Home » Full Forms » Computer Acronyms/Abbreviations

What is the full form of 3G?

Full form of 3G: Here, we are going to learn what does 3G stands for? 3G – which is an abbreviation of "Third Generation" in Computer Acronyms/Abbreviations, etc. By Anushree Goswami Last updated : March 30, 2024

3G: Third Generation

3G is an abbreviation of the "Third Generation".

3G is the third generation of wireless mobile telecommunications technology. It is the enhanced version of 2.5G and 2.5G GPRS networks, for more rapid data transmission speed. This is established on the foundation of a set of principles used for mobile devices and mobile telecommunications use services and networks that meet the terms with the International Mobile Telecommunications-2000 (IMT-2000) specifications by the International Telecommunication Union.

3G Applications

3G discovers application in:

• Wireless voice telephony.
• Mobile Internet access.
• Fixed wireless Internet access.
• Video calls.
• Mobile TV.

3G Telecommunication Networks

3G telecommunication networks maintain services that make available an information transfer rate of at the minimum 144 kbit/s. Afterward, 3G launches, frequently symbolized 3.5G and 3.75G, also make available mobile broadband access of quite a lot of Mbit/s to smartphones and mobile modems in laptop computers. This makes sure it can be put into application to wireless voice telephony, mobile Internet access, fixed wireless Internet access, video calls, and mobile TV technologies.

3G History

• In the early 1980s, 3G technology was the outcome of research and development work carried out by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
• In 1998, the first pre-commercial 3G network was introduced by NTT DoCoMo in Japan, recognized as FOMA. In May 2001, it was first accessible as a pre-launch (test) of W-CDMA technology.
• On 1 October 2001, the first commercial release of 3G was also by NTT DoCoMo in Japan, even though it was in the beginning to some extent limited in scale or possibility; broader accessibility or ease of use of the system was postponed by noticeable apprehensions over its consistency and trustworthiness.
• In January 2002, the first network to launch commercially live was by SK Telecom in South Korea on the CDMA-based 1xEV-DO technology.
• The first commercial United States 3G networks were began by Monet Mobile Networks, on CDMA2000 1x EV-DO technology, however this network provider afterward shut down its operations.
• The first commercial United Kingdom 3G network was began by Hutchison Telecom which was formerly behind Orange S.A. In 2003, it publicized first commercial third generation or 3G mobile phone network in the UK.
• In February 2002, the first pre-commercial display network in the southern hemisphere was manufactured in Adelaide, South Australia by m.Net Corporation using UMTS on 2100 MHz.
• In Africa, Emtel introduced the first 3G network.
• Telstra made a strategy to shut down its 3G network in 2024.

Reference: 3G