3G Networks

At the writing of this article most cellular communications in the United States take place on what are known as second as second generation or 2G devices and networks. Many countries in Europe and Japan are currently making the shift to what is known as third generation or 3G devices.

3G communications will unite GSM, CDMA, and TDMA into one network. (See Digital Communications 101 for more information ). Switching to 3G communications will enable communication to take place at much higher speeds up to 2 Mbps. This speed is roughly equivalent to wi-fi networks found in many consumers' homes today. This faster rate of transmission will open up new channels of information to consumers, such as music, data and video. Full details of the features can be found on the FCC 3G webpage.

Switching to this type of network will require a major upgrade to the existing networks of many wireless carriers. However the incentive of opening up an additional revenue stream may provide the incentive many carriers need. Currently in Japan consumers have downloaded more music their cell phones from Chaku-Uta, the Japanese equivalent of iTunes, than American Consumers have from iTunes to their computers.

Current industry experts expect 3G to become a commercial opportunity in the United States somewhere between 2006 and 2007.