GSM vs. CDMA fight is not just in the forums...

[bobolito]

GSM-CDMA War Of Words Heats Up Again

Thu Nov 18, 9:29 AM ET Technology - TechWeb


Mobile Pipeline News

The ongoing war of words between advocates of CDMA (news - web sites) wireless technology and GSM heated up again Thursday when the GSM Americas Group claimed an annual 124 percent increase in subscribers in North and South America.

Groups advocating both technologies periodically issue status reports and take swipes at the opposition. The GSM group claimed Thursday that it added five times more subscribers in the Americas during the year ending September 30 than did CDMA technology. The group claims it added 13 million subscribers in the last quarter in the Western hemisphere and now has 1.18 billion customers around the world, accounting for 74 percent of all wireless subscribers.

Earlier this month, the CDMA Development Group said it added 29 million CDMA subscribers in the third quarter bringing the number of CDMA subscribers to 227 million worldwide.

GSM is the dominant wireless technology in Europe and CDMA used to dominate in North America. However, in recent years, wireless operators such as AT&T Wireless and Cingular, which are now merged, adopted GSM. Verizon Wireless and Sprint use CDMA technology.

CDMA advocates claim they are particularly strong in Asia, which it says is home to 42 percent of all CDMA subscribers.


http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp...4&sid=95573432

[bobolito]

Funny how it says that "CDMA used to dominate in North America"

[Bugwart]

When UMTS makes it to the US, CDMA will dominate again.

[jones]

Originally Posted by Bugwart When UMTS makes it to the US, CDMA will dominate again.

UMTS is already here,
UMTS is W-CDMA.
W-CDMA is being claimed by GSM
since the GSM to W-CDMA call handoff is already proven to work.

However CDMA2000 is not compatible with W-CDMA and will NOT
Handoff calls to GSM.

[agentHibby]

Originally Posted by jones UMTS is already here, Since the GSM to W-CDMA call handoff is already proven to work.

is that a soft handoff or hard handoff and how is it from W-CDMA to GSM??

Originally Posted by jones However CDMA2000 is not compatible with W-CDMA and will NOT Handoff calls to GSM.

That is true now, but when CDMA/WCDMA phones get into full stream in 2006 we will see if Qualcomm has a chip that can do a handoff. (maybe they can't)

[bobolito]

Originally Posted by Bugwart When UMTS makes it to the US, CDMA will dominate again.

If we put it in those terms then we should say that TDMA is the one that dominates, and CDMA has never been dominant. The vast majority of north american subscribers have always had used of these TDMA technologies:

- IS-136
- IDEN
- GSM

So, when the majority of users start to use either UMTS or CDMA2000, then and only THEN we can say that CDMA is dominating in the US for the first time.

However, if we use the article's terminology, then when UMTS makes it to the US, then it will be UMTS the dominant technology in the US, not CDMA.

Bottomline, it all depends on which terminology you want to use.

[bobolito]

Originally Posted by agentHibby is that a soft handoff or hard handoff and how is it from W-CDMA to GSM??

It will have to be a hard handoff because you are changing air interface in the middle of the call.

That is true now, but when CDMA/WCDMA phones get into full stream in 2006 we will see if Qualcomm has a chip that can do a handoff. (maybe they can't)

I doubt the carriers will want to do this. Imagine a Verizon to Cingular handoff .... I don't think so!

[Bugwart]

Originally Posted by jones UMTS is already here, UMTS is W-CDMA. W-CDMA is being claimed by GSM since the GSM to W-CDMA call handoff is already proven to work. However CDMA2000 is not compatible with W-CDMA and will NOT Handoff calls to GSM.

Jones,
The GSM <-> GPRS <-> wCDMA handoff does work because of multi-mode phones. Single mode wCDMA phones such as those on the NTT DoCoMo FOMA network, do not hand off to GSM or PDC (the Japanese TDMA network).

There are, in fact, several models of handsets that will switch between CDMA2000 and wCDMA. Samsung and LG make these phones. The market for such handsets is rather small, since outside of Korea, no service provider operates both CDMA2000 and wCDMA in the same market.

In fact, except for Korea and Japan, there are almost no markets that operate both CDMA2000 and wCDMA today. HKG has wCDMA, but not CDMA2000 (IS 95A only). Taiwan has CDMA2000 but no wCDMA.

[Bugwart]

Originally Posted by agentHibby is that a soft handoff or hard handoff and how is it from W-CDMA to GSM?? That is true now, but when CDMA/WCDMA phones get into full stream in 2006 we will see if Qualcomm has a chip that can do a handoff. (maybe they can't)

I believe that Qualcomm produces the chipset that Samsung and LG are using for their CDMA2000/wCDMA dual mode handsets.

[jones]

The GSM to W-CDMA handoff has been proven in Europe.
What they have is a Dual Mode GSM/W-CDMA phone.

[agentHibby]

Originally Posted by bobolito I doubt the carriers will want to do this. Imagine a Verizon to Cingular handoff .... I don't think so!

you are probably right Bobo.
Well I am sure there was no problem with Nynex Mobile handoff to Comcast Cellular back in the day, but Cingular or Verizon choosing part of there network to roam on?? probably not... but then again parts of Cingular network is free roam on Verizon's America Choice plan.

[scottb]

Wirelessly posted (Samsung i600: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 4.01; Windows CE; Smartphone; 176x220))

I think for most people, if they can get the coverage and services they want it makes no difference what the technology is. It really only matters to the providers and those who hang out here.

[Andy]

yup, You have a good point, scott, I agree.

[Steve B]

I will prefer CDMA and will always do so. I can be happy with GSM if all my other needs are met.

[Airb330]

Agent, I dont think any Cingular analog is allowed on AC plans. ATT analog is allowed, which is technincally cingular, but you know what I mean! It's interesting to see if Verizon pulls the ATT network in FL, because it's owned by Cingular. Cingular and Verizon don't get along lol

[Gabriel]

ok, what is then the difference between using GSM and CDMA? can anyone really tell the difference? because i cant!!!

i do use GSM because of compatability with so many other countries, and the all beautiful and ingenious SIM card. otherwise, i really see no diference.

[viewfly]

Originally Posted by Airb330 Agent, I dont think any Cingular analog is allowed on AC plans. ATT analog is allowed, which is technincally cingular, but you know what I mean! It's interesting to see if Verizon pulls the ATT network in FL, because it's owned by Cingular. Cingular and Verizon don't get along lol

Back in 2001, I was allowed to used Verizon's network with my Cingular phone. I was in the midwest at the time.

[twopiece]

Most people would probably choose one over the other depending on network coverage, call clarity, etc. Then there are things like additional services that get factored in.

For instance, I know someone who has no choice but to choose GSM over CDMA. He tells me that GSM coverage in his home area is okay but CDMA is a bit better. He also travels to HK every other month so he merely takes his SIM card with him to use the phones over there.

[agentHibby]

I will agree Airb330 that Verizon and Cingular are not the best of friends right now. Cingular is on very few part of Americas Choice in lowest prority here are the areas they can roam free in Analog.

Lake Charles, LA
Lafayette, LA
Louisiana RSA #5
Louisiana RSA #6
Austin, TX
Victoria, TX
Texas RSA #16
Texas RSA #20
Columbus, OH
Ohio RSA #7
Ohio RSA #8
Ohio RSA #10

It seems like every market has another carrier former AT&T analog or Alltel being higher in prority in these markets (maybe due to a Cellular One Contract back in the day??)

[MOTOhooligan]

While still a hardcore supporter of TDMA I have just signed up for service with T-Mobile, so I guess I have to side with the GSM-ers on this one but I may eventually upgrade my TDMA handset to a CDMA handset with CellularONE and then where would I be? Caught between two worlds, like Hedwig and the Angry Inch.

[Mobile Mike]

Originally Posted by rancidhooligan While still a hardcore supporter of TDMA I have just signed up for service with T-Mobile, so I guess I have to side with the GSM-ers on this one but I may eventually upgrade my TDMA handset to a CDMA handset with CellularONE and then where would I be? Caught between two worlds, like Hedwig and the Angry Inch.

Straddling two mobile system dimensions aint all that bad. I've gotten used to it.

To be quite honest, I can't really tell the difference between GSM and CDMA yet. They both sound fine. No complaints here.

[WiggyFife]

Originally Posted by rancidhooligan While still a hardcore supporter of TDMA I have just signed up for service with T-Mobile, so I guess I have to side with the GSM-ers on this one but I may eventually upgrade my TDMA handset to a CDMA handset with CellularONE and then where would I be? Caught between two worlds, like Hedwig and the Angry Inch.

congrats on joining TMO, Rancid!!!

[MOTOhooligan]

Originally Posted by sstrosberg congrats on joining TMO, Rancid!!!

Thanks... I can't wait. It seems like the phones are taking forever to get here but it's only been two days.

[Mobile Mike]

Originally Posted by rancidhooligan Thanks... I can't wait. It seems like the phones are taking forever to get here but it's only been two days.

Did you get the 1000 minutes deal? I think it works for multiple lines as well. This is one of the things I really like about T-Mobile!

[MOTOhooligan]

Originally Posted by lbmike212 Did you get the 1000 minutes deal? I think it works for multiple lines as well. This is one of the things I really like about T-Mobile!

Nope, the 850 anytime, unlimited night/weekend, unlimited mobile to mobile Family Time plan for $69.99/mo, two Samsung SGH-E315s and 300 text messages on each line. I'll be adding unlimited T-Zones (to my line at least, possibly my wife's) after my bank account recovers from Christmas shopping. My phones are in Indianapolis right now... why, oh why aren't they at my house yet?