What Does 3g Really Mean?

[Michael319]

Does it mean ill get better service, like more bars? i get full bars now. Or is it just for faster internet browsing when no wifi or hotspots or available?

sorry for so many threads.

[hexonxonx]

Faster browsing and you will be able to surf and answer a call when one comes in. Right now, if you are using anything that uses data when a call comes in will send the caller to voicemail.

[Michael319]

im sure they can fix the browser thing with a firmware update. that doesn't sound like something that needs 3g. they can cut out the music from playing when a call comes why not browsing.

[mjmoonwalker]

I believe it gives you access to a 3G network that you can use to send and receive calls outside the normal celluar reception area. Not to mention faster speeds and it's the way of the future.

[Michael319]

ok, so 3g means i would get more bars and better service. i already get good bars and service. Idc about the internet going faster on the data package. Lol seems like no one really knows exactley. i see some people comment on how this whole 3g thing isn't that big a deal unless u live in certain areas where maybe u have bad signal, but mine is fine!

[mjmoonwalker]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3G

If you don't need 3G, good for you. Have fun with 2.5G.

[PG4G]

Not more bars.

3G is a newer type of data transmission. Its just faster internet.

People are making a big deal of it because EDGE, the current network, is remarkably slow, and because if they update to 3G you may get other functions added in the hardware update.

3G must be done in the hardware. It is not a software issue. No software update can fix it.

Sending and receiving calls? Whoever said that is incorrect. in fact, in american the 2.5G network is way bigger than 3G, but apple will make the 3G iPhone backwards compatible to 2.5G EDGE network.

[sabresfan007]

Also note that everywhere EDGE is available, 3G may not be. Obviously, AT&T is putting up new towers all the time, so I would check their 3G coverage map on the website. A 3G phone won't get "better" service, but you will experience faster data transfer when you are within a 3G signal.

I do believe that 3G does not use shared bandwidth. I may be using the wrong terminology but I know that the more people that are using EDGE, the slower it will go. When using 3G, you will get the same network speed all the time.

[Michael319]

o ok, as long as its just faster internet, then idc. Its not like my texts will go faster or ill have more bars? then im fine. I just didn't want to find out that 3g had better signal/service.

[sabresfan007]

But remember that having a 3G capable phone, especially the iPhone, opens the door to a whole new slew of applications. Watching TV, streaming capabilities, etc.

Yes you will be able to browse faster, but the new things that will come about with a 3G capable iPhone is what a lot of us are excited about.

[deftdrummer1]

exactly. Sabresfan is dead on. Not to mention, michael 319 that texts and picture messaging WILL go faster since they are utilizing the 3g network. Also, applications like instant messaging will work the way they do on the Internet ie: no lag time and less disconnects.

[Michael319]

yea, but i thought apple just gave the ok for sdk applications. Wouldn't the iphones of now be able to use those new applications with firmware updates. I heard that 3g is the only thing my phone can't get, but i can still get some of the new applications.

most phones have a built in aim/msn program, so i think they could add that to the apple phone? my brothers does and he has edge network on his sony phone.

how much faster coudl a text message go, mine send just as fast as when i had verizon and i texted there. i mean what 1/2 a second faster. isn't enough to just get the new iphone for that.

Also is the new iphone going to look diff with 3g? or first a 3g one will come out then later on they will change how it looks?

[deftdrummer1]

Ehh, I give up.

[snowman96019]

EDGE = Dial Up
3G = Broadband

It's just a faster data transfer network. EDGE maxes out at 200kbps, while the 3G protocol can achieve downloads of up to 3.6mbps (according to AT&T).

[Michael319]

dont give up. Ok i think i got it. Faster internet and downloads, but i dont use the phone for that much internet and to me the internet how it is now isn't that slow. My brother still had edge on his sony, so idk if all at&t phones have 3g or if most do. As long as my bars and service are the same as with 3g, idc if it goes faster on websites. i read that some places dont even have 3g.

I just hope that now apple adds an aim/msn/yahoo application, because its easy enough to add and thats all im hoping for.

btw the iphone doesn't have pic messaging so how could that go faster lol