3G Vs. Wi-Fi for Speed
Consumers of smartphones and laptops have two main options for wireless data transfer -- 3G and WiFi. High-end products tend to have both standards, but buyers on a budget often have to choose between them.
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WiFi
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WiFi is by a long distance the faster of the two. The 802.11g standard has a theoretical net maximum speed of 54 megabytes per second (Mbps), while the 2009 802.11n standard is significantly faster at 600 Mbps.
3G
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The Third Generation (3G) protocol has been available in the U.S. since 2007. Transfer speeds vary based on device and whether the device is stationary. The absolute maximum is 2.05 Mbps, while a handset in a fast moving vehicle would maximally expect 128 kilobytes per second (Kbps).
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Other Considerations
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Devices equipped only with WiFi have the advantage of high-speed connections, but they lack the ability to connect when away from an open network. Also, network owners may charge for connection. Conversely, 3G-only devices cover much wider areas, but the connection speed is considerably lower.
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References
- Photo Credit wifi access image by Jerome Dancette from Fotolia.com
