Seriously, I think 3G will be a stillborn child. Even before deployment and implementation, it has came under fire from all around. The natural progression from the current GSM system (2G) is taking too much time, other technologies have started to replace them as the de facto standard in wireless communication.
First we have the wireless LAN standard, the 802.11x family. The success of 802.11b have created a cult culture among the IP based evangelist. Now we have different flavours within the 802.11 family, The 11b gives you upto 11Mbps, 11a and 11g gives you upto 54Mbps depending on distance.
Both the 11b and 11g operate within the unlicensed 2Ghz band which is currently being congested by multiple applications (eg, bluetooth, medical and scientific instruments, WiFi and microwave ovens). The 11a have more breathing space in the 5Ghz band.
A new standard based on the 802.11 is being formulated by the IEEE, the 802.11n. The 11n is poised to provide more than 100Mbps wirelessly.
Having said that, vendors are pushing more innovative products/gadgets in the market. SMC came out with a powerful Wifi card that'll cook pasta in 7 minutes (just kidding! :)) So powerful that some countries like Singapore have banned it from circulation. in Malaysia, the regulators are still testing the equipment for certification (ie. safe for public use). I hope i could get my my hands on the SMC cards, then, i'll be roaming around town sniffing for radio signals! :)
Cisco on the otherhand plans to ship a WiFi phone, modeled after ther IP phone. Other traditional phone manufacturers are having their R&D guys crack their heads. In a few months time, the Motorolas and Nokias of the world will come out with their own version of Wifi and GSM combo phone that will let you roam seamlessly between GSM networks and Wifi networks.
Broadband wireless which is based on the 802.16 standard is a different story where we have LMDS and MMDS operating within 2Ghz upto 60Ghz. However these are licensed bands where special application have to be submitted and approved by various regulating bodies such as the FCC in the US or MCMC in Malaysia. While this is more of industrial standards, it is making its way into mainstream wireless networking circle. The WiMAX forum tends to close that gap.
Here's Tech Web's view on WiFi vs 3G.
So, who do you think will win the wireless race, WiFi and the 802.1xx gang or 3G?
I'd put my money on WiFi... definitely!
Headbanging to: Somewhere I Belong, Linkin Park
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