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07-18-2002, 10:42 AM

I use a dual-band phone on Sprint PCS, so I can switch over to analog from CDMA if I have to. I noticed that almost none of the GSM phones available on other carriers have the ability to switch to analog. So if your car breaks down way out in the sticks, you're not going to be able to use your GSM phone to call for help. How come GSM cell phone makers don't allow the phone to roam on analog unlike CDMA & TDMA phones?

bobolito · 07-18-2002, 11:13 AM

I guess it's too expensive to implement because GSM carriers don't support analog by design. CDMA and TDMA carriers were analog carriers at some point so they already have both networks. Voicestream used to offer some GSM/analog phones but they stopped. Cingular took the initiative to implement something similar: GAIT technology. This new technology will allow users to get seamless coverage from either GSM, TDMA or Analog systems. AT&T is coming out with new phones that will work on both GSM and TDMA and although they do not use GAIT technology or analog, it will let GSM users expand coverage a great deal. I don't know what Voicestream is cooking in this aspect but they'll probably offer GAIT phones too if they want to better compete.

KevinJames · 07-18-2002, 11:25 PM

There was something called an "analog boot." It was a snap-on device that provided analog for GSM users. I haven't seen to much discussion of that lately.

aiwapro · 07-20-2002, 8:45 PM

Voicestream already had this for a long time, and just recently discontinued it. It was only available on a couple of models though, Nokia 5190 and 6190. The sleeve costs as much as the phone did though.

bobolito · 07-21-2002, 1:58 AM

Chris, do you know what carrier Voicestream users roamed when in analog?
I don't know why GSM users needed this add-on to use analog, when TDMA and CDMA users have analog capability built right into the phone.

aiwapro · 07-21-2002, 1:19 PM

No, I don't know but maybe Matt does.

I think an Ericsson phone had the analog built-in, but the 5190 and the 6190 didn't. I guess analog came to Voicestream later after the phones were already in production and they needed an add-on.

Matt · 07-21-2002, 9:36 PM

No, I don't know who the analog carriers were. I assume the local Baby Bells....

As for the reason behind the sleeves, GSM was not developed to support dual band phones - the idea was that all you'd need was GSM. And of course in Europe, where the standard was developed, that is exactly the case. Digital coverage is everywhere; no need for analog.

07-21-2002, 9:47 PM

Will GSM coverage in the US ever be as extensive as in Europe, or will service providers keep changing technologies before reaching excellent coverage with one particular technology?

bobolito · 07-21-2002, 10:31 PM

At the pace we are going, making money is more important to companies than delivering excellent service.

08-21-2002, 3:01 AM

I have one of these anolog sleeves on my GSM phone with voicestream. It gets a signal out in the sticks however you need to use a credit card at 2 bucks a minute. The sleeve cost me 40 bucks and it goes between the phone and the batterie. I recomend not buying it.

09-02-2002, 5:46 AM

I would assume it is because of compatibility issues.

S. Cole

07-18-2002, 10:42 AM	#1 (permalink)
Guest Posts: n/a	GSM & Analog I use a dual-band phone on Sprint PCS, so I can switch over to analog from CDMA if I have to. I noticed that almost none of the GSM phones available on other carriers have the ability to switch to analog. So if your car breaks down way out in the sticks, you're not going to be able to use your GSM phone to call for help. How come GSM cell phone makers don't allow the phone to roam on analog unlike CDMA & TDMA phones?

07-18-2002, 11:13 AM	#2 (permalink)
bobolito iPhone 3G 16GB (White) Join Date: May 2002 Location: New Sanfrakota Posts: 12,398 Phone(s): iPhone 3G, RAZR V9, Sierra 875 3G Aircard, HP iPaq Classic 110 Provider(s): AT&T Mobility Devices: WiFi cards/Access points Thanks: 3 Thanked 11 Times in 10 Posts Images: 50 My Auctions	I guess it's too expensive to implement because GSM carriers don't support analog by design. CDMA and TDMA carriers were analog carriers at some point so they already have both networks. Voicestream used to offer some GSM/analog phones but they stopped. Cingular took the initiative to implement something similar: GAIT technology. This new technology will allow users to get seamless coverage from either GSM, TDMA or Analog systems. AT&T is coming out with new phones that will work on both GSM and TDMA and although they do not use GAIT technology or analog, it will let GSM users expand coverage a great deal. I don't know what Voicestream is cooking in this aspect but they'll probably offer GAIT phones too if they want to better compete. __________________

07-20-2002, 8:45 PM	#4 (permalink)
aiwapro Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 2,455 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	GSM & Analog Voicestream already had this for a long time, and just recently discontinued it. It was only available on a couple of models though, Nokia 5190 and 6190. The sleeve costs as much as the phone did though.

07-21-2002, 1:58 AM	#5 (permalink)
bobolito iPhone 3G 16GB (White) Join Date: May 2002 Location: New Sanfrakota Posts: 12,398 Phone(s): iPhone 3G, RAZR V9, Sierra 875 3G Aircard, HP iPaq Classic 110 Provider(s): AT&T Mobility Devices: WiFi cards/Access points Thanks: 3 Thanked 11 Times in 10 Posts Images: 50 My Auctions	GSM & Analog Chris, do you know what carrier Voicestream users roamed when in analog? I don't know why GSM users needed this add-on to use analog, when TDMA and CDMA users have analog capability built right into the phone. __________________

07-21-2002, 1:19 PM	#6 (permalink)
aiwapro Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 2,455 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	GSM & Analog No, I don't know but maybe Matt does. I think an Ericsson phone had the analog built-in, but the 5190 and the 6190 didn't. I guess analog came to Voicestream later after the phones were already in production and they needed an add-on.

07-18-2002, 11:25 PM	#3 (permalink)
KevinJames WA's 1st retired mod Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Central Valley NorCA Posts: 2,588 Phone(s): Nokia 6126 Provider(s): the new AT&T Devices: Bluetooth devices--MotoHS820, Garmin Nuvi 660 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	There was something called an "analog boot." It was a snap-on device that provided analog for GSM users. I haven't seen to much discussion of that lately.

07-21-2002, 9:36 PM	#7 (permalink)
Matt Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Lititz, Pa. Posts: 4,704 Phone(s): BlackBerry Pearl Provider(s): T-Mobile Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Images: 2	GSM & Analog No, I don't know who the analog carriers were. I assume the local Baby Bells.... As for the reason behind the sleeves, GSM was not developed to support dual band phones - the idea was that all you'd need was GSM. And of course in Europe, where the standard was developed, that is exactly the case. Digital coverage is everywhere; no need for analog. __________________ Join the T-Mobile Group Forum (or any other!) ...a/k/a cheerioboy26 elsewhere on the net....

07-21-2002, 9:47 PM	#8 (permalink)
Guest Posts: n/a	GSM & Analog Will GSM coverage in the US ever be as extensive as in Europe, or will service providers keep changing technologies before reaching excellent coverage with one particular technology?

07-21-2002, 10:31 PM	#9 (permalink)
bobolito iPhone 3G 16GB (White) Join Date: May 2002 Location: New Sanfrakota Posts: 12,398 Phone(s): iPhone 3G, RAZR V9, Sierra 875 3G Aircard, HP iPaq Classic 110 Provider(s): AT&T Mobility Devices: WiFi cards/Access points Thanks: 3 Thanked 11 Times in 10 Posts Images: 50 My Auctions	GSM & Analog At the pace we are going, making money is more important to companies than delivering excellent service. __________________

08-21-2002, 3:01 AM	#10 (permalink)
Guest Posts: n/a	GSM & Analog I have one of these anolog sleeves on my GSM phone with voicestream. It gets a signal out in the sticks however you need to use a credit card at 2 bucks a minute. The sleeve cost me 40 bucks and it goes between the phone and the batterie. I recomend not buying it.

09-02-2002, 5:46 AM	#11 (permalink)
Guest Posts: n/a	GSM & Analog I would assume it is because of compatibility issues. S. Cole

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