3g

3G, or third generation, refers to the set of mobile telecommunications standards that followed 2G, providing higher data speeds and broader multimedia capabilities for mobile devices. Developed under ITU guidelines as part of the IMT-2000 framework, 3G networks began rolling out in the early 2000s with commercial services appearing in many regions by 2001–2003. The aim was to enable reliable broadband-like data access alongside traditional voice services on mobile devices.

Two main families of 3G technologies emerged. In most of the world, UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) using W-CDMA (wideband code-division multiple access) became the dominant platform, and it evolved with improvements such as HSPA (High Speed Packet Access) and the later HSPA+ enhancements to raise data rates. In parts of North America and other regions, CDMA2000 provided an alternative path, progressing from 1xRTT to EV-DO (Evolution-Data Optimized), with Rev. A and later Rev. B delivering higher peak speeds.

Performance varied by network and device, but typical real-world speeds ranged from hundreds of kilobits per second to a few megabits per second, depending on distance, congestion, and spectrum. The introduction of HSPA and EV-DO substantially increased throughput, enabling mobile web access, email, video calls, streaming, and other data services on smartphones and tablets.

3G was largely superseded by 4G LTE and then 5G in many markets, which offered substantially higher speeds and improved efficiency. Nonetheless, 3G deployment significantly influenced mobile broadband development, device ecosystems, and the global shift toward data-centric wireless communications, with some networks continuing operation for legacy services and coverage in underserved areas.