What is the 3G Network?

Being a premier cell phone provider in Horry County and through our partnership with AT&T, HTC is able to be at the forefront of providing the best cell service, cell technology and cell phone packages available in our coverage area.

Leading the way in new technology is the 3G network.

What's 3G technology? 3G technology is the latest in mobile communications and stands for "third generation." It is the natural evolution from analog cellular technology, which was generation one, and digital/PCS, which was generation two. The 3G technology was developed to deliver a true multimedia experience via cell phones, better known to us now as smartphones. It features increased bandwidth and transfer rates to accommodate Web-based applications and phone-based audio and video files.

Now in 2010, 3G networks have potential transfer speeds of up to 2 Mbps, or about 25 seconds to download a three minute MP3. By way of comparison, the fastest 2G phones could achieve was up to 144Kbps, or about eight minutes to download a three minute song. The high data rates of 3G are perfect for downloading information from the Web and sending and receiving large multimedia files.

In essence, smartphones are like mini-laptops and can accommodate broadband applications such as video conferencing, receiving streaming video from the Web, sending and receiving faxes and instantly downloading e-mail messages with attachments.

As mentioned earlier, our partnership with AT&T gives us access to the fastest 3G network nationwide. Currently the AT&T 3G network uses HSDPA/UMTS technology (High Speed Downlink Packet Access/Universal Mobile Telephone System), making it possible for those who have an HTC wireless calling plan to enjoy the variety of feature-rich wireless services previously mentioned. It also gives our users the advantage of offering simultaneous voice and data services, meaning that you can talk and use the Internet at the same time.

How awesome is that?

The HTC 3G network here in Horry County covers all of our incorporated towns including Loris, Conway, Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach and Surfside Beach. Large parts of the Socastee area and Carolina Forest also are covered by our 3G network. Additionally, most of our major roads have long stretches of uninterrupted 3G coverage, including the entire length of Hwy 17 from Little River to Murrells Inlet. To see exactly where HTC has coverage, visit http://htcinc.net/wireless_coverage.cfm.

Until next time, feel free to share your thoughts on what's happening at HTC in the "comments" section below.

Best,

Tom