Chapter 1: Introduction

1.1 Background

“3G, short for third Generation, is the third generation of mobile telecommunications technology” (Geneva, 2002). 3G telecommunication networks support services that provide an information transfer rate of at least 200 kbit/s. Later 3G releases, often denoted 3.5G and 3.75G, also provide mobile broadband access of several Mbit/s to smart phones and mobile modems in laptop computers. “3G finds application in wireless voice telephony, mobile Internet access, fixed wireless Internet access, video calls and mobile TV. This is a set of standards used for mobile devices and mobile telecommunication use services and networks that comply with the International Mobile Telecommunications-2000 (IMT-2000) specifications by the International Telecommunication Union3G finds application in wireless voice telephony, mobile Internet access, fixed wireless Internet access, video calls and mobile TV” (Smith and Collins, 2000).

3G technology is the result of research and development work carried out by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in the early 1980s. 3G specifications and standards were developed in fifteen years. The technical specifications were made available to the public under the name IMT-2000. “The communication spectrum between 400 MHz to 3 GHz was allocated for 3G. Both the government and communication companies approved the 3G standard” (CDG Market Trends and Facts). “The first pre-commercial 3G network was launched by NTT DoCoMo in Japan in 1998, branded as FOMA” (ITU Press Release). “It was first available in May 2001 as a pre-release (test) of W-CDMA technology” (ITU Press Release). “The first commercial launch of 3G was also by NTT DoCoMo in Japan on 1 October 2001, although it was initially somewhat limited in scope; broader availability of the system was delayed by apparent concerns over its reliability” (ITU Press Release).

The first European pre-commercial network was an UMTS network on the Isle of Man by Manx Telecom, the operator then owned by British Telecom, and the first commercial network (also UMTS based W-CDMA) in Europe was opened for business by Telenor in December 2001 with no commercial handsets and thus no paying customers. The first network to go commercially live was by SK Telecom in South Korea on the CDMA-based 1xEV-DO technology in January 2002. By May 2002 the second South Korean 3G network was by KT on EV-DO and thus the South Koreans were the first to see competition among 3G operators. “The first commercial United States 3G network was by Monet Mobile Networks, on CDMA2000 1x EV-DO technology, but this network provider later shut down operations. The second 3G network operator in the USA was Verizon Wireless in July 2002 also on CDMA2000 1x EV-DO AT&T Mobility is also a true 3G UMTS network, having completed its upgrade of the 3G network to HSUPA” (Reuters, 2008). “The first pre-commercial demonstration network in the southern hemisphere was built in Adelaide, South Australia by m.Net Corporation in February 2002 using UMTS on 2,100 MHz. This was a demonstration network for the 2002 IT World Congress. The first commercial 3G network was launched by Hutchison Telecommunications branded as Three or "3" in June 2003. Emtel launched the first 3G network in Africa”(Draft Summary minutes, 2001).

In our country 3G is the new and fresh topic of concern for a developing country like ours. Nowadays, almost all mobile phone service operators in our country offer 3G service. The first 3G service in our country was introduced by Teletalk, and then the rest followed. The reason behind our study is to know what to people are expecting 3G will bring; is it a better smarter and faster life or just an invention of scientists simply. We want to explore and reveal effects of 3G technology in the business systems, in educational purposes and mass communication.

1.2 Rationale

3G is a new emerging issue for developing county like Bangladesh. The reason behind our study is to know what people are thinking 3g will bring them, a better and smart life or just an invention of scientists that they are obliged to do. We wanted to reveal the scope of 3G technology in the business systems, in educational purposes and mass communications and so forth.

1.3 Problem statement

The introduction of 3G internet will affect the lifestyle of people; it has positive sides and negative sides as well.

1.4 Objectives

Primary objective –

▪ What are the advantages of 3G?

▪ How it is going to change our society?

▪ How 3G will affect the people’s way of communication especially the student?

Detailed objective -

▪ What would be the impact to economy?

▪ What would be the impact to our society especially to the young generation?

▪ How it is going to change our society?

▪ How many people can take the advantage of 3G?

▪ What extra facilities people can get from 3G?

▪ Will 3G be able to fulfil the expectation?

▪ The disadvantages of it.

1.5 Scope of the study

3G technology offers faster connectivity, music entertainment with the best quality and faster internet access. The advantages are so many. We can easily get other benefits like quick and easy video calling, video call facility, clearer communication experiences and faster speeds when the two parties are using 3G technology. Accessibility Because of easy and fast accessibility, enjoy data transmission speed up to a maximum of 2 Mbps, if the individual is using the cellular phone on stationary phone. This also gives bigger and faster data transfer rates of increased networking and connectivity.

This study focuses on how third generation (3G) technology helping our daily life. What Bangladeshi people are thinking about the benefit of 3G? How efficiently they are using 3G technology.3G system has made our lifestyle a lot more comfortable and exciting. With the high-rising technology innovation, communication has become fast-paced and easier. And with the strong presence of 3G technology, growth in wireless communication has become a commonality across the globe. 3G mobile phones are the latest in the line to enable you to access faster global mobility.

Field analysis has been carried out in the following areas of Dhaka city: Motijheel, Dhanmondi, Banani, Uttara, Gulshan, Moghbazar-Malibagh and Mirpur. As 3G provider companies still working on the expansion they haven’t been able to provide service to all over the city. That’s why we tried to cover these areas.

Chapter 2: Methodology

2.1 Research Design

We were done with the problem statement and establishing the research objectives, now it was the time to set the research design. Here the question is, what is the research design? A research design is a master plan of specifying the methods and procedures for collecting and analyzing the needed information. It is a frame work or blueprint that plans the action for the research project.

The type of the research we chose was descriptive research because this is the research which is done after knowing the research problem and after setting the research objectives. Then another reason is that, descriptive research is a research which is done to describe the population characteristics. Here our motto is the same as we want to know what the people are thinking about the 3G technology and how this is going to affect their lives.

Now it was the time to decide that how this descriptive research will be conducted? In case of descriptive researches, the research tools are the surveys, experiments, secondary data studies and observation. Here we chose to conduct survey as it is a great source of collecting the primary data. We put emphasized on primary data because primary data provides most accurate results. In case survey there are some predetermined questions and respondents are asked those, according to the information gathered from the surveys the idea is taken and then rest of the research steps are planned.

Besides the survey, we also went through secondary data study. We collected secondary data because of making the research more reliable.

2.2 Target Population & Its Geographical Distribution

Our target population was the individuals using 3G in Dhaka city. It was really a tough job to get a complete list of 3G users of Dhaka city and the process was much lengthy and complicated too. We were focused on Dhaka city only because beside Dhaka the 3G network is not so developed and it was not so convenient for us to conduct survey outside of Dhaka. We allocated our samples from the areas where 3G network is available and we also went to shopping malls like Bashundhara city, Navana Baily Star to capture the community. The residential/commercial areas where surveys were conducted are : Gulshan, Banani, Dhanmondi, Motijheel, Uttora and mirpur mainly, there were a few other parts too.

2. Sample Design & Its Procedure

We chose the sampling method for collecting the primary data. Besides primary data, secondary data was also collected. Now coming back on primary data collection, we used non-probability sampling method. Why we did not go for probability sampling method is just that on probability sampling method there is a non-zero probability of each unit of the target population to become a sample. If we wanted to go for probability sampling, then it was recommended that we collect the complete list of 3G users which was not possible for the first time researchers like us. That’s why we chose non probability sampling. Non-probability sampling is a technique in which units of the sample are selected on the basis of personal judgment or convenience. There are several procedures under non-probability sampling, these are: convenience sampling, judgment sampling, quota sampling and snow ball sampling. For our survey, we chose snowball sampling because in case of convenience sampling or judgment sampling somehow we are bias as there we are concentrating on our convenience or using our personal judgment strongly. So, it may derive us from main research focus and as a result true findings may not come. In snowball sampling, initial respondents are selected by simple random sampling and then the rest of the respondents are selected from the referral given by the initial respondents. Snowball sampling is very effective when its tough to identify that who are included in our target population, as our situation was same so we used this method.

2.3 Sample size and its Allocation

We decided our sample size as 100. We decided to pick 100 respondents because we wanted a reliable result for our survey thus we can get quite accurate conclusion. If the sample size is large then chance of getting accurate information is also high but it was also not possible for us to conduct such a huge survey because of limited manpower, resources and time. So by choosing 100 sampling size we are at a medium level and at a situation to reach almost the actual condition. Yes, statistics can never bring the exact result rather it’s estimation but the estimation should be in such way thus it can touch the reality closely.

2.5 Instruments

The data collection instrument for our survey was questionnaire. There are several instruments like discussion point, checklist and observation point but we chose questionnaire as our research was conducted through surveys. Here we made our questionnaire with a combination of close ended, structured and few open ended questions. We made our questionnaire by following the questionnaire making guidelines like we tried to avoid biasness, tried to avoid double barrel questions, burden some questions and sensitive questions. We kept the language of the questionnaire simple and understandable thus respondents can answer freely. Before finalizing the questions we conducted a pilot survey to check that respondents will be able to answer properly or not.

2.6 Enumerators

As we had time constraint and budget deficiencies so we decided to collect data by ourselves so we group members acted as enumerators. We were 6 members, each of us conducted 15 surveys and rests of the 10 responses were collected through online survey. In the appendix we have enclosed the questionnaire. Before conducting the survey, we took a brief knowledge about how data can be collected effectively and also how to get proper response from the respondents. We took the briefing because training can reduce non sampling error. There were not trainers but our respected faculty taught us the guidelines and we followed that.

2.7 Implementation

Data Collection

Now it was the time that we collect the data physically. While collecting the data we followed the stages of fieldwork. The stages were :

a) Initial Contact – here we started our survey at a positive and friendly note thus we can gain good response and we were successful at this.

b) Asking questions- Here we asked questions in such way that the respondents understand those clearly, if needed we repeated the questions.

c) Probing- When we were unable to capture complete and logical answers or the respondents were distracted then we used probing to keep them focused on the survey.

d) Recording- As the questionnaire had enough spaces to capture the answers so we had no problems to record the responses properly.

e) Terminating the interview- We were not in the hurry to finish the survey, we gave our dear respondents enough time to fill up the questionnaire comfortably and properly. Then after their finishing, we thanked them for their co-operation ended the interview on a positive note thus in future if needed we can get their co-operation again.

Data Analysis

Here we followed the stages of data analysis. Firstly the filled in questionnaires were registered thus in case of editing no confusion arises. Then the editing was done. We did both the field editing and in house editing. Then we also did coding in order to interpret the responses and to transfer them into the computer storage. After these interpretation was made.

Interpretation of Data

Frequency Analysis

|Table 1: Gender |
| |Frequency |Percent |Valid Percent |Cumulative Percent |
|Valid |
| |Frequency |Percent |Valid Percent |Cumulative Percent |
|Valid |
| |Frequency |Percent |Valid Percent |Cumulative Percent |
|Valid |
| |Frequency |Percent |Valid Percent |Cumulative Percent |
|Valid |
| |Frequency |Percent |Valid Percent |Cumulative Percent |
|Valid |
| |Frequency |Percent |Valid Percent |Cumulative Percent |
|Valid |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |N |Minimum |Maximum |Mean |Std. Deviation |
|3G has made our | | | | | |
|communication system | | | | | |
|easier. | | | | | |
|3G helps us to gain more | | | | | |
|knowledge. | | | | | |
|3G has made our life | | | | | |
|easier and faster. | | | | | |
|3G has made our life style| | | | | |
|comfortable and exciting. | | | | | |
|3G can help us in our | | | | | |
|professional life. | | | | | |
|3G can help to improve our| | | | | |
|security system. | | | | | |
|3G has improved our media | | | | | |
|sector. | | | | | |
|3G can help to conduct | | | | | |
|business. | | | | | |
|3G can develop our IT | | | | | |
|sector. | | | | | |
|3G can help us to improve | | | | | |
|our GDP. | | | | | |
|3G has hampered our | | | | | |
|privacy. | | | | | |
|3G technology has | | | | | |
|increased our daily | | | | | |
|expenses. | | | | | |
|Students being more | | | | | |
|engaged with 3G rather | | | | | |
|than studying | | | | | |
|3G technology uses | | | | | |
|electromagnetic waves ; it| | | | | |
|is harmful for health. | | | | | |
|3G technologies have some | | | | | |
|negative effects in our | | | | | |
|society. | | | | | |
|3G technology has | | | | | |
|increased the prices of | | | | | |
|cell-phones. | | | | | |
|3G technology can help to | | | | | |
|reduce corruption from our| | | | | |
|politics. | | | | | |

1. What is your general opinion regarding 3G technology?

2. Is it really helpful for us and for the development of the nation?

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Figure 1: Gender

Figure 2: Education

Figure 3: Age

Figure 4: Profession

Figure 5: Marital Status

Figure 6: Location of Stay