A 3G forum is an online community devoted to informing users about 3G wireless connectivity. In a 3G forum, a user can ask and answer questions about 3G phones, 3G Internet, 3G service and other related issues. These communities encourage peer-to-peer discussion and often rely on the contributions of unpaid, independent members to keep the 3G forum active and a valuable source of information about 3G.
A 3G forum can be hosted by anyone, but the three most popular hosts are manufacturers of 3G products or services, review websites, and independent users. Each of these hosts have their advantages and disadvantages. It's important for anyone who is looking for a 3G forum to be aware of these pros and cons before deciding on a source from which to pull information.
Manufacturers of 3G products and services usually have their own built-in 3G forum on their company websites. These forums are usually offered as a means of technical support. An advantage of viewing these 3G forums is that they often have technical information and official updates readily available. Users are also likely to have their questions answered by a member of a technical support team. A disadvantage of using a forum like this is that it may be difficult to have an issue resolved, since users and forum moderators are invited to join conversations and offer advice which may lead to conflicting information.
Technological gadget review websites may also host their own 3G forum. Websites devoted to technological gadget reviews are often run and visited by people who are very well-informed about product and service issues. An advantage of visiting a review website's forum is that users may come across unofficial tips and tricks and get suggestions for better products. However, it's important to note that review websites are not above the influence of shills. It's not uncommon for popular websites to be paid by manufacturers or service providers to post favorable reviews for a product or service.
Independent, user-run forums can be a good source of information, too. User-to-user advice is often the most valuable and honest information source, since information and advice comes from actual owners of the products. Unofficial tips and tricks are also available on forums like these. However, if the forum is popular, users may have to wade through several advertisements for other products before they get to valuable information. Advertisements may be contained as part of the hosting website or may be disguised as forum posts.
