Thanks to the boom in smartphone technology there are now almost an endless amount of Apps and services that allow you to make 3G international calls. Some of the most popular Apps, include Viber, Rebtel, Skype and Tango, making it possible to stay in touch all over the world at more affordable rates, even free at times, thanks to digital technology.  That said, it has to be remembered that 3G technology is not infallible.

What is 3G?

3G stands for the 3rd generation of mobile telecommunications standards. In reality, 3G is the technology which has been the driving force behind the swell in popularity of smartphones and Internet broadband. 3G allows users to access the Internet while on the move at a much better speed than was previously possible. This simple function drove the development of smartphones that are now synonymous with mobile/cell phone use, almost completely obliterating traditional phones.   Simply put, 3G technology has enabled an era of global communication on the move at a quicker and cheaper rate than ever before.

What are the problems with 3G?

Wireless 3G technology has certainly had a huge impact on modern life for many, but it has to be remembered that this technology is not perfect. If you are using 3G to make international calls then some of the more commonly encountered problems are:

• 3G ‘blackspots’ – While 3G has wide coverage, there are many parts of the globe where the 3G signal cannot be picked up and reception is poor. If you are in one of these 3G ‘blackspots’ then you will find your ability to make international calls or use other 3G services severely impaired.

• Data Rates – One of the anomalies of 3G is that the International Telecommunications Union has not clearly identified the data rates that users should expect from 3G equipment. As a result, many users who are using 3G enabled devices may find that the data transfer rates they experience are of a much lower performance than they were expecting.

• Instability – Even though we have now moved on and 4G is becoming ever more prominent, 3G is still an emerging technology, and hence there are still teething problems in its use and application. This leads to a degree of instability when using the technology, meaning that your calls can be of poor quality at times, especially in areas where 3G reception quality is below average.

Are there any solutions available?

Until recently there were few solutions available for the international caller who had their 3G call cut off out of the blue. Many just had to wait until the signal improved to make the call once again. This is frustrating for many people and companies have worked hard to figure out a way to resolve this issue.

Some companies, like Rebtel for example, have now come up with a simple, yet brilliant solution. Their “Keep Talking” function allows customers to talk to their contacts via 3G, but if their call connection starts to fail, or their call quality degenerates, the user is prompted and allowed to transfer the call either to a traditional mobile call or to Wi-Fi (if it is available).

Certainly, if you make a lot of 3G international calls, the Rebtel app is one to consider downloading to avoid frustrating downtime caused by a lack of 3G coverage while you are on the move.