As SA`s mobile operators begin rolling out third generation (3G) networks this year, plans are afoot internationally to devise a global standard for a super fast mobile transmission technology.
Some 26 of the world`s largest cellular operators and telecommunications equipment manufacturers, including Japan`s NEC and NTT DoCoMo, France`s Alcatel, Germany`s Siemens, the US`s Cingular Wireless and Vodafone of the UK, will work on developing the new technology standard.
Referred to as 'Super 3G`, the technology will be designed to transmit large volumes of moving images via cell phone, at speeds up to 10 times those of current 3G technology.
According to a Reuters report, Super 3G will be capable of boosting the transmission speeds of mobile data to somewhere between 30 and 100 MBps, which will make it capable of matching existing fibre optic land line technology.
The advanced technology will thus be able to send high-resolution video instantly, offering immense advantages to cell phone users in terms of playing movies, home videos or games on their handsets.
The report claims that a unified standard is expected to create a demand for phones with large liquid crystal displays, for better viewing, and will also help handset makers cut costs through mass production.
However, installing the new technology will not come cheap. Initial estimates by NTT DoCoMo in Japan suggest that the cost of upgrading its network for Super 3G may be in the region of $975 million.
A spokesman for the Japanese giant says that basic technological specifications for Super 3G will be compiled by 2007, although a commercial launch will likely only take place in 2009.
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