3G Spectrum ?

rogue-entity

What muppet decided the frequencies for 3G in the first place. As I understand it, 2G phones use 850, 900, 1800 & 1900 and 3G phones use 1900 and 2100.

Now what annoys me is why they dont use 950-1750 (800Mhz 160 channels) as well as 1850-2350 (500MHz 100 channels). As you may know, under a given power, lower frequencies travel greater distances, especialy at night time. So wouldnt it have made more sence to use this lower frequency block, which would allow for cells more or less the same size as a GSM cell? This would mean that 3G coverage in rural areas could be done cheaper as less cells would be needed and the current 2100MHz cells could be kept for use in cities where populations are much more dense.

That said, there is a possibility I am sure that this could still happen, in the same way that phones designed to operate on (US)UMTS and CDMA/EvDO can be made for better interoperability in the US

cooperguy

The lower frequencys cant hold as much information as there is less waves travelling per second and 3g content needs high speed connections. Thats my understanding of it anyway, there is a large chance i might be wrong though!!!

pyramuid man

You also have to remember that UMTS is only the beginning of 3G technology,
There is a newish technology called HSPDA and this will be coming to vodafone very soon and will supposedly be a 1mb connection at least.

The Doktor

Also EDGE may be used in the country.