| 3G, short for "Third Generation Wireless," is the next | | | | workforce, including the typical "road warrior," as well |
| generation high-speed mobile system based on GSM. | | | | as those working from home, a satellite office, or |
| 3G supports broadband, packet-based transmission of | | | | commuting. 3G extends the office LAN to these |
| voice, text, multimedia, and video data at rates from | | | | mobile workers, providing access to email, corporate |
| 384 kbps to 2 Mbps. At the heart of 3G is the aim to | | | | networks, and the Internet. There are many |
| provide mobile users, wherever they may be, with the | | | | personal-use applications as well, ranging from "smart" |
| same high speed services offered by broadband. With | | | | appliances to e-commerce and multimedia applications. |
| 3G, the mobile user can access high speed internet, | | | | And as 3G technology evolves, advanced applications |
| videoconferencing, and basic video/TV services. | | | | beyond those envisioned today are sure to be |
| 3G can support a minimum of 2 Mbps for stationary or | | | | developed. |
| slow-moving users (walking) and 384 kbps for | | | | Here are just a few of the benefits of 3G technology: |
| fast-moving vehicles (in an auto or train). Compare this | | | | - While on the road, a manager can conduct a |
| to rates of 9.6-40 kbps for 2G and 2.5G systems. | | | | teleconference with colleagues to discuss an upcoming |
| 3G was developed to address the ever-growing | | | | presentation. He can download the latest version, |
| consumer demand for mobile network capacity and | | | | make edits online, all while talking. |
| services. From the youth-inspired excitement for SMS | | | | - Users can take advantage of mobile video on |
| to a need for seamless connectivity to the corporate | | | | demand to watch news, sports highlights, and video |
| network while traveling, consumers have embraced | | | | clips anytime on their mobile devices. |
| the benefits of mobility. The ITU (International | | | | - 3G gives mobile staff access to critical applications |
| Telecommunication Union) started the process of | | | | like Customer Relationship Management (CRM) |
| defining the 3G standard back in the mid-1980s. In 1998, | | | | applications. For example, field engineers can view a |
| the 3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project) was | | | | customer's profile from the road, update their files, and |
| established to continue developing the 3G | | | | even close the trouble ticket while on site. Sales people |
| specifications. The 3GPP is a global body that brings | | | | can create and place orders while still at the |
| together several telecommunications standards bodies | | | | customer's location. |
| from Europe, Japan, the United States, Korea, and | | | | - 3G-enabled vehicles are beginning to enter the |
| China. | | | | market. These provide access to traffic-view |
| 3G supports the needs of a growing mobile | | | | cameras, Internet access, gaming, and video-streaming. |