3G mobile technologies will be obsolete by 2010
The Finnish research institute VTT has predicted that 3G mobile phones will be rendered obsolete by a fifth-generation (5G) of mobile technology. Their researchers have said that 5G offerings, based on high-frequency mobile extensions of today's fixed-line broadband Internet networks, could begin to supersede the third-generation networks as early as 2010. VTT also envisage the emergence of a fourth generation of mobile services that will allow users to connect to different networks depending on their location. For example, a handset could connect to a wireless local area network (WLAN) when inside a building, switch to a 3G mast when outside, and connect to a standard network in areas with no 3G coverage. Pertti Raatikainen, a research professor at VTT, is quoted as saying 'Over the next five to ten years GPRS [general packet radio service], 3G and WLAN will all be accessible via multi-network terminals and this type of roaming between networks will be called '4G'. But beyond 2010 a new network labelled 5G will start to render 3G obsolete.' VTT's vision of 5G technologies has a basis in the work of the European Commission's Samba project, funded under the ACTS (advanced communications technologies and services) section of the Fourth Framework Programme. The Samba project created a trial environment for the use of broadband services by mobile users. The results gave researchers a valuable insight into the technology challenges, and have helped in the drive towards a fourth and fifth generation of mobile platforms.