GSM is a cellular technology that originates from Europe. GSM stands for GLOBAL SYSTEM for MOBILE communication. This techonology is used throughout
Europe, most of Asia, and parts of North and South America.
In the Philippines
most cellular phone provider like Sun Cellular, Globe Handyphone, Smart, and
Islacom(now Innove Communications) all uses GSM technology to provide service
nationwide.
Here in the U.S., GSM is rapidly gaining momentum. Cingular
and T-Mobile
Networks are the leading provider of GSM phones. GSM network supports voice,
data, text messaging and cross-border roaming. It is now one of the world's main
2G digital wireless standard. GSM is present in more than 160 countries and
according to the GSM Association, accounts for approximately 70 percent of the
total digital cellular wireless market. GSM is a time division multiplex (TDM)
system. Implemented on 800, 900, 1800 and 1900 MHz frequency bands.
Today,
there are two major techonology competing in the mobile world GSM and CDMA
technology. CDMA stands for Code Division
Multiple Access, the second type of digital cellular system to be deployed in
the United States, and according to TeleSat.ca CDMA is an access technique in
which every earth station may transmit at the same frequency and at the same
time, but only at a given, limited power level. This technique requires that
each earth station use a unique identifying code, which is modulated with the
communications signal. CDMA is the access technique used with spread-spectrum
data distribution and some VSAT and mobile satellite systems. In the U.S the
leading cellular provider that uses CDMA are Verizon
Wireless and SprintPCS.
GSM operates in the 900 MHz band (890 MHz - 960 MHz) in
Europe and Asia and in the 1900 MHz band in the United States. Main difference between GSM and
CDMA is GSM is already a global standard, whereas CDMA is a patented
celluar technology. Meaning you must pay a royalty for using CDMA! Also GSM
covers the entire Europe , Asia except Korea,
Africa and Middle East. If you are a GSM
subscriber you can use your gsm phone in most part of the world while roaming.
And if you have an unlock multiple band phone, you can just purchase a new
simcard and switch it to the one that you are using without having to change
phone.
The Facts: The GSM user community is way larger than CDMA,
and if you are a GSM user you are a part of the largest mobile community
worldwide. GSM made text messaging popular and GSM phones are very popular and
feature rich when compare to CDMA phones. The one thing I like about GSM
handsets is, you can easily switch phone just by inserting your SIM card to the
new phone. No need to change number or no need to add a new number.
To Be Continued….
On our next installment, more on GSM vs. CDMA and we will
give you a list of cellular phone provider in the U.S and in the Philippines
that uses GSM and CDMA technolgies.
