A smartphone with a data plan lets you connect to the Internet on the go.
Modern smartphones have significant Internet capibility, allowing you to browse, email, chat, listen to streaming music and watch online video. Not only can they connect via Wi-Fi, they can use cell towers to access the Internet. While this is typically slower than Wi-Fi, it's available almost everywhere you get a phone signal. Two of these technologies, available through most major cell phone providers, are known as EDGE and 3G.
Understanding EDGE
EDGE is used with GSM phone technology, the most commonly used cellular technology in the world. EDGE is an improvement on the ultra-slow GPRS data networks, and is considered a 3G technology, although it is less sophisticated. It was first deployed on Cingular's GSM network in 2003. Before the advent of modern 3G, EDGE was the standard for cellular data and Internet access.
Understanding 3G
Third generation, called 3G, is simply a continuation of the EDGE cellular data standards. It allows for higher transmission speeds of up to 2.4 Mbps and more advanced network protocols. Most cell phone carriers offer 3G as their standard data service over EDGE, as it is faster and more reliable. It is more expensive, however, and requires a greater signal strength to operate than EDGE.
Benefits
The benefits of both 3G and EDGE are numerous. Not only are they used to access the Internet, they are also used by mapping and assisted-GPS programs to help determine your location. Phone programs use Internet access in conjunction with GPS to locate lost or stolen phones.
Comparison
Because 3G is faster than EDGE in every area, it is usually preferred unless it is not available or the signal is too weak. EDGE has the upper hand in low-signal areas, as it requires less signal strength to operate than 3G. However, 3G often drops out in areas where there is a low-strength cellular signal. Initially, 3G data plans were fairly expensive compared to those using the older EDGE technology, but since the roll out of 4G data networks, beginning in 2009, the price of 3G data has dropped.
Expert Insight
Compared side-by-side, 3G wins, hands down. It can load a large website in 10 seconds or less, while EDGE may keep you waiting for 20 or 30 seconds. Not only is it much faster, it has more consistent speeds than EDGE. As 3G continues to be rolled out in the United States, it is widely available around the world. As EDGE is slowly phased out, 3G will reign until 4G, avaiable primarily in major urban as of March 2012, becomes standard.
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