Is GSM better than CDMA?
Does anyone know if GSM is better than CDMA?
What are the advantages, if any, of GSM. Is the call clarity or signal reliability better, or does the signal have a farther range? I know is Europe, they use GSM, but in the US, mostly CDMA. I know AT&T is switching to GSM.
Has anyone tried both? Was there a noticeable difference? Just curious.
What are the advantages, if any, of GSM. Is the call clarity or signal reliability better, or does the signal have a farther range? I know is Europe, they use GSM, but in the US, mostly CDMA. I know AT&T is switching to GSM.
Has anyone tried both? Was there a noticeable difference? Just curious.
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Ok. This is a loaded question.
To be honest NEITHER network is better at this current time. We'll be seeing arguements from both camps in this thread.
CDMA - gives excellent call clarity, great battery life, most secure calls, very strong signal
GSM - SIM card network, very big for business, nice clear calls, good wireless networking standard (see starbucks and wi-fi)
That is only some of the benefits. In all honesty the CDMA service is better IMHO. I've never been a big fan of sim cards. You lose your sim you lose your entire account.
AGAIN that is just my opinion and everyone has one.
Also with WCDMA/UTMS coming out.. Who knows exactly what is better? Go with the carrier that best suits your needs such as coverage map, feat...
(continues)
To be honest NEITHER network is better at this current time. We'll be seeing arguements from both camps in this thread.
CDMA - gives excellent call clarity, great battery life, most secure calls, very strong signal
GSM - SIM card network, very big for business, nice clear calls, good wireless networking standard (see starbucks and wi-fi)
That is only some of the benefits. In all honesty the CDMA service is better IMHO. I've never been a big fan of sim cards. You lose your sim you lose your entire account.
AGAIN that is just my opinion and everyone has one.
Also with WCDMA/UTMS coming out.. Who knows exactly what is better? Go with the carrier that best suits your needs such as coverage map, feat...
(continues)
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good point don't start a flame war!!!!
they both have advantages and disadvantages.
gsm- sim card( easy to switch phones) as of right now a good consensus would say more hi tech phones.
cdma- good call quality, back system(analog)
its like a luxury sedan compared to the nicest truck on the market. the both have there place and they do different things. you just have to figure out whats right for you.
they both have advantages and disadvantages.
gsm- sim card( easy to switch phones) as of right now a good consensus would say more hi tech phones.
cdma- good call quality, back system(analog)
its like a luxury sedan compared to the nicest truck on the market. the both have there place and they do different things. you just have to figure out whats right for you.
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AS WELL, when you lose your SIM, you don't lose your account! 😛 Just any numbers stored ON the SIM (which you can store on the phone too, and save them to the sim if needed to transfer phones anyway).
I agree, CDMA has better coverage (right now), good service. GSM has alot of funky features, good call quality and service, dynamic features.. if you want functionality go CDMA, style go GSM. 😛
I agree, CDMA has better coverage (right now), good service. GSM has alot of funky features, good call quality and service, dynamic features.. if you want functionality go CDMA, style go GSM. 😛
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heh, i've got to disagree on one thing, coverage.
if your really want the same coverage with gsm as cdma, get a gait phone that way you too can roam on analog like what vzw uses to get their large coverage area.
if your really want the same coverage with gsm as cdma, get a gait phone that way you too can roam on analog like what vzw uses to get their large coverage area.
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Please keep in mind that the VZW analog service DOES NOT roam MW2.
VZW includes analog in the areas where people do not live or are sparsely populated.. ex: Maine, northwest New Hampshire, central Lousianna, etc..
The only thing you pay for is long distance charges. That's it... Unlike analog service on other carriers that charge roaming AND long distance... We won't name any names so we can keep the flame war out.
VZW does have roaming just it's very hard to do. 🙂
BESIDES if you don't want roaming of any type you can turn that feature off in practically any phone under the network settings.
Also VZW large DIGITAL coverage area is close to twice any other carrier other than Cingular.(see the word CLOSE.. not IS)
VZW includes analog in the areas where people do not live or are sparsely populated.. ex: Maine, northwest New Hampshire, central Lousianna, etc..
The only thing you pay for is long distance charges. That's it... Unlike analog service on other carriers that charge roaming AND long distance... We won't name any names so we can keep the flame war out.
VZW does have roaming just it's very hard to do. 🙂
BESIDES if you don't want roaming of any type you can turn that feature off in practically any phone under the network settings.
Also VZW large DIGITAL coverage area is close to twice any other carrier other than Cingular.(see the word CLOSE.. not IS)
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I use VZN in the US and GSM (T-Mobile) a bit in the US and lots overseas.
If you want a true worldphone, there is only one choice, GSM. Otherwise my experience is they are both about the same as far as quality of voice use is concerned. Someone mentioned more style with GSM and that is true (due to the phone offerings).
Someone mentioned you're screwed if you lose your SIM card. Don't know about that but if you are taking your card out of your phone for some reason, then you have a bigger problem than what service to use. Not necessary unless you are switching between phones or for some reason switching carriers. At this point I'd look pretty hard at why you need to do this and buy accordingly.
The real way to go is who offers ...
(continues)
If you want a true worldphone, there is only one choice, GSM. Otherwise my experience is they are both about the same as far as quality of voice use is concerned. Someone mentioned more style with GSM and that is true (due to the phone offerings).
Someone mentioned you're screwed if you lose your SIM card. Don't know about that but if you are taking your card out of your phone for some reason, then you have a bigger problem than what service to use. Not necessary unless you are switching between phones or for some reason switching carriers. At this point I'd look pretty hard at why you need to do this and buy accordingly.
The real way to go is who offers ...
(continues)
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WRONG. There is MORE TDMA digital coverage in the U.S then there is CDMA service. Verizon uses extensive AMPS networks to beef their network up to look decent, which in fact its only above average.
No other provider charges for using their OWN AMPS networks at all, only if its someone elses AMPS network. Silly. 😛
No other provider charges for using their OWN AMPS networks at all, only if its someone elses AMPS network. Silly. 😛
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moobak said:
WRONG. There is MORE TDMA digital coverage in the U.S then there is CDMA service.
Keep in mind the topic of this post is .. Is GSM better than CDMA.
TDMA is not an option in this post. Please read the first post that started the topic. Thank you have a nice day 🙂
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actually from everything i've heard/seen/read/blah blah, vzw true digital coverage is pretty small, hence the poking @ roaming on analog reference (i don't know nor care if vzw charges for using analog, i'd imagine that if it was their own analog towers they probably wouldn't charge).
and again my point was that if someone wanted to get about the same coverage area with gsm as vzw then they can get a gait phone.
and again my point was that if someone wanted to get about the same coverage area with gsm as vzw then they can get a gait phone.
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GSM does have some advantages:
SIM cards are a big one - you can switch phones in seconds, even several times a day.
World phones are another big one. Verizon will release their first two world phones later this year, but there will always be a lot more GSM world phones to choose from, and they will always be much cheaper.
And because of the two points above, you can always import GSM world phones and use them here, at least with T-Mobile. That gives you a huge selection of cutting-edge phones to choose from, without waiting for carriers to offer them here.
And then of course there are lots more GSM Bluetooth phones.
And finally, I've always noticed slightly better sound quality with GSM. That's just my personal experience, th...
(continues)
SIM cards are a big one - you can switch phones in seconds, even several times a day.
World phones are another big one. Verizon will release their first two world phones later this year, but there will always be a lot more GSM world phones to choose from, and they will always be much cheaper.
And because of the two points above, you can always import GSM world phones and use them here, at least with T-Mobile. That gives you a huge selection of cutting-edge phones to choose from, without waiting for carriers to offer them here.
And then of course there are lots more GSM Bluetooth phones.
And finally, I've always noticed slightly better sound quality with GSM. That's just my personal experience, th...
(continues)
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though you did forget to mention one major problem for the carrier's when it comes to cdma:
the licensing fee to qualcomm for each phone and service.
and that of course they pass on to the customer.
the licensing fee to qualcomm for each phone and service.
and that of course they pass on to the customer.
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Thanks Rich, that was a very nice way to explain the GSM vs CDMA. BTW, what phone and service do you carry?
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I'd agree w/ all the arguments laid out here, but since the majority of us don't travel overseas often, the majority of the pluses of GSM are negated. Having used both GSM and CDMA carriers, I'd have to say CDMA coverage, voice quality, and phone battery life are generally better. While you can get cooler phones w/ GSM and the SIM is a big plus, unlocked phones - the latest & greatest that ostenstibly you'd want to buy - are generally really expensive (i.e. $500+ for the Mot V600). I have actually found it more palatable to buy an inexpensive unlocked GMS triband here, pop in a prepaid SIM I buy from Orange, etc when I land in Europe, and use that. Yeah, this means your # doesn't travel with you, but for me, that's sometimes a plus.
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I am sure most of you already know of this program, but if not here is the link:
http://www.vzwrentinternational.com/ »
VZW has a rental phone program for when you travel abroad, the phone is send via FedEx to you before you leave for your trip. It is only $2.99 a day plus airtime to rent the phone, if you travel alot you can get a GSM phone at a discounted $149 w/ 1 yr agreement.
All of your VZW calls are forwarded to your traveling handset as well.
Personally if you are taking a trip this sounds like a good option, you can have a rental phone, and get insurance, and not have to worry about losing your own.
http://www.vzwrentinternational.com/ »
VZW has a rental phone program for when you travel abroad, the phone is send via FedEx to you before you leave for your trip. It is only $2.99 a day plus airtime to rent the phone, if you travel alot you can get a GSM phone at a discounted $149 w/ 1 yr agreement.
All of your VZW calls are forwarded to your traveling handset as well.
Personally if you are taking a trip this sounds like a good option, you can have a rental phone, and get insurance, and not have to worry about losing your own.
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