Techs & Trends
New CDMA/GSM phones coming out??
I read on this board that there will possibly be a new CDMA/GSM phone coming out this year that would accommodate both platforms. Anyone know what this is all about??
I am currently with Cingular/TDMA and am considering a new phone. I am considering staying with Cingular and pursuing the GSM route or going with Verizon Wireless/CDMA. The GSM v. CDMA posts have been very helpful, but there are many areas in the US that may not be adequately covered by GSM in a "reasonable" amount of time. (hence: no service in those areas)
I am currently with Cingular/TDMA and am considering a new phone. I am considering staying with Cingular and pursuing the GSM route or going with Verizon Wireless/CDMA. The GSM v. CDMA posts have been very helpful, but there are many areas in the US that may not be adequately covered by GSM in a "reasonable" amount of time. (hence: no service in those areas)
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Yes, Verizon will be offering the Samsung SCH-A790 later this year. However, it will not function on U.S. GSM networks - only overseas. It's designed strictly to be a "world phone" option for Verizon customers.
The SCH-A790 will only support European frequencies in GSM mode. Even if it did support U.S. frequencies, Verizon doesn't have any domestic GSM roaming agreements, so it would be a moot point.
Not that it's a major issue - Verizon's CDMA coverage is much larger than most current GSM networks, so not being able to use GSM in the U.S. shouldn't be an issue for most people.
However, with the pending merger of AT&T and Cingular, the resulting Cingular will have great GSM coverage about a year from now...
But if you can't wait ...
(continues)
The SCH-A790 will only support European frequencies in GSM mode. Even if it did support U.S. frequencies, Verizon doesn't have any domestic GSM roaming agreements, so it would be a moot point.
Not that it's a major issue - Verizon's CDMA coverage is much larger than most current GSM networks, so not being able to use GSM in the U.S. shouldn't be an issue for most people.
However, with the pending merger of AT&T and Cingular, the resulting Cingular will have great GSM coverage about a year from now...
But if you can't wait ...
(continues)
...
I should add that Motorola just announced the A840 - another GSM/CDMA phone coming out. It's a bit better than the A790 in a few ways, such as having a megapixel camera. The A840 also has GPRS, so you can use data overseas; the A790 is voice-only in GSM mode.
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