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Report shows 3G confusion
September 30, 2002
The results from a 3G survey conducted by Visiongain, found that
telecom experts are unsure on the situation of 3G. They do not know
when 3G will arrive, how fast the transfer rate will be, and how
consumers will response.
Take for example the network speed. The report found one third
of the operators and manufacturers that took part in the survey,
expects speed of under 150kbps to be the norm. But one third also
expects the transfer rate to be four times faster.
There are also others concerns. Many are worried about handset
availability, and over half of the participants think the lack of
3G handsets will cause delays in 3G roll out. Few participants think
the high prices paid for the 3G licenses in some countries were
appropriate.
The senior analyst on the report, Ben Thacker, expressed, "In accordance
with most wireless technologies, 3G operators have been high on
glamour and low on facts. The industry has too few concrete numbers
to work with, and until the figures are forthcoming, the experts
are resorting to caution. Wireless players have been burned before
over WAP, and it looks like they will wait to see how 3G plays out
before committing themselves."
Later, Thacker went on to say, "Packet-switched networks are popular,
as i-mode in Japan has demonstrated, and could give WAP a new lease
of life. The improvements 3G offer over GPRS are considerably less
impressive, and far more expensive for telcos to boot." Experts
believe GPRS will delay the roll out of 3G.
With many expecting to see 3G by the end of 2003, the report shows
the confusion in the industry and will leave many thinking whether
we will see 3G by 2003. Users must want to access contents and applications
which justify the use of higher data access speed. At the moment
many do not believe these types of content will be available when
3G rolls out.
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3G Motorola A920
