What would 3G mean to you?

With the 3G (third-generation) spectrum auction finally underway, it would be a good idea to figure out what this new-fangled technology would achieve and what it means to the person who owns a 3G handset.

Firstly, the technology itself is not "new-fangled" - it's been around for quite some time; in fact, in 2009, some European countries started preparing for 4G (fourth generation) technology where data speeds can reach unheard-of levels (In December 2009, the first such operator Telia Sonera went live in Sweden and Norway). At present, 3G mobile technology can, theoretically, allow speeds of up to 14 Mbps while downloading and up to 5.8 Mbps while uploading.

This would allow applications that need extremely high data speeds to be easily available on your mobile phone. One such mobile phone is the Apple iPhone 3GS, which was launched simultaneously by Airtel and Vodafone, two mobile networks that have more than 100 million customers each. You can now easily view television on your mobile phone (technically you could view even on 2.5G technology, but it may not be a smooth experience if there are too many people jamming the network as could happen during an IPL match), launch video on demand and conduct teleconferences.

There are other social applications. For example, 3G allows for seamless locationbased services which could help users track traffic jams using Internet Protocol (IP) cameras located at key areas. Business owners could set up cameras at their facilities and have that video streaming directly on to their mobile phones.

The government could use 3G to let the hinterland access top urban doctors by creating access channels for telemedicine. The National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS), which has come under attack recently because of massive misuse of funds in some states, could be monitored using 3G by using IP cameras and location-based services.