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November 1, 2008
• Vol.5 Issue 11 Page(s) 72-73 in print issue | |
Essential Things To Know Cell Phone Technologies | |
 GSM Q: What is GSM? A: Global System for Mobile Communication is a cellular transmission standard that relies on a SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card to connect the phone to the network. Q: What type of information does the SIM card hold? A: The SIM card contains your telephone number, user account information, and other network data and can be moved from phone to phone. Q: What frequencies does GSM use? A: GSM networks can use the 850MHz, 900MHz, 1800MHz, and 1900MHz frequency ranges. In the United States, AT&T and T-Mobile use 850MHz and 1900MHz frequencies. Q: How fast are GSM transmission speeds? A: GSM networks can transmit data at up to 9.6Kbps, which is slower than the 3G EVDO and EDGE standards. Q: What is tri-band GSM? A: Tri-band GSM phones support three frequency bands. For instance, a tri-band phone may be able to use the 900 and 1800MHz frequencies in Europe, Africa, and Asia, as well as the 1900MHz frequency in the United States. Q: What are the primary benefits of GSM? A: The GSM standard uses a digital signal, which is harder to intercept than an analog signal. In addition, digital signals allow multiple calls on the same channel, so the network can handle a greater amount of calls than analog-based signals. CDMA Q: What is CDMA? A: CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) is a digital cell phone wireless technology used by carriers including Sprint, Verizon Wireless, and Alltel. Q: What is asynchronous CDMA? A: This improved form of CDMA can use available wireless bandwidth more efficiently than standard CDMA. Q: How does CDMA resist interference? A: CDMA is a spread spectrum wireless technology, meaning among other things that its signal frequently “hops” from one frequency to the next. Q: How does CDMA differ from GSM? A: GSM providers supply their phones with SIM cards, which CDMA phones don’t need. Also, each GSM phone is attuned to a particular frequency, unlike CDMA phones. Q: What is 1xRTT? A: Single-carrier radio transmission technology is a faster, 2.5G version of CDMA. Speedy 3G technologies, some of which also are based on CDMA, are supplanting 1xRTT in the marketplace. EVDO Q: What is EVDO? A: EVDO (Evolution Data Optimized) is a wireless broadband networking service that enables high-speed Internet access on your cell phone without the need for an access point. Q: What are EVDO Release 0 and Revision A? A: EVDO Release 0 supports forward data link speeds up to 2.4Mbps and reverse link data rates up to 153Kbps. EVDO Rev. A is a newer technology with maximum forward link speeds of 3.1Mbps and 1.8Mbps on the reverse. Q: What benefits does EVDO Rev. A offer? A: As the newer standard, EVDO Rev. A adds the ability to transmit VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) and video telephone conversations on the same carrier with simultaneous delivery of voice and data. Q: What carriers offer EVDO? A: CDMA carriers such as Sprint and Verizon Wireless offer EVDO in the United States. Both of these carriers offer EVDO Rev. A. Some of the smaller carriers also offer EVDO. Q: How do I take advantage of EVDO? A: You'll need a device (phone or wireless laptop card) that supports EVDO. Many phones and wireless cards support EVDO Rev. A today. You’ll also need a data plan that provides access to the EVDO network. EDGE Q: What is EDGE technology? A: EDGE (Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution) is a cell phone communication technology that offers fast data transmission (high-speed Internet access) beyond previous technologies such as digital 2G and GPRS (General Packet Radio Service). Q: Is EDGE available worldwide? A: EDGE operates primarily in North America. While there are numerous companies carrying EDGE in Central and South America, EDGE operates in more than 150 countries globally. Q: How does EDGE Evolution improve EDGE? A: EDGE Evolution increases download speeds, enhances VoIP service, and upgrades the overall signal quality. Q: What types of features does EDGE offer? A: EDGE technology is capable of advanced data communication. Subscribers can download video, music, and access the Internet and email. Q: How is UMTS related to GSM technology? A: UMTS stands for Universal Mobile Telecommunications Service; it is a 3G transmission originally based on GSM. Q: Which carriers offer EDGE technology? Which support GSM? A: In the United States, T-Mobile and AT&T both offer GSM and EDGE technology. Sprint Nextell and Verizon Wireless both support GSM networks. Q: Is HSDPA faster than EDGE? A: HSDPA (High-Speed Downlink Packet Access) for 3G mobile technology provides rapid data transfers faster than EDGE.  |
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