3G phone network standards vary by carrier

T-Mobile begins rollout
Earlier this year, T-Mobile introduced its UMTS 3G network, with undisclosed data speeds, in New York, Las Vegas, San Antonio and Austin, and plans to add 20 more cities this year.

“T-Mobile's 3G network is still in its infant stages,” said Perez. The carrier may be the first in the United States to use devices with Android, Google’s mobile platform that has been in development for a few years.

“Some fancy Android devices may help spur the rollout, but it'll take time and money to have a large 3G footprint,” he said.

Having 3G networks in place, however, does not guarantee that wireless customers will want to use them. Forty million people, or 15.6 percent of the 245 million mobile subscribers in the United States, paid for mobile Internet services and used them at least once in the past month, according to a July report by Nielsen Mobile. That places the United States at No. 1 in the world for mobile Internet use.

However, an even greater number, 57 percent, or 144 million mobile customers, use data, including text messaging, and the mobile Web, according to the Nielsen Mobile report.

Palm.com The Palm Treo Pro is a new 3G phone that also has GPS and Wi-Fi.

So what's standing in the way of broader acceptance of the kinds of data-intensive applications such as Web browsing and mobile TV that 3G networks are designed to facilitate?

“3G extras are expensive, adding as much as $60 per month over the cost of standard service,” said industry analyst Jack Plunkett of Plunkett Research.

The latest wave of feature-heavy phones and smartphones may also scare of some users.

“New, high-tech phones have a steep learning curve since all the bells and whistles require buttons, keys and extensive know-how,” he said.

Or, put another way: “If it ain’t easy, it ain't going to get used,” said analyst Pete Daily of Stratecast, which specializes in telecommunications market analysis.

“Apple raised the bar for ease of use and set-up for a smartphone with the iPhone,” meaning it now “becomes the benchmark for smartphones, to have consumer success,” he said.

Sprint preparing 4G
While 3G mobile networks show great promise for delivering a rich Internet and media experience, Sprint is already preparing the launch of its 4G technology, WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access), which promises peak data speeds ranging from 10 to 70 megabits per second.

Sprint has at least a two-year head start with 4G technology. AT&T, Verizon Wireless and T-Mobile have all pledged support for LTE, which stands for Long Term Evolution, a road map for the 4G phase of the UMTS standard. The first commercial deployment of LTE networks in the U.S. is not expected until 2011.

WiMAX is ready to go now. Sprint's XOHM service, its brand of WiMAX, is explained by Sprint Nextel XOHM representative John Polivka: “Imagine a Wi-Fi access point the size of a city instead of a coffee shop or bookstore. WiMAX is a city-sized ‘hot spot’ with better capacity … and better data security.”

Sprint is planning to join its WiMAX business and network infrastructure with wireless Internet service provider Clearwire to launch WiMAX services in Baltimore, Washington D.C. and Chicago by the end of the year.

While mobile Internet access is part of the WiMAX plan, the full scope of the technology includes support for myriad devices including ultra-mobile PCs, USB dongles and network cards for PCs, gaming devices, navigation equipment and digital cameras and camcorders.

The combined Sprint Nextel and Clearwire company, operating as Clearwire, recently announced partnerships with Intel, Google, Comcast and Time Warner Cable for a variety of products and services.

Clearwire’s Chief Strategy Officer, Scott Richardson, is optimistic.

“We believe that Clearwire is the only operator that is truly ready to launch a 4G network today,” he said. “There’s no shortcut in testing and optimizing a new technology. We have been doing this for the past two years and we believe that now we are ready for prime time, and ready to execute.”

Perez, of InformationWeek.com, sees the future success of the mobile Internet as a joint effort.

“The 4G networks, WiMAX and LTE, will offer people Internet connection speeds on the go that will have a major impact on everyday life,” he said. “Things like mobile television, mobile commerce and mobile banking should become second nature. But no matter how fast the connection is, it'll still be on the handset manufacturers to deliver a great user experience.”

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