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Telecommunications companies nowadays, boast about their 3G services and its coverage. But what does a 3G network mean? What is the 3G wireless internet network that we can get through our phones all about? Can we really get mobile internet access comparable to the wired broadband internet? In this article, you would find out the meaning and endeavors of 3G, together with details necessary to appreciate and take advantage of 3G networks.

Third-generation or 3G, also known as IMT 2000, is a family of radio interfaces which evolved from previous generations to facilitate wider range of services and advanced network capacity. According to the definition of ITU (International Telecommunications Union), 3G includes the following technologies:

It enables network operators to offer subscribers a wider range of advanced services while achieving greater network capacity through increased bandwidth, transfer rates and spectral efficiency. 3G networks are intended to facilitate smart phone advanced capabilities such as the following.

To access the 3G network, you need to have 3 things:

First, you need to have a 3G device which may be a 3G phone or any device with a 3G embedded module. Devices other than 3G mobile phones, such as video cameras, gaming devices and even vending machines are able to accessible to the network as long as it has a 3G embedded module. Furthermore, portable integrated 3G USB modules that would enable laptops to access the network are also available to the market.

Secondly, you need a subscription to a 3G network service provider to get 3G connectivity. These services are often called data plan or network plan. SIM cards or data cards helps the service provider identify its subscribers at this point.

Lastly, to access the 3G phone network you need to be in 3G cities or area where it is available. Through the 3G device and subscription plan, you can access the 3G network whenever within the 3G network. But even if you are not in one, you could still you the previous generation features provided by your carrier because 3G have backwards compatibility. The list of carrier coverage is included on the last part of this article.

When we speak of 3G devices, one single device comes to our mind: 3G phones. Simply explained, a 3G phone is any phone which is compatible with the 3G network; it could access the 3G network if given a data plan.

The difference between previous generation phones may not be obvious to the consumers, although there are few similarities among 3G phones which are obviously aimed to maximize the 3G features. They commonly have two cameras, one allowing the users to have video calls and the other for regular camera functions. It also requires a SIM card which enables the service providers to identify the subscribers. Other than that, is usually caters applications that enables video/music download and internet access.

A SIM or subscriber Identity Module card is a removable memory chip that stores service-subscriber key that is used to identify the subscriber inside a network. It also stores contact numbers, text messages and other data allowing the SIM card user to switch to a new phone easily, by simply inserting the SIM card from the old to the new cell phone.