Just a different technology. The Second generation used GSM for voice and

GPRS for data. GPRS, even when sped up to the max (called Edge) was still only capable of giving you the bandwidth you used to get on an old dial-in modem years ago. And it works similarly in that you have to explicitly establish a data session (internet connection) first.

UMTS is all data (even voice calls), so you are constantly online. It's considerably faster. With an extra layer on top of UMTS called HSDPA your phone is actually capable of achieving broadband speeds you would be happy with from your computer at home so you can use the full web, not just the mobile web.

A next generation is on the way, although still based on UMTS. 4G is called LTE and can operate at high bandwidth rates, including streaming live HD quality images - this has been piloted on buses in Germany with monitors showing live streamed HD TV using mobile technology.

Yawn. Snooze. Sorry but you did ask.

Posted By: Steve in Holland on November 18th 2009 at 11:09:42

Message Thread

fao: iphooners (General Chat) - Cheltenham_Canary, Nov 18, 10:49:31
- serious question regarding 3G (General Chat) - CB41, Nov 18, 10:55:32
  - UMTS (n/m) (General Chat) - Steve in Holland, Nov 18, 11:00:35
    - Oh (n/m) (General Chat) - CB41, Nov 18, 11:07:01
  - Third generation mobile data connectivity. (n/m) (General Chat) - Johnny Comecardiff, Nov 18, 10:57:28
    - Oh. (General Chat) - CB41, Nov 18, 10:58:41
      - Just a different technology. The Second generation used GSM for voice and (General Chat) - Steve in Holland, Nov 18, 11:09:42
        
        It sounds all very good, assuming you want watch telly on a bus or in the street (General Chat) - CB41, Nov 18, 11:13:22
        
        No, that was testing the LTE network without having any LTE phones... (General Chat) - Steve in Holland, Nov 18, 11:17:53
        
        Christ, thank god i'm this side of 30 and don't want/need all that shit (n/m) (General Chat) - CB41, Nov 18, 11:19:35
        
        Yet... (General Chat) - Steve in Holland, Nov 18, 11:21:53
        
        I don't know what that means. I use my PC at work and my laptop (General Chat) - CB41, Nov 18, 11:24:10
        
        Didn't you once say "laptop ? Why would I ever need a bloody laptop ?!" (n/m) (General Chat) - Steve in Holland, Nov 18, 11:25:01
        
        Possibly. If I hadn't had to stay at my son's, I wouldn't. I only use it (General Chat) - CB41, Nov 18, 11:28:49
        
        I suppose it could be. Thing is that you have no idea how they have implemented security (n/m) (General Chat) - Steve in Holland, Nov 18, 11:39:18
      - Well wap and 2g sucked, 3g when it was still pay as you go became a lot cheaper (General Chat) - pants, Nov 18, 11:09:05
        
        Why would it be cheaper if the page loaded quicker ? (General Chat) - Steve in Holland, Nov 18, 11:11:18
        
        Ah, so you only need it if you can't wait till you get home or to work (General Chat) - CB41, Nov 18, 11:10:29
        
        It has been a life saver with me for things like German train timetables when (General Chat) - Steve in Holland, Nov 18, 11:12:47
        
        So..... (General Chat) - Johnny Comecardiff, Nov 18, 11:14:53
        
        What's the number ? (Without you referring to the internet) ? (n/m) (General Chat) - Steve in Holland, Nov 18, 11:20:06
        
        And how far off death were you? (General Chat) - Johnny Comecardiff, Nov 18, 11:22:17
        
        Do you actually speak English ? (n/m) (General Chat) - Steve in Holland, Nov 18, 11:25:18
        
        Can't you just look in Contacts? (n/m) (General Chat) - CB41, Nov 18, 11:21:24
        
        or driving. That's what you'd do in England, unless you earn ?100K/a and can afford trains (n/m) (General Chat) - CB41, Nov 18, 11:16:03
        
        I wasn't in England, was I ? (n/m) (General Chat) - Steve in Holland, Nov 18, 11:20:33
        
        Yeah, I know. Trains are a no no here. (n/m) (General Chat) - CB41, Nov 18, 11:21:55
      - an improvement on "two beans tins and some string", yes. (n/m) (General Chat) - Cheltenham_Canary, Nov 18, 11:02:28
        
        I imagine it is, even my proper phone is that. How do I know (General Chat) - CB41, Nov 18, 11:03:56
        
        Can you do video calls ? (n/m) (General Chat) - Steve in Holland, Nov 18, 11:11:34
        
        Haven't got a scooby. Never had the need so haven't investigated. (General Chat) - CB41, Nov 18, 11:15:07
- serious question regarding 3G (General Chat) - samcd84, Nov 18, 10:54:14
  - In an metal framed building? (General Chat) - Johnny Comecardiff, Nov 18, 10:59:57
- or wait till half time and the announcer reads them out. (n/m) (General Chat) - CB41, Nov 18, 10:50:59
  - they only do Prem and League 1 at the ground though cb (n/m) (General Chat) - Jumbo1, Nov 18, 11:12:44
  - Ice age been and gone (General Chat) - Johnny Comecardiff, Nov 18, 10:52:51
  - Wait? (General Chat) - duke of york, Nov 18, 10:52:24
    - Well if you are interested in other teams scores that is. (General Chat) - CB41, Nov 18, 10:54:27

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