Qualcomm and Teleepoch
Enter Into a 3G CDMA Subscriber Unit License Agreement, October
6, 2007
MTN chooses Cambridge Broadband
Networks for multi-service wireless network in Rwanda, October 6,
2007
Brazilian government to
publish 3G bidding rules soon, October 6, 2007
KTF 3G service suffers
from technical problems, October 6, 2007
Argentina’s Personal
lunches 3G service in Rosario, October 6, 2007
Russia has it's first 3G
network, October 6, 2007
AT&T could drop Alcatel-Lucent
as 3G mobile network supplier, October 6, 2007
Enea Extends License Agreement
with ZTE for 3G Handsets, October 2, 2007
LG to unveil premium handsets
in Brazil, October 2, 2007
KTF 3G subscribers doubled
in less than 3 months, October 2, 2007
3G policy in India will
be non-uniform, October 2, 2007
- previous news
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3G phones threaten gorilla existence
September 15, 2002
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Over 3000 gorillas are butchered
each year to provide bushmeat to feed miners. |
There is growing concern from wildlife groups over the use of tantalum
in future 3G mobile phones. Many are lobbying against companies
buying the metal mined from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Tantalum
is refined from coltan and is a vital ingredient for the construction
of mobile phones. The mining of coltan is big business, as a pound
of tantalum can fetch around US$600, and has attracted many miners
to the area. Over 3000 gorillas are butchered each year to provide
bushmeat to feed miners. Rare gorillas are in danger of being extinct
and other wildlife, such as elephants and antelopes, are also under
threat.
The Wildlife Conservation Society stated the elephant population
has been virtually wiped out. The extent of the problem will migrate
to other animals in the region as thousands of animals are killed.
The use of tantalum has played a major role in reducing the size
of mobile phones. This is especially important in 3G phones because
of the expectations of smaller handsets. Tantalum's heat resistant
and excellent electrical conductor properties make it suitable for
manufacturing passive capacitors for storing electrical charges.
The demand for tantalum has risen dramatically driven by the increase
usage in more advanced mobile handsets. The price of tantalum has
also risen because supply is unable to keep up with demand. Tantalum
is also mined in Australia and many fear the problems in Congo will
appear in Australia.
There is currently no suitable substitute for tantalum and with
the introduction of 3G phones with high data transfer rate, the
demand for tantalum is almost certainly going to increase.
By David Yuen, 3GNewsroom.com
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3G Motorola A920
