Aldain Reid, Contributor

There has been mixed feedback to my last article, 'Why we love the BlackBerry'. Majority of readers concurred with my views, but the more strident comments came from avid i-Phone users who were of the opinion that that device has more to offer to entrepreneurs and its business community in general.

As Jamaica is soon to take the mobile experience to the next level with the roll-out of third generation (3G) technology, here is an insight into what benefits it can bring to the business.

FUTURE OF MOBILE PLATFORM IN BUSINESS

Third generation wireless technology is widely heralded as the future of mobility in business, due to its ability to overcome issues associated with data transfer on mobile devices, most notably slow data, connection speeds and multimedia's reputation of hogging bandwidth.

Second generation wireless or 2G, saw the transition from analogue cellular telephony to digital. 3G offers vast improvements to the mobile experience, particularly through wireless data speed that rivals broadband Internet connection in the office.

BENEFITS TO BUSINESS

The end-user benefits of third generation mobile technology are numerous. From faster mobile Internet browsing, to speedier downloads, to live data streaming, 3G has the potential to provide a myriad of benefits to the entrepreneur on the go.

The entrepreneurs are upbeat, David Mullings of Realvibezmedia.com believes that 3G technology will transform the local business landscape. "For entrepreneurs like myself who travel frequently, 3G will be an absolute blessing," Mullings said.

In an increasingly hypercompetitive business environment, more efficient connectivity means increased productivity. And this is good news for local entrepreneurs.

Other business services which are available on the 3G network are video conferencing, real-time content aggregation, stock transactions, e-learning and telemedicine. This opens the possibility for businessmen and women to travel from point to point taking with them their technology tools and applications.

WHO NEEDS 3G?

It may take some convincing as to the value that 3G will bring with respect to enhanced productivity in the Jamaican business environment. Staying connected at all times is critical to any business these days.

For some, wireless voice connectivity is sufficient. For the BlackBerry diehards, data connectivity via email is fine. However, if you are an entrepreneurial road warrior who needs to access large amounts of data at high speeds on the go, then 3G may be just what you are looking for.

MATTER OF CHOICE

Whether you consider 3G as a solution for your business will ultimately be your call. But it's on its way and is promising to transform the way business is done in Jamaica.

The recent news of Jamaica's upcoming launch of Apple's 3G iPhone has generated much excitement among tech enthusiasts who are waiting with bated breath. But it is still early days yet, as much of the 3G story will unfold with time.

Aldain Reid is a serial entrepreneur and is currently serving as the president of the Young Entrepreneurs' Association of Jamaica. He may be contacted via his entrepreneurship blog at www.aldainreid.com.

The 3G i-Phone.