In a nutshell, 3G technology provides wireless internet at broadband speeds for your cell phone. What this means is that in addition to voice calls, email, and texting, 3G compatible phones will be able to surf the web, listen to streaming audio, watch videos on demand, play networked videogames, even do videoconferences from your phone. Speeds can vary from 144 Kbps (three times faster than dial-up) to 2.4 Mbps (approaching cable modem speeds). Available speed depends on many factors, including your phone, your cellular provider, the services you buy from them, and the network coverage in your area.

The older standard for cellular networks, 2G, was designed for voice and small, slow data transmission (text messages, for example). This was inadequate, however, for the bigger data and faster speeds needed for web surfing, gaming, and live audio and video. The new 3G standard was established to address this shortfall. However, providing data at such volumes and speeds requires upgrading the entire network—modifying all the cell towers with new equipment. Because of this, the new 3G network is slowly rolling out across the country, starting in the big cities and gradually becoming available in smaller cities and rural areas. In other words, merely purchasing a 3G-compatible phone will not automatically provide you with access to high-speed internet—you need to verify you live or work within range of your provider's 3G network first.

Am I in the 3G network?

If you are in a coverage area depends on your cellular provider. Currently, Cingular/AT&T has the widest coverage with over 280 US cities and Puerto Rico. Verizon is a close second with almost 260 cities nationwide. Although Verizon has 3G in fewer areas than Cingular, their coverage areas are larger, encompassing larger areas around the major cities. Sprint/Nextel lags behind in third place, with about 220 cite. T-Mobile is only now rolling out its 3G network, and available only in 88 cites. You can check the 3G coverage for your provider with the links below. Remember that coverage areas will only increase over time as cellular companies expand their 3G networks.

What devices can use the 3G network?

Combination phones—devices that combine the functions of several tools like phones, pagers, MP3 players, PDAs, cameras, recorders, gaming systems, and PCs into one machine—can take the fullest advantage of the 3G network's ability to transfer large amounts of data fast between the phone and the internet. Examples of such phones are the Motorola Razr2, RIM Blackberry, or Palm Treo. Not surprisingly, 3G-compatible cellular phones are expensive, high-end, multiuse devices.

Another highly useful device that utilizes the 3G network is a variety of PC cards and USB modems connect a laptop to the cellular provider's data network. When using Wi-Fi hotspots to get online, laptops require being in constant close proximity to an open wireless access point, usually limited in range to a particular building, such as a home, office building, or coffee shop. Using a 3G modem, however, a laptop can connect to the internet anywhere with the 3G coverage area, which usually covers entire cities. Imagine, for example, being able to surf the internet on your laptop while in a moving car.