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GSM or CDMA Cell service?
- Thread starter Kristi2k
- Start date
vshah
Lifer
in America, the cell system started out on tdma/cdma, so the gsm infrastructure is nowhere near as complete as in Europe or Asia. This is why tdma/cdma phones get much better reception in the US. go to asia, and even in underdeveloped countries, you'll see amazing reception with GSM phones.
GSM has more nifty features, but as others have noted, the reception is not as good as CDMA. in my experience, in and around major cities, that difference isn't much, but way out somewhere, the GSM might get less reception.
-Vivan
GSM has more nifty features, but as others have noted, the reception is not as good as CDMA. in my experience, in and around major cities, that difference isn't much, but way out somewhere, the GSM might get less reception.
-Vivan
NutBucket
Lifer
To be honest, for most people GSM vs. CDMA isn't a huge issue. I like CDMA because I have fallback onto analog networks when I'm really out in the middle of nowhere. I also like the coverage I have (between Verizon and Sprint's networks there aren't any issues making calls). Finally, CDMA has higher data rates then their GSM counterparts.
That said, GSM tends to have a larger selection of phones and the SIM cards are rather nice. Also, if you have a tri-band or world phone you'll easily be able to use your GSM handset overseas. Though, I read that Samsung is coming out with a phone that is native CDMA but will operate on GSM networks.
That said, GSM tends to have a larger selection of phones and the SIM cards are rather nice. Also, if you have a tri-band or world phone you'll easily be able to use your GSM handset overseas. Though, I read that Samsung is coming out with a phone that is native CDMA but will operate on GSM networks.
slightly off topic, in terms of cdma, i have a tri-mode vx4400, my brother has the sanyo (dont remember the model) that is dual-mode digital only. He and i will be in the same location and he will have a much stronger digital signal than I will with my tri-mode. Are dual-modes more sensitive than their tri-mode counterparts?
Basically what they ^^^ all said.
If you want to be futureproof, go with GSM. Thats why they're putting all the nice features on GSM, they're trying to move the customer base over. I've noticed no signifigant difference in reception on GSM, except that my TDMA phone worked better in my computer room.
If you want to be futureproof, go with GSM. Thats why they're putting all the nice features on GSM, they're trying to move the customer base over. I've noticed no signifigant difference in reception on GSM, except that my TDMA phone worked better in my computer room.
NutBucket
Lifer
anxi80: Yes, that's the phone I was thinking of.
beatmix01: Dual mode simply means his phone only operates on 1900 CDMA (SPCS) and 800 analog. Your tri-mode phone operates on 800 (VZW) and 1900 CDMA and 800 analog. All it means is that the Spring signal is better then the Verizon signal at that location. Also, be aware that some of the Sanyo phones have inflated signal strength displays. I think they've adjusted them back to being on par with other phones in the newer phones, however.
beatmix01: Dual mode simply means his phone only operates on 1900 CDMA (SPCS) and 800 analog. Your tri-mode phone operates on 800 (VZW) and 1900 CDMA and 800 analog. All it means is that the Spring signal is better then the Verizon signal at that location. Also, be aware that some of the Sanyo phones have inflated signal strength displays. I think they've adjusted them back to being on par with other phones in the newer phones, however.
gsaldivar
Diamond Member
I can confirm that this is very true in Baja California (Mexico) - GSM reception there is spectacular. RF restrictions there aren't as stringent as they are here in the US, so you find a fewer number but much more powerful transmitters than we use here in the US.
Interchangable SIMs are also very useful when traveling. Major GSM networks in the US allow you to place and receive calls from your own phone number while abroad, but charge high rates ($0.75-1.50 a minute) to do so.
The ability to replace your SIM card with a localized one means that you can enjoy the same low local rates by picking up prepaid SIM Cards along your way... anytime you want to check your US voicemail, etc - simply pop in your old US SIM card, and you'll have full access to the US network anytime you want, all without the hassle of renting/purchasing a separate handset. 🙂
You can keep your phonebook on the SIM Card as well, which means if you ever upgrade your phone, or damage the old one - your phone numbers can be easily transferred from phone to phone by swapping SIM cards.
Basically, your phonebook & network subscription follows your SIM Card - and can be used with any GSM phone you want.
Everyone has already said everything there needs to be about voice service.
My 2c about data service:
GMS data service sucks @ss. If you want the most reliable data-service, go with Sprint CDMA. Naturally, this is offset by their pathetic coverage and horrible billing, but that's another story.
Verizon's coverage (CDMA) is excellent, but their data network is very poorly designed. They are purposely obstructing developments on their data side, so you can fall behind on cool features, while everyone else will be using them.
T-mobile is the worst GSM provider - they have outages almost every single day, their tech. personnel is not adequately qualified, they often do not have ETAs for fixing things, you name it.
AT&T GSM data service is not bad, but inferior to Sprint - they tend to have outages, but they also patch things quickly.
Cingular is a somewhat stable GSM provider, but will be soon merged with AT&T into one giant monster. I have yet to see how this will affect their quality.
My 2c about data service:
GMS data service sucks @ss. If you want the most reliable data-service, go with Sprint CDMA. Naturally, this is offset by their pathetic coverage and horrible billing, but that's another story.
Verizon's coverage (CDMA) is excellent, but their data network is very poorly designed. They are purposely obstructing developments on their data side, so you can fall behind on cool features, while everyone else will be using them.
T-mobile is the worst GSM provider - they have outages almost every single day, their tech. personnel is not adequately qualified, they often do not have ETAs for fixing things, you name it.
AT&T GSM data service is not bad, but inferior to Sprint - they tend to have outages, but they also patch things quickly.
Cingular is a somewhat stable GSM provider, but will be soon merged with AT&T into one giant monster. I have yet to see how this will affect their quality.
brtspears2
Diamond Member
I use GSM only because I find that CDMA carriers and their phones look bleh. But then So. Cal with Cingular/T-mobile has been perfect for me, except in the mountains. But then if you are going to the mountains to get away from it, who needs cell service.
Well, let me see, in the past month we had a total of oh, 7 issues with T-mobile - everything from GPRS to SMS to tower outages. Most of the issues had no ETA, some span for more than half a day, some carried into the next day.
I can't provide you with more data, 'cause it's been archived.
Over the same period of time Cingular had 2 issues
Verizon had none, Sprint had 1
