Mobile gaming is a huge business, but the gaming giants have scored relatively few big hits on 3G networks, even though such networks seem to be the perfect place for gamers and a killer business for carriers.

What's the holdup? Several things, actually. According to experts at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), fault can be found with the slow rollout of 3G networks, poor marketing, handset limitations, and the carriers themselves, which apparently haven't perfected their plans to cash in on multiplayer mobile games.

First, there's the services issue. Julie Ask, a wireless analyst for JupiterResearch , pointed out that Sprint Wireless (NYSE: PCS - message board) and Verizon Wireless can reach about half the U.S. population — 150 million potential subscribers — with 3G service, and Cingular Wireless LLC could reach another 50 million. But getting people to use the service has been a struggle, with only 1 or 2 million subscribers signed up, she said.

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