3G

3G is short for "third generation," referring to mobile phone network technology that followed 2G. It enabled mobile phones to maintain a continuous connection to the internet beyond voice calls and text messaging.

The main feature of 3G was data speed significantly higher than 2G. This made possible services such as internet video streaming, video calling, and modern smartphone applications.

Technical standards

3G was defined by the IMT-2000 framework published by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). The dominant standard is UMTS, which uses WCDMA technology. Some countries adopted CDMA2000. Later enhancements such as HSPA and HSPA+ increased speeds and are sometimes called 3.5G.

How it works

A mobile phone connects to a radio base station covering an area called a cell. Data is divided into packets, using code division to allow multiple users to share the same radio frequencies simultaneously. When a user moves, the network transfers the connection to the next cell.

Deployment and decline

3G networks began commercially in the early 2000s and expanded widely over the following years. After the introduction of 4G and 5G, many telecommunications companies began phasing out 3G networks to redirect spectrum to newer technology. In some regions, particularly parts of Africa, 3G remains the primary form of internet access.