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Need a little education on GSM...

Discussion in 'GENERAL Wireless Discussion' started by CRC, Mar 30, 2007.

  1. CRC

    CRC Senior Member
    Senior Member

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    Location:
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    My Phone:
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    I'm 98% sure I'll be switching from Verizon over to T-Mobile in June when my contract ends with VZW. I plan to get my T-Mobile phone the end of April, beginning of May. But before I jump in I had a couple of "GSM" questions.

    Is GSM as secure as CDMA? From what I understand, CDMA has the "spread spectrum" technology which scrambles the signal somewhat so it's harder to tap into from the outside. Does GSM have something similar or the same level of protection? The reason I ask is that I don't have a land-line, so if I call my bank or credit-card companies, I just want to be sure someone can't tap into my line.

    Also, what about "911" calls? I know with VZW if I call 911, the emergency people can track you down with GPS. Does GSM or T-Mobile have something similar?

    Thanks in advance for all your replies!
    Chris
     
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    #1 CRC, Mar 30, 2007
  2. Jay2TheRescue

    Jay2TheRescue Resident Spamslayer
    Super Moderator Senior Member

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    1. Any phone service you get now would be digital, so it would take more than someone with a modified scanner to hear your conversation. However, no matter what service you get if someone really wants to listen in, and has the talent and funds then they can listen in. We had a great opportunity to have very secure mobile conversations, but the Gov't wanted to be able to listen in if they wanted to, so the security is not as good as it could have been.

    2. Any US based phone carrier is required to have a means of locating you on a map for 911 purposes. GSM carriers triangulate your position from the towers, CDMA phones have a GPS chip inside the phone itself. I think the GSM system is more reliable as the location system is not reliant on a satellite signal. The signal that the phone uses to make the call is the same signal that is used to locate the caller. There are many locations that have cell service, yet would not be able to recieve an adequate satellite signal.
     
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    #2 Jay2TheRescue, Mar 30, 2007
  3. strunke

    strunke .:|Always Covered|:.
    Senior Member

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    Technically, CDMA is more secure. But, GSM is not unsecure. You don't need to worry about that. Yes GSM has the locating abilities for 911....
     
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    #3 strunke, Mar 30, 2007
  4. CRC

    CRC Senior Member
    Senior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
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    T-Mobile
    Thank-you both for your replies. I'm pretty sure I'm switching over, just wanted to be sure about a couple of things before doing so!
     
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    #4 CRC, Mar 30, 2007
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