The advancement of science and technology has made our life easier,
giving us the portunity to communicate with anyone, anywhere, Mobile
phone, a wonderful invention of modern science was first introduced in
Bangladesh in the mid 1990s. At that time only the rich people werer
blessed with the fascinating machine of communication. Nowadays, mobile
phone has become part and parcel of our everyday life and it is quite
affordable to the poor people as well. The technology of mobile phone
has evolved with time, and it is still an ongoing process. So far, the
world has seen 1G, 2G, 2.5G, 3G and in some development countries, the
4G technology implemented in cellular communication. As 4G is yet a
vast coverage, 3G in one of the most popular technologies at present.
Although developed and our neighbouring countries have been
experienceing 3G for a handsome number of years, unfortunately has not
been introduced in our country yet. Things are turning around however:
there have been talks that Teletalk, on of the mobile operators of
Bangladesh, is going to launch 3G by 2012.
Mobile phone, the
first generation of which was introduced in the mid 1980s, has been
constantly evolving since its inception. Today, over 2 billion mobile
phones are in in usage and around 80 percent of the worlds population
is within reach of a mobole phone network.
Though mobile has
traditionally been used for as the voice communications, today it can
serve as the platform for a variety of communication tools, including
data and video.
International Mobile telecommunications-2000 (IMT
2000), beter known as 3G or Third Generation, is a generation of
standards for mobile phones and mobile telecommunications services
fulfilling specifications by the International Telecommunication Union
(ITU). Application service include wide area wireless voice telephone,
mobile internet access, video calls and mobile TV - all in a mobile
environment One gorgeous features of 3G technology is video conference
applocation. 3G not only ensures high speed internet, but also allows
the mobile phones carrier to set up call in less time, as well as
ensureing less call drop.
However, with the capablities for
high-speed wireless data transfer, 3G has enhanced or made possible a
myriad of additional applications, such as mobile video, secure mobile,
location-based services and audio on demand. For example, using 2.5G (a
slightly better version fo second generation wireless) a three minute
song takes six to nine minutes to download. Using 3G, it can be
downloaded in 11 to 90 seconds. The 3G system increse the data transfer
speed between various deviced. Speed upto 2 mbps can be achieved by
using 3G wireless technology devices and it provides better security of
data. That is why people working for big companies prefer 3G technology
over 2G and 2.5G technologies. Itt supports multi player gaming, which
makes it popular among the youngsters as well, as they can play the
games of their interests with their friends from any place at any time.
There
currently almost 100 million 3G wireless subscribers worldwide. The US,
with over 200 million mobile phone subscribers, crossed the 10 per cent
mark for 3G penetration for the first time in 2006, while Japan stayed
in the lead with over 50 percent of its subscribers using 3G phones. As
3G adoption accelerates, 3G carries, handset manufactures,
infrastructure equipment makers and 3G application provides stand to
gain. Wireless Internet Service Providers (WISP), carries without the
wherewithal or financial resources to upgrade their networks and
companies that provides services which are standard under 3G (i.e.
email access) will be in a position to lose. While the 3G market may be
definitely gaining traction, the industry is rapidly approaching a
crossroads where the needs of different market segments can vary
substantially, and the potential rewards and losses for the different
technology vendors and mobile communications operators could be
substantial.
This new technology will not only enrich the
experience of using mobile phone, but also create deep influence in the
market and economy Bangladesh. As it has been mentioned earlier, 3G
mobile accessories will have to be imported from out of the country
because no infrastructure has been introduced yet in our country to
produce those. But we have infrastructure and potential to design new
applications for 3G mobile phones. GPIT (Grameen Phone IT), a shining
example in this regard, has been providing the srvice of designing and
maintaining applicationa to various mobile phone operators in
Bangkadesh. To build and maintain 3G environment in Bangladesh there
will be an employment facility for many IT professionals. So this
technology does have good business prospect in BAngladesh.
As a
government run company, Teletalk got the very first chance to develop
its 3G structure. It will first provide 3G coverage in Dhaka and
gradually cover the whole country. Teletalk, which stared its service
in 2005, did not gain much succedd in telecommunication sector.
However, the launch of 3G may take market to a new and improved
position in the market. Other mobile sevice operators will also be gain
3G license according to their demand. As 90 percent of the mobile phone
users in this country subscribe to the private mobile communication
sevice, 3G will truly be established when the private sector gets the
license. So it is quite safe to say that, with 3G, a new era will begin
in the telecommunication sector of Bangladesh.
By Abdullah Al Mahmud
