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Information on 3G in the UK
This page contains information about 3G, the high-speed mobile data service available in the UK
What is 3G?
3G, the next generation mobile network, was launched in the UK in March
2003 by the network operator 3. The other UK network operators later launched their their 3G services including
Vodafone, o2 and Orange.
3G stands for the "third generation" of mobile phone handsets... (1G was the
old analogue system, 2G was the digital handsets that we're used to today,
with 2.5G representing handsets with data capabilities over GPRS).
3G is all about data, and letting mobile phones and mobile computers surf the net using Broadband speeds over a mobile phone network.
The features you can
get from 3G are as follows:
Super-fast surfing and downloads: 3G offers speeds in the Megabit range not the Kilobit range - offering a much faster download service than we've been used to in the UK.- Download video: This was the big selling point when 3G launched - the ability to watch streamed video clips on your handset - this can be live TV, sports snippets, music, news headlines, weather forecasts, adult content, or movie trailers.
- Video calls: Make and receive video calls to/from other 3G users. See who you're talking to in real time
- Pictures: 3G phones can take still digital pictures as well as coping with video. You can send photos to other 3G users, as well as to users with non-3G phones that use MMS. Data speeds are considerably faster than a standard 2.5G MMS phone
- Location-based services: See a map of where you are, and where to find nearest shops, banks, etc (more)
- Games: Download games up to 30 times faster than standard GSM phones, and play online games such as Bomberman, Splinter Cell and the old favourite Scrabble.
The UK Networks:
| 3 |
The UK's first 3G network
operator. The offer ThreePay (a pay-as-you-go service), and a pay
monthly service starting from £15 per month with a free handset
and free minutes. More on our 3 page, or at www.three.co.uk. |
| o2 | o2 is offering a range of 3G handsets, and data tariffs. Their range is changing all the time, so it's best to check at www.o2.co.uk |
| Orange | Offering 3G to 70% of the UK. For more information, go to www.orange.co.uk |
| Vodafone | Also with a range of 3G data service and handset offerings, including data cards and high-volume business tariffs. More at www.vodafone.co.uk
. |
| T-Mobile | Their 3G network now covers a reasonable amount of the UK. At the time of writing, their Web 'n' Walk tariffs provides high speed mobile Internet access using a USB modem or 3G data card that connects to your laptop offering speeds of up to 1.8Meg. The card is free when you take out a 12 month contract. More at www.t-mobile.co.uk |
Tip: If you're looking for deals on 3G handsets, try Dial-a-phone , Carphone Warehouse and MobileShop
 Specials from 3:
In November 2007, 3 launched it's Skypephone. This is a standard 3G mobile that lets you make free Skype calls to other Skype users. As well as being a standard mobile phone, it can make free Skype calls, and it's got an MP3 player, 2 Meg camera, Internet, email and Bluetooth Available free on contract, or under £40 on pay-as-you-go. Great for free calls over Skype to the 170 million Skype users around the world. FREE calls to anyone, anywhere at anytime. More details on 3's Skypephone page. We've also reviewed the Skypephone. |
The handsets:
A quick look at some notable 3G handsets released in the UK:
| Motorola C975 | 3's Skypephone |
Price: FREE on selected tariffs from Mobiles.co.uk |
More on our Skypephone page Available from www.three.co.uk. |
| Nokia 6630 | LG 8138 |
|
|
If you want to connect your laptop to the Internet while away from home or the office, there are two offers worth looking at currently.
More on high-speed USB modems on our USB Modem page. |
Fast Mobile Internet on your laptop?Links
- Mobile Internet Access - Details of how to access fast Internet from your phone, PDA or laptop.
- USB Modems - A look at dongles that plug into your laptop for mobile Internet access
- Mobiles.co.uk offer a pretty impressive selection of special offers on 3
- 3's website: www.three.co.uk
- 3G coverage - check you're in a coverage area
- Discuss 3G - talk about 3 and 3G in our forum
Is this page correct? Something wrong or missing on this page? Report a site problem If you're looking for help, please don't use this option - instead use our forum |
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