Opinion The 3G question
3G is for easier data consumption,it doesnt make life much easier for those who just use voice on their phone.
Have you also been thinking of getting a 3G phone and migrating to the superman-speed network? Then its time for you to ponder over a few questions.
Do you need 3G?
Yes,if you are someone who consumes a lot of data on your mobile device and gets really frustrated by the buffering sign that comes up every time you try an open a YouTube video. But if you are someone who has never used the browser on your phone and doesnt know what even GPRS is,then you can easily avoid 3G.
3G is essentially an improvement in data speeds for mobile networks. The voice capabilities remain more or less the same. The logic is simple,you can increase data speeds for video streaming and online gaming,but there is no way you can talk faster or hear faster,no matter what network you are on.
Do you need a 3G phone?
If you are planning to buy a new phone,buy one with 3G. No point getting a phone which is not up-to-date. But move to a 3G service only when you are convinced that you need to shift to a data-heavy environment. The existing networks are fast enough for regular browsing,and the smart phones these days make life even simpler.
What are the costs involved in 3G?
3G plans are costlier than regular ones. So unless you are sure that you will make good use of 3G,dont migrate. There is no point being on a 3G network,paying a bigger bill and not making use of its services. For example,you have to pay at least Rs 650 for a plan that gives you 1.5 GB of download. You will pay the minimum amount even if you dont do any data download,plus your call charges will be extra.
Another thing to remember is that 3G is a much faster network than anything you have already used. So exceeding your limit wont be that difficult. You might get bored of a 10-minute YouTube video in the second minute itself,but the phone would have downloaded the entire clip by then. Things get quite steep once you cross your monthly data threshold. So be cautious.
Plus the 3G network is still patchy,even in the metros. It will take some time for you to get 3G speeds everywhere,unless you are on the either MTNL or BSNL.
Just remember,3G is for easier data consumption,it doesnt make life much easier for people who use just voice on their phone. But if you looking for just bragging rights,go ahead.
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