Welcome to the third generation
The 3G, or third generation, mobile network lets you really make the most of your mobile phone with a great range of advanced services.
With the latest 3G mobile phones you can get online to check your emails, get directions and even make video calls to friends and family.
What can you do with 3G?
Having a 3G mobile phone allows you to take advantage of a whole host of new services such as video calling, music downloads and 3G mobile internet.
More than 87 per cent of the UK is now connected to the 3G network according to telecoms regulator Ofcom. 3G is the latest mobile network technology and with the right kind of phone you can really make the most of what 3G has to offer.
3G mobile phones like the iPhone, Blackberry and Google G1 have a great range of services and applications such as emails sent direct to your phone, the internet whenever you need it and even assisted GPS showing you exactly where you are on a map - so you'll never be lost again.
But you don't need one of the latest and most high-tech 3G phones to use 3G. Most new mobiles come with 3G capabilities to allow you to get online, download the latest MP3s and ringtones and check your email.
The pros and cons of 3G mobile phones
A 3G mobile lets you get the best from your phone and there really is a 3G application to suit everyone. Whether you need access to your emails no matter where you are, want to watch the grandchildren take their first steps with live video calling or want to book cinema tickets online, 3G can help.
Many people are wary of 3G mobile internet because they think that it's too expensive, slow or hard to use, but all of the major mobile phone providers now offer special bundles and tariffs to include a 3G data allowance and there's usually a fair usage daily rate for one off users too - which can be as low as 30p per day depending on which provider you go with.
The latest 3G mobile phones have been designed to make 3G internet surfing as easy and as fast as possible too.
How do you get 3G on your mobile phone?
Whether or not you can access 3G internet on your mobile phone depends on two things; being covered by the 3G network and having a 3G mobile phone.
All of the major mobile phone providers have their own 3G network so do a coverage check on the providers' websites to see which ones offer 3G in your area. Once you're sure you'll be covered by the 3G network you just need to choose from the ever-expanding range of great 3G enabled mobile phones.
