You'll be able to access multimedia-rich sites or even videoconference. With fewer competing standards, service will be accessible nearly anywhere in the country. 3G wireless technology, however, isn't likely to be introduced in the U.S. until 2003, and 2-Mbps speed won't be available until 2005, according to Craig Mathias, affiliate wireless analyst with Mobile Insights and principal with Farpoint Group. One serious hurdle is the federal government. The fcc currently plans to announce the 3G bands by July 30 and auction off spectrum licenses by September 30, 2002.
Cost is also a hurdle.
Telecommunication carriers will have to spend billions of dollars. However, most carriers don't yet know how much it will cost to implement 3G systems, says Forrester Research. Wireless services could be an increasingly important revenue stream for these companies. Hardware and software developers are focusing efforts on 3G for the same reason. WAP, the protocol behind text-based wireless sites, will also evolve as the wireless Internet moves toward supporting multimedia.