ISP Review introduces the new 3G (UTMS) broadband wireless services

The Dark Side Of Fast Communications

There's been a noted opposition to 3G technologies by some groups who claim EDGE will be all anybody should ever need. This is an upgrade to existing GPRS technologies (2.5G) that'll allow the 115Kbps transfer limit to be pushed all the way up to 384Kbps. It does this through the use of a more efficient modulation technique.

Of course in reality that'd simply mean consumers would end up with roughly 115Kbps, the max for GPRS and average for EDGE. Not only would this save billions on purchasing 3G licenses, but it'd also save yet more by sticking with an existing standard and not requiring new networks. Another plus is the backwards compatibility as both GPRS and EDGE are ultimately based on existing 2G GSM networks.

The reality of the situation is that the world's biggest operators have already invested countless billions in 3G and are unwilling to do a U-Turn on their investment, mainly because it's a one-way trip. That doesn't mean to say they won't add EDGE support and later launch 3G, but it's more likely they'll work to introduce 3G and bypass EDGE.

Conclusion & Effect

One thing you have to remember is that while 3G broadband may be fast, it'll be no replacement for your fixed Cable Modem or ADSL etc. connections. By the time 3G reaches inception, common fixed broadband and unmetered dialup solutions will be cheap and easily accessible. On the other hand 3G will have just been introduced with the usual high prices, a 'Pay-Per-Bandwidth/Use' charge will probably be incurred as well.

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