3G stands for 3rd generation and it is referring to the newer, faster, broadband-speed data transfer. Prior to 3G, GSM networks like AT&T and T-mobile used a network called EDGE (I know for sure on AT&T and I’m pretty sure for T-mobile), which ran at about the speed of dial-up. 3G is the wireless industry’s answer to DSL or cable speed internet access.
phew