When should you opt for 3G connectivity?

It enables extremely fast Internet connectivity on the move, but comes with a stiff price tag. So consider your needs before you decide to go for it
It may be the ultimate word when it comes to high-speed Internet on the move, but 3G remains an expensive proposition in the country. Hefty 3G usage can blow a significant hole in your wallet, with most mobile operators providing plans in the range of 500–2,000 a month. And if you happen to be careless, you could end up shelling out thousands of rupees each month. If all you need is basic Internet on your phone, you can get a GPRS/EDGE connection for as low as 99 a month. It will be significantly slower, but keep you connected. So, do you actually need a 3G connection? As in most tech matters, this depends on your needs and how you use your phone. Here’s a look at various situations when 3G might be handy or when it could be substituted with cheaper alternatives.

E-mail

BlackBerry users will tell you that e-mail connectivity works just as well on GPRS/EDGE. A 3G connection will be useful only if you are the type who sends and downloads hefty attachments (in excess of 2 MB). If not, stick to the old-fashioned connection.

Web browsing

If you surf the Web incessantly on your phone, you would definitely be better off with a 3G connection as there is a significant difference in speed compared with a GPRS/EDGE connection. Pages will load much faster and you will also be able to view video without any time lag. However, if you prefer to only read through websites, a GPRS/EDGE connection will work just fine.

The charge factor

There’s no sugarcoating it. A 3G connection will chew up your mobile phone’s battery, almost halving it, compared with a GPRS/EDGE connection. If you spend a lot of time in areas where power points (of the charging type) are in short supply, we would suggest not investing in a 3G connection. If you are still keen on it, invest in a spare battery or portable charger too.

Video calling

It might not have taken off with the fervour anticipated by tech pundits, but video calling is gaining popularity. If you love seeing the person you are talking to, 3G is essential. A GPRS/EDGE connection can’t handle a video call.

Internet on your (frequent) travels

3G connectivity is notoriously erratic in many parts of the country, so if you want to stay connected while roaming, we recommend giving 3G a miss. You can opt for 3G for a month or a pay-per-use plan and monitor your needs as well as usage for a short time.

Phone as a modem

Do you use Internet to check mail on your phone? Or do you use your phone as a modem to connect other devices to the Internet? If you do the latter frequently, use the much faster 3G connection, as EDGE/GPRS can lag, especially when you open desktop versions of websites. Making the most of 3G

Got yourself a 3G connection, but are terrified of running up a huge bill? Keep the following points in mind and your bill will remain within bounds.

Turn off 3G: Simply quit 3G (most smartphones allow you to choose between 2G and 3G connections) when you are not browsing the Internet or making video calls. Fear not, push mail will work as well on an EDGE connection.

Use specific browsers: Pick browsers like Opera Mini while surfing the Net. These reduce data usage as they compress Web pages before sending them to your device, resulting in lesser data consumption.

Keep track of usage:

Download an application that monitors data, such as the data counter widget on Android, to keep track of your usage.

Choose mobile versions: Most handset browsers give you the option of viewing desktop or mobile versions of websites. When in doubt, go with the mobile version. They are much lighter in terms of data usage.

Nimish Dubey ET16J0112