3G – Are you equipped for it?

“With great power, comes great responsibilities”

Famous line, clichéd to its core, but true nevertheless. In this context we are referring to the great ‘data transfer juggernaut’ aka the “3G” network. Ps: great in a techno-savy-yet-oxymoronic-technologically-outdated-country of ours. The world, (and India) is already looking beyond 3G!

So are you ready for it yet?

Before you grab on to your phone and check if you are ready or not, wait! This post was not meant to be a technical manual! Chances are that most people reading this are potentially already owning a 3G capable device OR can afford a 3G capable device.

So what is all this buzz about?
The buzz is about a new network, yes a new network. A network that would run parallel to the existing networks. The buzz is about having access to the internet faster through a dedicated data connection.

To cut the technical mumbo jumbo it means the following:
– 3G is
*Not Limited to Video Calling: Video Calling is JUST a capability that could be put to use via the faster data transfer speeds through ‘new’ network
.
*Not your existing network: Eagle eyed readers, when I say “new”, I really mean “new” network. So if you are a subscriber with excellent network at home/office and are thinking that when 3G is rolled out you could rule the world with new found connectivity. NO! It isn’t the same thing. 3G would be made available as a seperate network. So chances are that it would not be available all across in the early stages. It need not be consistent with the current availability of the network.

*Not synonym with Gaming. Again a popular misconception like the video calling. 3G allows you to transfer data faster. So in parlance of gaming, you could connect to multi player games faster. And ofcourse, download Games or game related content faster. (So how many of such games do you already have on your phone?)

*Not synonym with streaming content (TV/Radio)
Another BS being fed by many. Its just a method to download data faster. Such apps worked well with wifi too! But yes, I must add.. most cellular service provider would provide more content from hereon as now the accessibility has increased. So don’t be surprised (or come back disgruntled) stating that “look! I can see live cricket/my favourite porn/tv shows/movies thanks to 3G!” (So how many of such apps do you currently have on your phone)

*Not going to improve the sound quality or anything about your existing voice network. Its a seperate network.

So why do I need it?
Simple, the landline based dial up network to access the web was considered defunct with the amalgamation of the www with entertainment. It worked, but it was never enough. Now you have broadband/adsl or what not for downloading something that you never ‘wanted/needed’ earlier. In the same way, the existing mobile phone will unleash its true potential with a strong data connectivity. You will end up do things with it which you never ‘needed/wanted’. Imagine the www on fingertips. Imagine on demand video downloads (don’t push this imagination too ‘hard’), content like live TV, webradio, everything right in your pocket! Its something that could change the face of ‘entertainment’ as we know it.

Like I said earlier, such applications already exists but that a very few use these via wifi. With the increase of the number of people using it, we will see more and more services being made available from this channel.

The dark side of 3G?
– Ever wondered how much time will it take for someone to maliciously infect your phone and copy your entire SMS or your contact book or infect every one on it via this new found powerful connection? Hardly a few seconds!

Imagine someone tapping on your phone, recording your (secret) conversations and sending them to someone for their sadistic pleasure? Your ‘personal’ phone is no longer personal. It could be connected to a botnet (a collection/network of infected machines)
Your phone could end up as a tool to attack a government site, a bank! Download useless content, host useless content, or simply upload year entire image/video gallery on to a infected site! Imagine personalized spam! Imagine automatic calls to hotlines which will drain your balance or bloat your bills!

Scary? You bet! So now is a good time to chuck pirated apps out from your phone and buy legit programs, atleast a legit anti virus!

Whether you like it or not, 3G (and faster speeds) are here to stay, and here for good. You decide whether you want to make good use of it, or let it make good use of you!

Cheers!