Techs & Trends
WCDMA vs. CDMA
Okay, so someone asked the question below in the Phone Scoop forum, but the answer belongs here... so here goes:
The short answer is: WCDMA is a whole new digital wireless technology. It has a little in common with GSM at certain levels, but not much. Likewise, it has a little in common wit...
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gangrelated said:
could you please explain the difference between cdma and wcdma. its an ongoing argument in several forums. it is my understanding that the two are similar. however wcdma is an actual 3g format, whereas cdma is actually a 2.5g format. people seem to think that because verizon currenty usses cdma that they can do a simple upgrade to wcdma. if you wouldnt mind a clarification on this would appreciated.
The short answer is: WCDMA is a whole new digital wireless technology. It has a little in common with GSM at certain levels, but not much. Likewise, it has a little in common wit...
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We will look forward to that article. Isn't WCDMA an air interface for a GSM carrier? This is called UMTS right? Thanks
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WCDMA is the 3G technology that most GSM carriers are moving to (or planning to, eventually).
But saying it's just "a new air interface" or worse, just "an upgrade" to GSM, is an understatement. It's different enough from GSM that "upgrading" to WCDMA essentially means building a whole new network - almost from scratch.
And yes, "UMTS" and "WCDMA" are used interchangeably.
But saying it's just "a new air interface" or worse, just "an upgrade" to GSM, is an understatement. It's different enough from GSM that "upgrading" to WCDMA essentially means building a whole new network - almost from scratch.
And yes, "UMTS" and "WCDMA" are used interchangeably.
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I find it just SLIGHTLY bizzare that GSM providers chose to go GSM BEFORE WCDMA, unless there is some nessessity between the two?
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No, WCDMA technically does not require GSM. The overseas carrier "3" operates WCDMA-only networks in several countries around the world.
However, WCDMA is not necessarily a replacement for GSM. It can be, (sort of,) but that's not what most carriers are doing. Most carriers - in Europe and around the world - are only deploying WCDMA in major urban and suburban areas. It's being used to augment GSM, not replace it.
Most GSM/WCDMA carriers worldwide will continue to rely on GSM for complete/rural voice coverage for the foreseeable future.
Even 3 relies on GSM roaming agreements to provide good voice coverage.
There are a lot of reasons the old U.S. TDMA carriers didn't jump straight to WCDMA. Here are a few:
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However, WCDMA is not necessarily a replacement for GSM. It can be, (sort of,) but that's not what most carriers are doing. Most carriers - in Europe and around the world - are only deploying WCDMA in major urban and suburban areas. It's being used to augment GSM, not replace it.
Most GSM/WCDMA carriers worldwide will continue to rely on GSM for complete/rural voice coverage for the foreseeable future.
Even 3 relies on GSM roaming agreements to provide good voice coverage.
There are a lot of reasons the old U.S. TDMA carriers didn't jump straight to WCDMA. Here are a few:
- WCDMA was and is
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