How much do you know about 3G in India?

SANDESH V.S
3RD SEM. 'C' SECTION
3G technology is the latest in mobile communications. 3G stands for "third
generation" ,this makes analog cellular technology generation one and digital/PCS
generation two. 3G technology is intended for the true 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 comprises several cellular access technologies. The three most common
ones as of 2005 are:

1) CDMA2000 - based on 2G Code Division Multiple Access (see Cellular Access

Technologies)

2) WCDMA (UMTS) - Wideband Code Division Multiple Access

3) TD-SCDMA - Time-division Synchronous Code-division Multiple Access

If you want augmented bandwidth, multiple mobile applications and clarity of

digital signals, then 3G (Thrid Generation Technology) is your gateway. GSM
technology was able to transfer circuit switched data over the network. The use of
3G technology is also able to transmit packet switch data efficiently at better and
increased bandwidth. 3G mobile technologies proffers more advanced services to
mobile users. It can help many multimedia services to function. The spectral
efficiency of 3G technology is better than 2G technologies. Spectral efficiency is the
measurement of rate of information transfer over any communication sytem. 3G is
also known as IMT-2000.

3G networks have potential transfer speeds of up to 3 Mbps (about 15

seconds to download a 3-minute MP3 song). For comparison, the fastest 2G phones
can achieve up to 144Kbps (about 8 minutes to download a 3-minute song). 3G's
high data rates are ideal for downloading information from the Internet and sending
and receiving large, multimedia files. 3G phones are like mini-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. Of course, none of this would be possible without
those soaring towers that carry cell-phone signals from phone to phone. 3G
technologies make use of TDMA and CDMA. 3G (Thrid Generation Technology)
technologies make use of value added services like mobile television, GPS (global
positioning system) and video conferencing. The basic feature of 3G Technology
(Thrid Generation Technology) is fast data transfer rates. However this feature is
not currently working properly because, ITU 200 is still making decision to fix the
data rates. It is expected that 2mbit/sec for stationary users, while 348kbits when
moving or traveling. ITU sell various frequency rates in order to make use of
broadband technologies. 3G technology is much flexible, because it is able to
support the 5 major radio technologies. These radio technologies operate under
CDMA, TDMA and FDMA.CDMA holds for IMT-DS (direct spread), IMT-MC (multi
carrier). 3G system is compatible to work with the 2G technologies. 3G technologies
holds the vision that they should be expandable on demand. The aim of the 3G is to
allow for more coverage and growth with minimum investment.

There are currently almost 100 million 3G wireless subscribers worldwide. The
US, with over 200 million mobile subscribers, crossed the 10% mark for 3G
penetration for the first time in 2006, while Japan stayed in the lead with over 50%
of its subscribers using 3G phones. As 3G adoption accelerates, 3G carriers, handset
manufacturing, infrastructure equipment makers, semiconductor OEM's, and 3G
application providers stand to gain. Wireless Internet Service Providers (WISP's),
carriers without the wherewithal or financial resources to upgrade their networks,
and companies that provide services which are standard under 3G (i.e., email
access), will be in a position to lose.

WHO STANDS TO GAIN FROM 3G:

Ericsson (ERIC), Alcatel-Lucent (ALU), Nokia (NOK), and Siemens AG (SI) are
network infrastructure manufacturers that combined, dominate more than 70% of
the worldwide mobile backbone equipment market. As 3G networks are deployed
and expanded, so will the demand for their products. Samsung and Motorola (MOT)
are mobile handset manufacturers that will see demand increase as consumers buy
3G-compliant handsets and accessories. Most users will be required to upgrade
their current mobile phones if they want to take advantage of the data services 3G
can offer. 3G phones, as a result of their enhanced capabilities, are more expensive
than their predecessors. Higher phone costs give OEM's an additional revenue
opportunity.

WHO STANDS TO LOSE FROM 3G:

EarthLink (ELNK) is a wireless Internet service provider (WISP) that operates

hotspots. Such companies could see demand for their services decrease if 3G
enabled EV-DO, a substitute technology for Internet access, continues to see
accelerated adoption. Research in Motion (RIMM) is a 2G-based service provider
that may not be able to successfully make the transition to 3G and keep their
business models intact. RIMM, the maker of the popular Blackberry email service
could become less valuable if all 3G devices can speedily access email via the
Internet (which was previously not the case).

Note: Blackberry has incorporated 3g technology as fast or even faster than rival
handset makers. They are actually the leader in providing 3G and pre 4G data
services for the business community.
 While the 3G market may be definitely gaining traction, the industry is rapidly
approaching a crossroads, where the needs of different market segments can vary
substantially, and the potential rewards (and losses) for the different technology
vendors and mobile communications operators could be substantial.

3G AUCTION IN INDIA:

The time period of the 3 G auction process in India was finally over on 19 May
2010, with Reliance, Bharti and Aircel emerging as the big winners in the 3G race.
Delhi was the most wanted circle and so was highly priced. The successful bidders
for Delhi circle are Vodafone, Bharti and Reliance. It's the bad luck of TATA who
doesn't even have a 2G license for Delhi. For Karnataka, the 3G service providers
will be Tata,Aircel,Bharti. Rs 1,579.91 crores was the price for the successful bidders
in Karnataka. The winning bidders for 3G services in Andhra Pradesh had to cough
up 1,373.14 crores. The 3G networks will be supported by Bharti,Idea,Aircel. The
mobile networks for 3G services for Tamil Nadu are Bharti,Vodafone,Aircel. In
kerala, the bidding price was Rs 312.48 crores. The 3G service will be provided
by:Idea,Tata,Aircel.