3GRead People Like A Book

Since 3G is a very new technology, it is easy to expect that there are some

drawbacks as well. More and more developments are being conducted by

various manufacturers worldwide, to better cater to the needs of consumers.

You can take advantage by getting to know your gadgets and tools from the

inside out. Here are some details on the possible consequences and if you

should consider getting your own 3G mobile unit.

Some Backfires

Some devices, particularly the iPhone 3G, has no instant messaging options

or MMS. You then take out the advantage of sending and receiving photos via

MMS. There is inadequate or missing expandable memory too. A number of

devices may appear in a couple of variants, namely the 8 and 16 GB built-in

memory.

The non-detachable battery also is a disadvantage, since you have to put

two and two together to get the needed energy. There are also limited

service provider selections, so you do not get to pick your personal ISP.

Instead it is taken and sold via a certain MSP Mobile Service Provider. The

price of some 3G tools also may be very expensive for a number of

individuals. You should learn how to compare your options on the internet

and through local dealers.

From GPRS to UMTS

Several network elements can be used again, starting from GPRS network. The

included ones are HLR or home location register, VLR or visitor location

register, EIR or equipment identity register, MSC or mobile switching

center which is vendor dependent, AUC or authentication center, GGSN or

gateway GPRS support node and SGSN which is vendor dependent or serving

GPRS support node.

If you are starting from GSM or global service for mobile communication

radio network, you cannot use some elements again, such as BSC or base

station controller and BTS or base transceiver station. These can stay

inside the network and be used in two network operations wherein 2G and 3G

networks exist together. At this occasion the network migration and recent

3G terminals are also present for use within the network.

Some Functionalities

The UMTS network shows and introduces some recent network elements that

work as specified by 3GPP, namely MGW or media gateway, base station or

node B or RNC or radio network controller. The functions of SGSN and MSC

will vary when going toward UMTS. In a GSM system, the MSG controls all the

circuit switched operations such as linking A and B subscriber through the

network. In UMTS, the MGW or media gateway is responsible for all types of

data transferred in both the pack switched networks and the circuits. MSC

and SGSN manage operations of MGW. The nodes will be named again to GSN and

MSC servers.

Discussing Security

Compared to its 2G predecessors, 3G networks are a lot more secure. It

allows the UE to authenticate the network it is attaching to, allowing the

user to be certain that the network is the right one and not just a mere

impersonator. 3G networks usually make use of the KASUMI block crypto,

compared to the old A5/1 stream cipher. Several major weaknesses in the

cipher have been discovered, however.

There is also end to end security provided when application frameworks like

IMS are accessed.