3g Technology

[deamer44]

Hey, for a project i've been asked to discuss the social and individual implications of 3g technology. What are your views on 3g, and has it affected you as an individual?

Do you think it has resulted in people being connected to work all the time? So they have an obligation to constantly read emails.

And do you think there is a large improvement over 2g?
Many thanks,
Deamer44

 

[zerocool84]

You don't need 3G to read emails or even visit sites like facebook or myspace or twitter. They have mobile versions of myspace and facebook so you could surf those on 2G. All that 3G has allowed us to do is surf the regular websites as they are and not mobile versions.

 

[r6ashih]

On the corporate side, 3G is an efficient carrier of voice and data, more so than 2G.
As 2G is being phased out, the 2g spectrum will be recycled for 3G use.

On the individual side, the typical user experience wont differ much between 3G and 2G. like zerocool84 said, you can check emails and visit facebook etc with either and with this usage, you dont need high bandwidth.

In regards to work, unless you're an important person, you are not going to get a company phone + dataplan. This excludes 99% of the people. If you are one of these people, then yes you may feel obligated to read the emails out of office. I have had a coworker turn down a company phone(successfully) for this reason.

 

[DivideBYZero]

3G means my mobile device is a mobile office by day, and a fun communication/nav/entertainment tool at night/time off.

 

[corkyg]

3G has simply made Internet connections while travelling more useful in that I get more done in less time. Sometimes I have to revert to 2G in that there are many areas of the country where 3G has not yet arrived. And, some are now enjoying 4G.

I have long maintained my connections wirelessly while travelling. It just takes less time now - no great social impact for me.

 

[dguy6789]

Being connected at all times is really awesome. It makes planning and meeting up with people much easier. I can find the answer to any question I have about virtually any topic in a couple seconds no matter where I am. I can find a place that serves the kind of food I'm in the mood for even if I'm in an unfamiliar area. If there's an emergency, I can notify the police or my family or whatever is appropriate extremely quickly. It allows me to be notified as well. It means I can check my email while I'm already out versus having to come home and read something and potentially have to go out again.

 

[Lemon law]

We are at or near the end of the 3 G era, as 3g will gradually be replaced by 4G technology that is far faster. Big cities will get it first, so far the Sprint/Clearwire is the leading provider of 4g presently, but AT&T and Verizon should be past the pilot phase by the end of 2010.

Sadly, I can't see either 3G or 4G being a sustainable technology because the wireless spectrum is finite. Already the wireless spectrum is strained, and the at rate all telco's
want to sell and oversell iphones and similar devices, the inescapable reality is that we will have to ration the use of such devices because there simply is not enough spectrum to go around.

That need not stop our above poster, dguys6789, from being to use his wireless device
for good purposes, but it may mean he simply can't keep on and transmitting that many hours of the day. Its that or letting the law of supply and demand rule, so only the wealthy will be able to use wireless to the delight of cell phone companies as they jack up rates to new highs.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

A lot of posts talk about being connected. I don't know. I lived fine with a smartphone on 2G. 3G doesn't mean you're anymore connected. It's more like saying 384kbps DSL vs 6mbit. I guess while the 3G revolution took place, smartphones also took over the market, so I guess they go hand in hand, but in reality, it's just a giant speed boost. It's not like anyone cared about the 3G network till the iPhone 3G emphasized it. I remember trying some NAM Nokia models out and I was impressed with 3G reception, but most people are like "don't you have to pay extra for that?" This was back in the day before the US had any major 3G phones... Most people didn't even know AT&T deployed 3G long ago (maybe not as extensively as Verizon, but you could get it in most major cities)

 

[corkyg]

Yep! 3G does not mean connected. I connect to 3G only when I want to. When travelling, that means I am at my destination or in a transportation waiting room. I keep my connection off unless I specifically need Internet access. Same with my cell phone - I only turnm it on when I want to make a call, and that is actually rare. That's why my 3g connection is through my laptop.

 

[DivideBYZero]

I agree, it's not so much 3G that has made the difference, it's the phones. Phones with always on services have made using them much more useful. That can be done on 2G & 2.5G networks. 3G just allows for a richer experience, not necessarily an good one.

 

[deamer44]

Ok, thanks for your responses guys. I guess its true, its not soley 3g that has made the change smart phones is the piece of technology that has really furthered the use of 3g. And allowed the user to do much more