subject: Cdma Vs Gsm Cell Phones - Which Technology Should You Opt For? [print this page] If you are looking for a new mobile phone carrier, then it is important for you to understand both GSM and CDMA technologies, before zeroing on one. CDMA or Code Division Multiple Access is a digital technology, which uses spread spectrum techniques while GSM or Global System for Mobile communications is a digital technology, which assigns fixed frequency on the network. This means that CDMA phones support signals from a single cell phone service carrier while you can insert a SIM card from any carrier in a GSM cell phone.
A CDMA phone is physically keyed to a single number and you cannot change your number even if you want to. This means that your cell phone will not work with any other number and you will not be able to join any other carrier network as well.
On the other hand, GSM is the most widely used mobile technology across the globe. What makes this technology at par with international standards is the fact that it used in more than 277 different countries across the globe. But with CDMA, you will remain limited to US and only a few countries in Asia. Furthermore, you can transfer more data from a GSM carrier than that of a CDM carrier. If that's not all, fraud prevention and roaming readiness are two other major advantages that you gain out of the GSM technology.
But when you decide to purchase a GSM phone, you must keep in mind that there are several network carriers that offer free handsets with their service, and charge only for their number. Mostly, these handsets are of low quality and do not meet the expectations of those who desire a high tech cell phone to meet their personal as well as their business requirements.
Now that you are aware of the major advantages and disadvantages of both the technologies, it will be easier for you to decide whether you want to purchase a CDMA or a GSM handset. But in more ways than one, a GSM carrier offers better functionalities to those who are constantly on the move.
