Designers Face Tough Challenges In 3G Cellular/PCS Phone Specs

Looking Ahead
It isn't anticipated that the first full-3G phones and systems will be available until some time in 2001. The earliest full implementation will probably take place in Japan. In the meantime, operators and cellular-equipment manufacturers will continue to augment, enhance, and otherwise improve the current 2.5G phones. In any case, current phones and systems will gradually evolve into full-fledged 3G designs over the coming years.

It could be as late as 2005 before full-3G objectives are met. This gradual progress will be caused by the slower infrastructure growth due to the massive investment that's required. Most operator companies will delay the build-out.

Study groups are already beginning to think in terms of the next or fourth generation. What is a 4G cell phone and what does it feature? Well, we can certainly expect such phones to operate at even higher microwave frequencies than current models. Plus, even higher data rates will be possible. What we may be looking at is a color video phone with voice recognition operating in the 2-GHz+ range. Or, perhaps it will be just a headset with hearing-aid-size RF and processing circuitry.