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Super 3G is a wireless networking standard for cell phones that offers downlink speeds of up to 100 Mbps. It is the next stage in the evolution of 3G and is critical to the success of mobile TV and video. O2 plans a commercial trial in late 2006.
Super 3G is a wireless networking standard for cell phones that can offer wireless downlink speeds of up to 100 megabits per second (Mbps). Super 3G is also often referred to as High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA).
Super 3G is the next stage in the evolution of the existing 3G standard. 3G refers to third generation mobile communications technology and promises higher bandwidth: 384 kilobytes per second (kbps) for a stationary or slow device, 128 kbps in a moving vehicle and 2 Mbps for stationary applications. Works on wireless interfaces such as GSM, CDMA and TDMA.
Currently, 3G technology allows users to download and save videos and music, video conference, take and send photos, play games, and access location-based services. Super 3G is the answer to the need for higher bandwidth across the radio spectrum. Super 3G also offers great possibilities for future services. Many believe it will be critical to the success of mobile television and video, which is currently being tested by mobile phone provider O2. It will also allow mobile operators to offer high-speed Internet access that rivals landline communications.
Super 3G has been taken over by the 3G Partnership Project (3GPP), a consortium of over 200 mobile phone providers and operators. The initial study was initiated by 26 3GPP members, including Alcatel, NTT DoCoMo, Cingular Wireless, Lucent, Nokia, Motorola, Nortel, Siemens, Qualcomm, T-Mobile, Ericsson and Vodafone. All 3GPP members have worked together to further develop the Super 3G concept. A 3GPP spokesman said that specifications for Super 3G could be ready as early as June 2007.
O2 trialled Super 3G in 2005 and plans a commercial trial in the UK, Ireland and Germany in late 2006. Super 3G will initially be available in London hotspot areas and the company will build from there. In other demos, Nortel managed speeds of 1.4 Mbps from a moving device.
In addition to a Super 3G network, users will need to own a Super 3G compatible phone. There are currently very few phones of this type. These include the HTC TyTN smartphone, the Motorola RAZR MAXX, the BenQ EF91 and the O2 XDA Trion PDA.
Some experts, however, question Super 3G. NTT DoCoMo has been testing the 4G standard based on all Internet providers since 1998. This can offer speeds of up to 200Mbps and is said to be a cheaper and higher speed alternative to Super 3G.
