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Networks: 3g and 2.5g |
vineet_d
Joined: Apr 15, 2004
Posts: > 500
From: MumBhai
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Dont know if this has been discussed before, but wanted to know some info on these two different types of networks. If anyone can differentiate and can explain the difference.  thanks.
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whizkidd
Joined: May 14, 2004
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From: India
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Vineet, all i know is that we are using 2.5g currently! :-D But really, i would love to know the Main differences between the two.
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vineet_d
Joined: Apr 15, 2004
Posts: > 500
From: MumBhai
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Yeah want to know the pros and cons of 3g over 2.5g networks.
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OluYom
Joined: Oct 27, 2004
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From: Nigeria
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The differences inlude:
1. 2.5g (GPRS) promises data speeds up to a theoretical 171kbps, while 3g (UMTS) promises much higher data speeds & capacity
2. 3g supports video calling; 2.5g does not
Those are the main differences, I think. They are both packet data platforms, so you can be billed according to data transferred or montly flat rates.
PS: I used to be known as AYA |
jplacson
Joined: Apr 21, 2002
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From: Philippines
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At it's very basic... the only difference between 2.5 and 3G... or even 2 and 3G... is just faster data rates for 3G.
Now, what makes 3G such a big deal... is that the more data you can stream... the more services now become possible.
Kinda like 56K vs. Cable/DSL. you can't really STREAM video through 56K.. you kinda 'can'.. but it's very choppy... not enough headroom for error-correction... etc..etc... now, us techno geeks and early adopters can tolerate service like that since we understand the limitations of the technology... but the gerenal public doesn't. So when a provider claims "Video calls" and charges a lot of money for it... the gerenal public wants FLAWLESS video calls. Hence, providers must wait for 3G (or actually the upcoming 4G) before deploying additional services to the public.
Not because it isn't possible with 2 or 2.5G networks, but simply because it can't do it as well... or it needs patient subscribers.
Us early adopters got by with 56K Yahoo video conference with about a 2fps framerate way back... but now, people want full 30fps, or at the VERY least 15fps video calls on their mobile. You need a LOT of bandwidth to keep that frame rate consistent in the REAL world.
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whizkidd
Joined: May 14, 2004
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From: India
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Thx @jplacson!
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jplacson
Joined: Apr 21, 2002
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From: Philippines
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Well, technically speaking... GPRS is only counted as 2G. EDGE is 2.5G.
GPRS gives us about 53.6K data speeds... hitting about 33.6K realistically.
EDGE should hit about 384K MAX... I'm guessing around 128-256K realistic speeds.
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vineet_d
Joined: Apr 15, 2004
Posts: > 500
From: MumBhai
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Ok great but what about EDGE on a 2.5g networks? It also provides higher data transfer rates.
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OluYom
Joined: Oct 27, 2004
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From: Nigeria
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@vineet: jcplacson just answered that |
vineet_d
Joined: Apr 15, 2004
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From: MumBhai
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Oh ok i was a bit late :-p
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Indiandawg
Joined: Sep 18, 2004
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From: Mumbai
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is Orange going to launch 3G network in India? |
jplacson
Joined: Apr 21, 2002
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From: Philippines
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I will repeat my opinion on 3G... I feel 3G is dead. It died way before it ever came out. Why? Developers were too focused on data speed, and forgot the ONE thing that made GSM attractive to the world... upgrading was transparent to the end users.
People who don't use data services and all... or are on a tight budget, can still use 1st gen GSM handsets... with 1st gen SIMs.
GSM is very flexible and caters to ALL end users.
EDGE is just a piggy-back upgrade... old users who don't want or need data services don't need to upgrade anything... but when they do want faster data... they just need to buy a new handset and inform their provider.
Old handsets, old SIMs... all still work with current 2.5G networks. New handsets, still work with 1G networks... minus the data services.
Current GSM networks are so flexible that it's so convenient for end users.
And as much as I'd LOOOVE to have WiFi speeds on my mobile phone... I feel EDGE speeds are fast enough, and a good balance of performance, price, and battery consumption.
Unless price and battery life can be addressed properly by 3G... 3G will be dead in the water once they launch it... just like Iridium and Globalstar. Great ideas... not enough research... too much corporate pressure to find the 'next GSM'. If they can give us 1Mbps speeds and not affect our battery life, at dirt cheap data rates... then fine... give us a new "standard"... til then... it's all just marketing BS... and some greedy corporate plan to cash in on the GSM boat they all missed (but are too proud to admit it) !!! HAHAHAHAHA! 
_________________
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[ This Message was edited by: jplacson on 2004-12-12 16:48 ]
[ This Message was edited by: jplacson on 2004-12-12 16:56 ] |
vineet_d
Joined: Apr 15, 2004
Posts: > 500
From: MumBhai
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So what u think the v800 is a hit or a miss for se.
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voda_jon
Joined: Nov 28, 2004
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i hate to say this but gprs is 2.5G and edge is classed as 2.75G. none of the networks in the UK will be adding this as they have paid huge amounts for the 3G licenses... Vodafone has spent about 7Billion on its 3G network (thats inluding licenses) In the UK 3G is only just starting to take off. Trust me it will take off once reliable handsets and competitive pricing has launched and network coverage reaches the magical 99.9% outdoor and indoor marker.
4G is coming but not until around 2007-2008 in eastern countries... us in the UK will have to wait until the goverment release the licenses but i dont see it being taken up straight away on a consumer level. More of a business user level.
And in the UK new phones wont work with 1G networks as they were analogue and the 2G upwards are digital.
[ This Message was edited by: voda_jon on 2004-12-12 16:56 ] |
OluYom
Joined: Oct 27, 2004
Posts: > 500
From: Nigeria
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@jcplacson: I agree that 3g is not as attractive as the hype that preceeded it. The point about seamless upgrade is one vital point. There are other issues too, but it can be argued that those issues exist bcos the technology is new.
I dont look forward much to 3g services myself. But who knows? |
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Posted: 2004-12-12 17:00
