Third generation or 3G networks represent an international standard for wide-area cellular networks that are replacing 2G networks. The main advantage of 3G networks is use of a wider radio spectrum resulting in faster data transmission for advanced multimedia services and a larger network capacity. Carriers can deliver these advantages at a reduced cost compared to 2G network technologies, though physical implementation of a 3G network can be expensive in some cases.

3G networks represent the natural evolution from previous standards. Increasingly Cell phones and handheld mobile devices have incorporated additional services to telephony. Today’s mobile devices offer high-speed World Wide web access, emailing, messaging, video phone and multimedia services. People want to be able to watch streaming movies on their cellular phones, download and play music, store data and share files with other cellular users. 3G networks offer faster, slicker ways to do this.