3G Network Fundamental For Next Wave Of It Technologies, Experts Say

[webfact]

NFORUM

3G network fundamental for next wave of it technologies, experts say

By Asina Pornwasin

The Nation

A wide range of wireless broadband, especially a 3G network, is the fundamental key to the next wave of new technologies designed for greater user experience, according to participants at the "NForum" that brought various experts in the field together.

IT specialists, scientists, business people and young digital users attending the Nforum agreed that fast-paced technological development was making many "dreams" come true, and the explosion of broadband usage would accelerate it even further.

NForum, the monthly forum hosted by The Nation, addressed the topic of "Beyond Speed and Connection World, What's next?"on Saturday. The participants agreed that the speed of progress and new knowledge are edging towards the vertical line and threatening to outpace science fiction ideas of a few decades ago.

Besides mobile phones, people must watch out for dizzying changes related to auto and TV technologies. Also, the days will come when ever-improving virtual reality transforms how people communicate.

Intel Microelectronics (Thailand) country manager Accharas Ouysinprasert said the fundamental technology is a 3G network that will help lead all new technologies, allowing use of services anywhere anytime, with smart devices including smart phones, ultrabooks, or even a car's navigator. These services are driven by cloud technologies.

He said that this year is the 30th anniversary of the first personal computer powered by an Intel microprocessor. It was August 1981 when the first IBM PC was launched with an Intel 8088 microprocessor.

"The personal computing industry is stepping into what has been called 'the extended PC era'. And, Intel has announced a new computing device called the Ultrabook," said Accharas.

The Ultrabook is an attempt by Intel to create a new market segment that captures the best characteristics of existing desktop, laptop and netbook computers. It is also a result of Intel's efforts to cope with the rapidly changing behaviour of consumers, and the clear preference for lightweight computing devices that are very slim but are still powerful, and which offer to boot up or shut down in just a few seconds.

"However, all devices will be computing devices. People will experience and benefit from these new technologies when they can use them anywhere anytime as the key driving factor is the wide range wireless network, especially 3G," said Accharas. He added that having 3G is crucial to preparing the country to compete with its neighbours even though Laos and Vietnam have already rolled out a 3G network.

Internationally acclaimed science fiction author and composer Somtow Sucharitkul said that once a high-quality wireless network had covered the country, the future scenario of virtual communication would become true in Thai society.

"Whether this kind of society scenario is good or bad, I don't know. But this scenario is coming. For example, we can have dinner together but in different places, together in virtual communication via the screen," said Somtow.

SIS Distribution (Thailand) managing director Somchai Sittichaisrichart said that in history, when the computing device became smaller than ever, it created a huge number of users. It progressed from server to personal computer, smart phone, and tablet. But the key connected technology was the Internet. "The next big thing in technology is near field communication (NFC) technology, especially in financial business, since it can be used in a mobile phone to turn the phone into an electronic wallet," said Somchai.

Meanwhile, NokAir chief executive officer Patee Sarasin said that voice recognition and motion detection are the next big technologies to change peoples' experience interacting with any services.

He added, however, that technologies can be two-edged swords, as there are many people who do not have a chance to experience existing technologies and social networking. The urgent agenda for the country is to give them a chance to enjoy the technologies, even though today they may use them for nonsense matters or non-business purposes.

Somtow agreed that sometimes technology could create problems. TV and the Internet have been seen as a bad thing when children do not use them properly.

However, speakers insisted that all technologies would provide the most use and satisfaction for users when they are driven by a wireless broadband network. So they called for the government to "decentralise" technologies and make widely available use of wireless broadband networks to give people equal chances to benefit from the Internet.

-- The Nation 2011-08-08

[Digitalbanana]

No sh!t Sherlock comes to mind, is this an historical news archive perhaps? :-)

[woodyleonhard]

They're absolutely right on several points, of course, although it sounds like the reps of some companies are pushing their own technologies.

I'm surprised at all the references to "3G." As you all know, "4G" (LTE Advanced and others) is becoming more and more widely available. Thailand is so far behind the curve with 3G (HSPA, WiMax, et al), why doesn't the government encourage leapfrogging to the next level of technology - especially with the 2.1 GHz spectrum not yet assigned?

At the very least we could get LTE (arguably somewhere between "3G" and "4G").

[samuijimmy]

After spending the best part of three weeks, traveling around Malaysia, I used 3 g from Maxis... (one of the carriers down there, someone did tell me that Celcom, was even better????)

What a difference. No buffering when listening to music, and downloads fast... (Using Ipad 2)... There were not many places I tried to connect that there was no or little signal... Speeds on music stations over 1 MB and no buffering, here using my True sim card I get more buffering than I do music (3 seconds +- music 10 seconds or more of buffering .... (Sky FM).

I got True, in antisipation the the release date would be soon.... the box says True Move 3 g + wifi for the Sim card.

I have also tried AIS and GSM, both no better in my location, some times better in certain areas... really quite poor! (not 3 g) although AIS was best of the batches, so far! at least in my area.

I'd agree that why not jump to 4 g... ? I did see 4 g adveristed in one location in KL, but not mainstream there yet {?}

According to CAT CDMA, 3 g is supposed to start on Samui on August 10th... But when you ask True, (supposedly going to be the carriers of 3 g, they have no idea when it will start... ( should we hold our breathe????)

I believe, 3 g has been released in some areas of Thailand, not heard if it is as good as supposidely promised???

I am no techno wizard with understanding all this, but lets get on with the "program"

[astral]

3G in India is also excellent and well developed, with coverage in all major cities

and many thousands of villages. Speeds of 3Mb/s are easly achieved and reliable.