If you’re searching for a new mobile phone or mobile plan, you’ve probably heard the term ‘3G.’ Some mobile phones have 3G capabilities, while others don’t. It’s time to find out what 3G actually means.

3G stands for Third Generation. Before 3G there was:

First generation – mobile services were operated using analogue radio technologies
Second generation – analogue was replaced by digital networks.

What can 3G do for me?

The 3G network will allow you to access a wider range of features via your mobile phone. Using the 3G network can provide greater coverage and faster services (such as quicker download speeds) via a wider bandwidth. You can also access applications and services that weren’t available on 2G, including:

• Mobile TV
• Streaming video content
• Video conferencing
• Access to location-based subscriptions, for example, finding local cafes or restaurants in the nearby vicinity

Some popular 3G enabled mobile phones are:

iPhone 3GS (you might have guessed that one), Nokia E71, Sony Ericsson w910i, Nokia N95.

Using the 3G network can use up more of your phone’s battery, and could mean a chunkier and more expensive phone. Some mobile phone users consider their handset to be just that: a mobile phone. Not a mini TV, portable MP3 player, and not a mini device to surf the web. If that sounds like you, there are some cheap mobile phones out there of which are not 3G enabled, while being smaller in size and having a longer battery life.

Some popular phones that do not include 3G technology are:

Nokia 6300, Nokia 2700, BlackBerry Pearl 8120.