explain what the arrival of 3G could mean to your hitherto unused 3G enabled phone.
Faster Downloads
Obviously, faster downloads have been touted as the most prominent feature addition with our networks going 3G. From slow, dial-up like speeds that so many of us have been accustomed to with GPRS, a sudden boost to broadband-like speeds would be a quantum leap. With 3G, users can expect faster downlink speeds of upto 2 Mbits per second or even more, depending on how the carrier implements it. Typically, the speed drops while traveling and stabilizes if you're stationary. While there are no 'norms' on what speed qualifies as the benchmark to be called '3G,' any thing between 348 kbits/s and 2 mbits/s should keep users and the regulatory authorities happy.
Faster downlink speeds also lead to the opening of a whole new range of services that can be availed off your mobile phone now. Things like downloading music and streaming videos - which were only limited to PCs - will now find their way into mobile phones. Also, with the colossal amount of memory mobile phones of today possess, even movie downloads cannot be ruled out. This will however only involve a small percentage of the 3G user base. In the end, it all drops down to how well the 3G tariffs are packaged.
In the future, the option of adopting 3.5G standards under HSPA (High Speed Packet Access) could mean a further boost in downlink and uplink speeds. HSPA offers technologies like HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) and HSUPA (High Speed Uplink Packet Access), which can boost the downlink and uplink speeds even further. HSDPA, for example, can download data at 14 Mbits/s.
Live Streaming
Live streaming of audio, video, and media files could be easier once 3G is in town. This would be a boon to people who are addicted to services like Youtube and internet radio. While Internet radio is accessible even with existing GPRS connections, the overall quality and experience leaves a lot to be desired. Streaming TV using DVB-H technology could also be a distinct possibility. In fact, Doordarshan had even started DVB-H testing last year, again, in New Delhi.
Video Calling
Video calling is another option that would be available to 3G users once the services are in place. For those who are still in the dark on what this is all about, video calling will enable users to see each other while they're talking. Video calling typically uses the front camera provided on select 3G capable handsets. The service would most probably be packaged as a premium feature and is expected to be priced much higher than a standard phone call. When 3G technology was new, video calling was touted to be the next big thing, with some even claiming that the days of "mundane" phone calls are numbered. However, that was not to be, as high tariffs and the practical usability of video calling put off users who chose to stick with the "normal" way of conversing. Video calling, if charged nominally, should find many users. If not, it could be relegated to the position of where MMS lies now, and it was touted to be the SMS killer!
Better network
With 3G comes better network capacity and services. Apart from "visible" changes like faster data rates and call quality, going 3G also means the networks would be able to offer more connections per cell site without having to worry about the networks being jammed due to the huge flow. The advantage over GSM is due to the inherent design of 3G networks, which uses a layered network architecture with the services occupying the top level, options for system control and upgrades occupying the middle layer, and the actual voice and connectivity transmission occurring in the lowest layer.
Footnotes
The arrival of 3G is a welcome change and is set to revolutionize data-related mobile applications in the country. Existing GPRS services have not found many takers because of their unreliability and the low data speeds offered. Things did change with the arrival of EDGE (Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution) though. However, even EDGE coverage is not comprehensive with only urban centers offering comprehensive EDGE support. The data plans too were uninspiring, which resulted in only those people using the services who actually needed it for business or official purposes. If 3G access is priced nominally, it would mean a greater number of users adopting the technology, thanks to the speed it offers. In its current iteration, 3G even has the capability to compete with mainstream broadband service providers now that would be an interesting battleground! BSNL broadband vs BSNL 3G...! Anyone?
Related Links:
Mumbai To Get 3G In Q1 (FY) 2009
3G Gets Delayed; Limits Players
Chennai Too Will Enjoy 3G Services Says BSNL
3G: Looking Beyond Mobile Phones
iPhone 3G: Dismal Sales In India
Discussion Board
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Vijay Joshi
,Dombivli(E), on Dec 14, 2008 10:22 AM
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Prasanna
,mumbai, on Dec 12, 2008 06:53 PM
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