Mobile phones - 2G or 3G?

By: Margaret Greene

With the dramatic uptake of mobile phone usage in Ireland we find ourselves virtually swamped in terminology, GSM, 2G, WAP, GPRS, 3G. What are they and what do they do?

Basically GSM (Global System for Mobile) is the second generation (2G) of mobile phone networks, designed to provide good quality mobile voice services and to offer good security. Most GSM networks also offer voice and text messaging (SMS). This has now become a major form of communication in some markets, especially amongst younger users, and has encouraged many network operators to develop text-based information services giving, for example, traffic information and weather reports. A benefit of GSM for the international traveller is that the same system is used throughout Europe and in many other countries around the world, although using your phone abroad can be expensive. A complication is that not all GSM networks use the same radio frequencies and you really need a 'dual-band' phone if you travel extensively. Outside Europe, you will probably need a 'tri-band' phone to use some networks.

The industry has also developed a Wireless Applications Protocol (WAP) to deliver more sophisticated information services to the display screens of GSM phones. The idea was that users could surf cut-down versions of Internet Web pages using their mobile phones. WAP based services were launched in 2000 and though they gained some popularity, they are no real substitute for true Internet services.

Most of those snappy looking phones that you see these days either in the advertisements or on the street with built-in cameras are using 2.5G technology which is also known as GPRS. 2.5G is a vast improvement on 2G with data rates of up to 56Kbs (the same as an ordinary modem connection). This allows multimedia applications e.g. picture messaging (MMS) as opposed to the traditional text messaging(SMS) offered by 2G.

A GPRS-enabled phone, offers users an "always-on", high-capacity, high-speed connection to Internet-based information and services. Charging is based on the amount of data users send/receive. So whenever you are sent an email you are notified instantly and you are only charged for reading this one email.

And 3G? Unlike 2G technology, the main focus of which is on voice communication, third generation or 3G technology allows people to talk to a friend, watch a video clip, or surf the Internet - simultaneously - and all from one phone. The 3G service, which is initially being opened to a number of key business partners, provides superior data speeds of up to 144Kbps, which will enable faster downloads and enhanced voice capacity It is anticipated that within 18 to 24 months 3G services will be widely available.