Fall 08 - T06 - G1

= Group 1 Project =

What is 3G?
3G technology is the latest in mobile communications. 3G stands for "third generation". 3G technology is intended for the 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 is made up of many cellular technologies. the most common ones are CDMA2000, WCDMA (UMTS), TD-SCDMA.


 * CDMA2000 - based on 2G Code Division Multiple Access
 * 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. In comparison, the fastest 2G phones can achieve up to 144Kbps. 3G's high data rates are ideal for downloading information from the Internet and sending and receiving large, multimedia files. 3G phones are like 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.

The Issue
What is the significance of the new emerging, 3G or 3rd generation, data networks?

Since the dawn of the digital age, technology has been rapidly advancing, and also since the creation of the internet there has been information sharing between people all over the world at incredible speeds. However, up until now internet usage has been dependent on having connectivity to the "network". This usually required a hardline phone or cable connection that was in a building. Now with the emergence of high speed mobile networks internet access is becoming available everywhere, "on the run". Below we have attempted to explore the full scope of the 3G network, its capabilities, disadvantages, and its future to examine its effects on how we use technology.

History Timeline
History:

The first pre-commercial 3G network was launched by NTT DoCoMo in Japan branded FOMA, in May 2001 on a pre-release of W-CDMA-GA3Y technology. The first commercial launch of 3G was also by NTT DoCoMo in Japan on October 1, 2001. The second network to go commercially live was by SK Telecom in South Korea on the 1xEV-DO technology in January 2002. By May 2002 the second South Korean 3G network was by KTF on EV-DO and thus the Koreans were the first to see competition among 3G operators.

The first European pre-commercial network was at the Isle of Man by Manx Telecom, the operator owned by British Telecom, and the first commercial network in Europe was opened for business by Telenor in December 2001 with no commercial handsets and thus no paying customers. These were both on the W-CDMA technology. The first commercial United States 3G network was by Monet Mobile Networks, on CDMA2000 1x EV-DO technology, but this network provider later shut down operations. The second 3G network operator in the USA was Verizon Wireless in October 2003 also on CDMA2000 1x EV-DO, and this network has grown strongly since then.

The first pre-commercial demonstration network in the southern hemisphere was built in Adelaide, South Australia by m.Net Corporation in February 2002 using UMTS on 2100 MHz. This was a demonstration network for the 2002 IT World Congress. The first commercial 3G network was launched by Hutchison Telecommunications branded as Three in April 2003. In December 2007, 190 3G networks were operating in 40 countries and 154 HSDPA networks were operating in 71 countries, according to the GMSA. In Asia, Europe, Canada and the USA, telecommunication companies use W-CDMA technology with the support of around 100 terminal designs to operate 3G mobile networks.

In Europe, mass market commercial 3G services were introduced starting in March 2003 by 3 (Part of Hutchison Whampoa) in the UK and Italy. The European Union Council suggested that the 3G operators should cover 80% of the European national populations by the end of 2005. Roll-out of 3G networks was delayed in some countries by the enormous costs of additional spectrum licensing fees. In many countries, 3G networks do not use the same radio frequencies as 2G, so mobile operators must build entirely new networks and license entirely new frequencies; an exception is the United States where carriers operate 3G service in the same frequencies as other services. The license fees in some European countries were particularly high, bolstered by government auctions of a limited number of licenses and sealed bid auctions, and initial excitement over 3G's potential. Other delays were due to the expenses of upgrading equipment for the new systems.

By June 2007 the 200 millionth 3G subscriber had been connected. Out of 3 billion mobile phone subscriptions worldwide this is only 6.7%. In the countries where 3G was launched first - Japan and South Korea - over half of all subscribers use 3G. In Europe the leading country is Italy with a third of its subscribers migrated to 3G. Other leading countries by 3G migration include UK, Austria, Australia and Singapore at the 20% migration level. A confusing statistic is counting CDMA 2000 1x RTT customers as if they were 3G customers. If using this oft-disputed definition, then the total 3G subscriber base would be 475 million at June 2007 and 15.8% of all subscribers worldwide. Still several major countries such as Turkey, China, Indonesia, etc have not awarded 3G licenses and customers await 3G services. China has been delaying its decisions on 3G for many years, partly hoping to have the Chinese 3G standard, TD-SCDMA, to mature for commercial production.

China announced in May 2008, that the telecoms sector was re-organized and three 3G networks would be allocated so that the largest mobile operator, China Mobile, would retain its GSM customer base and launch 3G onto the Chinese standard, TD-SCDMA. China Unicom would retain its GSM customer base but relinquish its CDMA2000 customer base, and launch 3G on the globally leading WCDMA (UMTS) standard. The CDMA2000 customers of China Unicom would go to China Telecom, which would then launch 3G on the CDMA 1x EV-DO standard. This means that China will have all three main cellular technology 3G standards in commercial use. The first African use of 3G technology was a 3G videocall made in Johannesburg on the Vodacom network in November 2004. The first commercial launch of 3G in Africa was by EMTEL in Mauritius on the W-CDMA standard. In north African Morocco in late March 2006, a 3G service was provided by the new company Wana.

Rogers Wireless began implementing 3G HSDPA services in eastern Canada early 2007 in the form of Rogers Vision. Fido Solutions and Rogers Wireless now offer 3G service in most urban centres.

Timeline:

The 2G networks were built mainly for voice data and slow transmissions. Due to rapid changes in user expectations, they do not meet today’s wireless needs. The first major step in the evolution occurred with the introduction of General Packer Radio Service (GPRS). So the cellular combined with GPRS become the 2.5G.
 * 2G – 2.5G (GPRS)

GPRS could provide data rates from 56kbit/s up to 114kbit/s. It can be used for services such as Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) access, Short Message Service (SMS), Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), and for Internet communication services such as email and World Wide Web access.

GPRS is a best-effort packet switched service, as opposed to circuit switching, where a certain Quality of Service (QoS) is guaranteed during the connection for non-mobile users. It provides moderate speed data transfer, by using unused Time division multiple access (TDMA) channels. Originally there was some thought to extend GPRS to cover other standards, but instead those networks are being converted to use the Global System of Mobile (GSM) standard, so that GSM is the only kind of network where GPRS is in use. It was originally standardized by European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI), but now is done by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP).

GPRS networks evolved to EDGE networks with the introduction of 8 Phase Shift Keying (PSK) encoding. Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE), Enhanced GPRS (EGPRS), or IMT Single Carrier (IMT-SC) is a backward-compatible digital mobile phone technology that allows improved data transmission rates, as an extension on top of standard GSM. EDGE can be considered a 3G radio technology and is part of International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU) 3G definition, but is most frequently referred to as 2.75G. EDGE was developed on GSM networks beginning in 2003 – initially by Cingular (now AT&T) in the USA.
 * 2.5 G – 2.75G

EDGE is standardized by 3GPP as part of the GSM family, and it is an upgrade that provides a potential three-fold increase in capacity of GSM/GPRS networks. The specification achieves higher data-rates by switching to more sophisticated methods of coding (8PSK), within existing GSM timeslots.

EDGE can be used for any packet switched application, such as an Internet, video or other multimedia.

From EDGE networks, the introduction of Universal Mobile Telecommunication Systems (UMTS) networks and technology is called pure 3G. The UTMS is also currently being developed into a 4G technology. 3G networks enable network operators to offer users a wider range of more advanced services while achieving greater network capacity through improved spectral efficiency. Services include wide-area wireless voice telephony, video calls, and broadband wireless data, all in a mobile environment. Additional features also include HSPA data transmission capabilities able to deliver speeds up to 14.4 Mbit/s on the downlink and 5.8 Mbit/s on the uplink.
 * 2.75G – 3G

Applications of 3G
What can you do with 3G?:

With 3G, we can experience features and applications such as:


 * person to person video


 * live streaming


 * downloadable video of entertainment, news, current affairs and sport content


 * video messaging


 * global positioning systems

Communication with 3G is a very important application. While 2G mobile phones allow us to talk and text each other, 3G takes mobile communication to a different level. A few ways people can communicate through 3G is as follows:

We can use our 3G devices to make a video call to our friends and family and see them as we talk – and let them see us as well
 * Video calls

Internet access with 3G does not require a computer or wires. It lets you to keep in touch and store your blogs, all from your tiny handset
 * Mobile blogging, chatting, dating

While possible on 2/2.5G networks, it is much faster with 3G networks
 * Email

Entertainment is another thing that people can experience with 3G. Whether you are relaxing at home or out on the move, it is very simple to carry your personal music, a newspaper, your computer and your DVD player, all in one 3G device. There are a few ways you can use the 3G network for entertainment:

Using 3G "electronic wallets", we will soon be able to conduct financial transactions. By keying in our own secure payment PIN number, we are able to place a bet or a bid, shop online, buy groceries, or do whatever your heart desires.
 * Shopping


 * News

News, entertainment and any other types of information made to meet your personal interests is available with 3G


 * Music downloads

You can access the music and download them, stream live radio, or store your music


 * Browse the internet

you can bring the World Wide Web directly to your phone. News and entertainment sites, chat rooms, shopping and many other things are easily accessible


 * Mobile TV

With increased bandwidth, 3G networks are now delivering live streamed TV direct to your mobile


 * Video downloads

Access video clips of news and sporting events to your device

Pro's
The 3G network allows you the convenience of looking at web pages when you are away from a computer. This could come in handy if you needed to find an address or some other information on the go. Also having a portable device with internet connection allows you to use it at home as well so it eliminates the need for a regular computer in some situations. Whether or not anyone would move away from a regular computer for web surfing activities is still debatable. The 3G network has email capabilities that allows for the user to have quick access to their email. This would come in very handy in today’s fast paced world in which email needs frequently and at any given time. You would also be able to take care of some business to and from work instead of having to take time out of your schedule and the beginning and end of the day.

3G opens the door to anything you can imagine and your heart can desire. There are many positives to the 3G network. In accompaniment to all of the features listed underneath “applications”, 3G also has great indoor coverage. In areas where high quality coverage is indicated, it’s usually possible to make and receive calls within building, although it is dependent on the construction of the building. International coverage is also offered with 3G. You can use your 3G mobile abroad. Availability depends on factors such as the infrastructure of the country, your provider, and your tariff.

Con's
Although 3G has a lot to offer the growing technological world, there still are problems when using such devices. This includes the following:


 * Not many 3G network areas.[[Image:noservice.jpg|thumb|frame|right]]


 * 3G requires a much wider radio spectrum than any other existing wireless service. As soon as 3G completely moves in, it will take a large sum of money and time for systems to be upgraded to suit the requirements of 3G.


 * For people using 3G phones, they find themselves coping with the problem of constantly losing battery, which eventually will shorten its battery life.


 * They also experience the echo effect due to the limited connection between the networks.


 * The built-in camera also isn't that good. No zoom function or flash. They only run in 2 Megapixel and are incapable of efficient video recording.


 * No pop-ups that prompt the discarding of videos.


 * Only USB circuitry is supported, not FireWire.


 * No Bluetooth stereo dial or dial with voice command.


 * No MMS phone-to-phone photos sending.


 * No expandable memory slot


 * More susceptible to viruses, hackers.


 * By inputting certain identification such as name, address, card number or bank accounts, people who use 3G devices(3G electronic wallets) are more prone to identity, financial theft.


 * The wider variety of activities that were opened to the public through 3G devices will also enforce "internet addiction" (gaming, online chatting, online shopping, etc.) and could lead to people having large amounts of debt (online shopping).

Future of 3G...4G
The future of 3G!

The 3G network, which has currently been increasing in use, is already a remarkable technology which is allowing users to do things previously unthinkable with wireless devices. Currently 3G is mostly used in mobile phone technology and remote internet connection for laptops on cell networks. I foresee that in the future the usage of the technology will expand into many other areas. There is already in fact a buzz about the creation of an even faster 4G network. Benefits of this new data network would include:


 * The foreseen 4G network will be capable of much higher data transfer speeds, and high bandwidth activities such as video conferencing anywhere, anytime will be made possible along with other activities that involve streaming or downloading of information


 * Some rumors claim that this future network will be able to produce data speeds of at least and even in excess of 100Mbit/s


 * These new 4G networks are expected to be an entirely different approach that will integrate already existing wireless technologies like: wireless broadband, 802.16e, CDMA, wireless LAN, Bluetooth, etc...


 * 4G networks will also improve in efficiency compared to 3G which will allow for lower costs/Bit which will benefit both users and service providers

Now because the 4G network will have an "internet everywhere" approach, security will have need to be a very high priority. The accessibility of the internet that will be brought forth by this network will give malicious internet hackers more opportunity to prey on potential targets.

Conclusion
We believe, in conclusion, that 3G networks are a good thing, but as we head into the future realm of wireless communications caution must also be taken. 3G/4G offer many benefits to wide ranges of different users; however, along with those benefits there are also dangers. The coming of the internet is a good similar example of this, it provided so much benefit, but it wasn’t perfect, and no technology will ever be such. It is up to the user of the technology to put it to good use!

History Timeline
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3G

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UMTS

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2G

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2.5G

Applications
http://www.3gnewsroom.com/html/3g_applications/index.shtml

http://www.umtsworld.com/applications/applications.htm

Pros
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iphone_3g

Cons
http://misnt.indstate.edu/harper/Students/3G/3G.htm

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/2062385.cms

http://pulse2.com/2008/07/09/pros-cons-of-iphone-3g/

Future of 3G...4G
http://www2.nortel.com/go/solution_content.jsp?segId=0&catId=0&parId=0&prod_id=61702

http://www.networkworld.com/news/2007/052107-special-focus-4g.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4g

http://monet.postech.ac.kr/new2008/research.html#4G

http://www.ccpu.com/papers/3Gto4Gmigration/

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/solutions/collateral/ns341/ns523/ns177/net_implementation_white_paper0900aecd805c247c_ns679_Networking_Solutions_White_Paper.html