The cellular phone companies may offer more attractive packages at cheaper rates, increasing their consumer base after the launch of the upcoming 3G technology, giving a boost to the information technology in the country. The development of mobile technologies can be divided into several generations such as 1G, 2G, 3G, and 4G etc.
First generation (1G) mobile technology was based on analogue technology and its use was limited to business purposes. Second generation (2G) had the specific features of communicating short texts in addition to the voice communication. 3G stands for 3rd generation technology and its features include mobile video conferencing, video phone, remote medical diagnosis, digital audio/ video delivery, mobile TV, and digital catalog shopping.
Industry sources said that the 3G and 4G mobile technologies differ with one another in some features: 3G technologies are in widespread use while 4G compliant technologies are still on the horizon; and 4G speeds are much faster than 3G and 3G is a mix of circuit and packet switching networks while 4G is only a packet switching network. Globally, current 3G speeds are topped out at 14Mbps downlink and 5.8Mbps uplink. To be able to qualify as a 4G technology, speeds of up to 100Mbps must be reached for a moving user and 1Gbps for a stationary user.
According to latest data, after the auction of 3G licenses in Pakistan, the creation of 3G demand in the country will take some time and will depend on pricing, introduction of new applications, quality of services, and pace of roll-out.
Initial profitability of some cellular firms offering 3G technology may actually deteriorate. In other words, 3G spectrum is technically more efficient, with more frequencies than previous ones (1G and 2G) and will be available to cell companies such that they will be able to provide services to even the existing subscribers at reduced cost.
Sources said that after the introduction of 3G technology in Pakistan all those firms offering different mobile networks would naturally offer the technology at comparatively affordable rates to their consumers. India adopted 3G technology much earlier while in Pakistan the auction of 3G spectrum that was earlier expected to be completed before the end of previous fiscal year, is still facing problems.
The upcoming 3G technology followed by the high speed mobile internet access along with improved voice quality, video conferencing, mobile TV, advanced car navigation, digital audio and video delivery would be affordable to common mobile users as cellular companies are likely to offer low rates to their consumers while competing with one another.