The Hindu Business Line : The new <I>ji</I> on the block

FOR a long time, we knew only Nehruji, Indiraji, and Rajivji, till other jis came on to say cheese before TV cameras. But now the talk is about 3G, a technology that all big mobile phone operators want to jump on to. Some quick help, therefore.

Yeh kya ji?

3G stands for Third Generation, signifying the stage of mobile technology, to offer high speed data access and increased voice capacity. In the first generation were analogue cell phones; they used a standard called the Advanced Mobile Phone System (AMPS) launched in 1983. With the next generation came the digital ones, and we started hearing of code division multiple access (CDMA) and Global System for Mobile communications (GSM). That, in short, is the ek-do-theen of what's new.

What will I get in 3G?

International Telecommunication Union or ITU (www.itu.int) lays down what 3G should give, through a convergence of mobile, fixed and Internet Protocol (IP) networks. International Mobile Telecommunications or IMT-2000, the standard, offers seamless global roaming, so you can use the same number everywhere and enjoy "high-speed services, integrating voice and data with innovative offerings such as location-based services."

Tell me about speed!

Transmission rate is expected to be in three gears. "Up to 384 Kbps when a device is stationery or moving at pedestrian speed, 128 Kbps in a car, and 2 Mbps in fixed applications," as www.247access.co.za explains. "Second-generation systems only provide speeds ranging from 9.6 Kbps to 28.8 Kbps." K is for kilo and M is for mega, while bps is bits per second, all to measure bandwidth.

Bandwidth or pant-width?

Bandwidth is often used as a synonym for data transfer rate, explains http://searchnetworking.techtarget.com. "It is the amount of data that can be carried from one point to another in a given time period." All that we talk over cell phones is data that has to travel.

They say 3G can handle about four to five times more voice traffic than the current 2G networks can handle. So, along with voice, your friend can see your image too on his mobile. Be better dressed, therefore.

Spectrum ka kya chakkar hai?

Spectrum is hot news. Dispute rages on the entry fee proposal of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, because spectrum is what mobile operators use to provide their services.

Ratan Tata has reminded everybody that Rs 1,500 crore entry fee for 3G spectrum and allocation is acceptable because spectrum is a scarce national resource that is also shared by broadcasting and the military. However, other industry players are opposed to the entry fee idea.

What'll be the name of the new service?

With the launch of Celcom3G, Malaysia joins the ranks of 33 countries where 77 operators are offering such services, reports http://thestar.com.my. When we join the 3G club, we can tout Thiru G as our choice, I'd suggest, though I suspect there can be pressure from Delhi for Tri-ji as an alternative.

SayCheek@TheHindu.co.in

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