3G stands for "third generation" and refers to the third generation of cellular network technology. It was introduced in the early 2000s and marked a significant advancement over the previous 2G networks, especially in terms of data transfer speeds and mobile internet capabilities

. Key aspects of 3G include:

• It enabled mobile phones to support not only voice calls and texts but also faster internet access, multimedia services like video calling, and mobile TV

• 3G networks provided data transfer rates starting at a minimum of 144 kbit/s, with later enhancements (3.5G and 3.75G) increasing speeds up to 42 Mbit/s, supporting better web browsing, video streaming, and online gaming

• The technology is based mainly on two standards: UMTS (for GSM networks) and CDMA2000 (for CDMA networks)

• 3G networks facilitated seamless connectivity, allowing users to move across regions without changing numbers or devices

• It was a foundational step toward modern mobile broadband and paved the way for subsequent technologies like 4G and 5G

While revolutionary at its time, 3G is now largely phased out in many regions as newer generations like 4G and 5G offer much higher speeds and capabilities. However, some legacy devices and applications still rely on 3G networks

. In summary, 3G is the third generation of mobile telecommunications technology that introduced faster mobile internet and multimedia services beyond basic voice and text, enabling the smartphone era to begin