Aug 17, 2003 07:03 PM
17522 Views
(Updated Dec 18, 2003 05:23 PM)
What are the major differences between CDMA and GSM?
Both are different and competing standards. CDMA is more popular in USA. GSM is a European standard. GSM is based on TDMA.
CDMA phones are internally coded with Service Provider information and Phone Number. GSM phones use SIM Cards.
You can change the SIM card of GSM instrument, and move over to another service providers. At times, the GSM phones are SIM-Locked (programmed to work with a particular provider only), but they can be unlocked with some trickery (Ask your friendly GSM Phone Dealer)
CDMA phones are bound to the service providers, which means if you want to change your service provider, you have to throw away your phone.
- CDMA technology has better utilization of available bandwidth. That allows more calls to be carried with same infrastructure. That also brings costs down.
Now, w.r.t. India, what do I choose?
Very Simple:
- Do you do roaming? within Country, off the roads (which means if you are travelling from Mumbai to Pune, do you need connectivity in between?)
This is provided only by GSM right now. It is not that CDMA can not provide it. But the network is not in place yet. So go for GSM in that case. If are you are kind of a person who sticks to cities, CDMA can do (look for a CDMA provider that provides Roaming)
- Do you do international travel to Europe, south east Asia or for that matter even to US? do you want your phone to work every where?
You have only one choice.. Go for GSM. Yes, in US, T-Mobile and Cingular provide GSM service. Entire Europe and SouthEast Asia, you can use your GSM phone (Orange is almost everywhere, plus there are Hazaar local companies). just activate international roaming or take a local prepaid card. CDMA is not used in Europe as of now.
- are you a person who keeps changing a phone instrument every now and then? with newer technology?
Stick to GSM. Upgrading a CDMA instrument means throw the old one. GSM you can still sell the old handset or give it to someone.
I have used CDMA and GSM both. Within India, CDMA is still raw and new. Now they have started Roaming (Thanks to Goburment's Reliance-Friendly policy).
so I am sticking to GSM right now. Will keep looking at development on CDMA front.
What should you do?
Lobby Hard. Lobby Hard to bring Airtime lower. Lobby to make calls completely free within same provider. (e.g. Airtel to Airtel, Reliance to Reliance).
Spread the good word.
