3G puts pedal to metal
 
|
|||
 | |||
|
Sign up to receive this and other networking newsletters in your inbox.
Despite extensive hype, second-generation mobile data networks didn't catch on in a big way when they emerged in the mid-90s. Networks were slow, services were expensive, and islands of networks running different airlink protocols limited service coverage. However, these obstacles finally are well on their way to being tackled. Over the next 18 months, users will gain the ability to roam the globe and use a single device (and IP address) to access intranet applications, Web pages and unified mailboxes, for example, if all goes according to plan.
A big step was taken this month when 150 countries, including the European Union, agreed to allocate additional spectrum for third-generation (3G) wireless networks and provide three common global frequency bands for the new high-speed services. 3G networks are being built around an International Telecommunications Union standard called International Mobile Telephony-2000. 3G networks, which will be rolling out across various countries through 2002, will run at 2M bit/sec speeds. They also will provide compatibility between networks running different airlink protocols, such as Code Division Multiple Access, Time Division Multiple Access and GSM. In addition, 3G networks are slated to support quality-of-service, which will enable mobile voice over IP. The 150-country spectrum agreement has been hailed as the "green light" for the worldwide mobile industry to proceed with building out 3G networks and services. As businesses and the economy in general become more global in nature, users are increasingly straying from one part of the world to another. The demand for a unified set of standards for mobile access is on the upswing.RELATED LINKS
Joanie Wexler is an independent networking technology writer/editor in Campbell, Calif., who has spent most of her career analyzing trends and news in the computer networking industry. She welcomes your comments on the articles published in this newsletter, as well as your ideas for future article topics. Reach her at joanie@jwexler.com.
Network World Wireless archive
Past newsletters.
Network World, 03/20/00. JavaOne: Wireless applications abound at show
Network World, 06/09/00. Archive of Network World on Wireless newsletters
