Get Connected - Tech Look - GSM vs CDMA

*** NOTE *** This episode aired in July of 2007 so certain facts may be outdated.

Episode 23 Segment 2

GetConnected hosts Mike Agerbo and Lindsay Smith expain the differences between GSM and (Global Systems Mobile) and CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access).

Mike's phone of choice is a CDMA phone, while Lindsay uses GSM. CDMA is used heavily in North America, while GSM is the popular standard around the world. Which one is better?

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Get
• Connected
• Mike
• Agerbo
• Lindsay
• Smith
• GSM
• CDMA
• Cell
• Phone
• Global
• Systems
• Mobile
• Code
• Division
• Multiple
• Access

[Robindahoodz]

well, one of the advantages of cdma is more security. If your phone is lost or stolen it can easily be locked remotely and located remotely as well, not saying gsm phones cant be located remotely since they have GPS too, but if someone steals your iphone they can easily pull the sim card out and bam your phone is gone for good...

[getconnectedtvshow]

@Robindahoodz Excellent points. The iPhone does have Apps that can locate your phone but I don't know if that would work once they remove the sim card. I guess the whole point is to not lose your phone in the first place. If it can happen, it will happen... eventually.

[Born2Die83]

How is GSM slowers? GSM uses HSDPA now, and thats offered up to 7.2 Megabit here in Singapore...  which kills the 2mbs the guy mentions for CDMA in the video.

[faisalm1991]

it doesn't even work. sim cards can only store phone numbers, and messages. i don't think you can put any media files

[jean6826]

Sim cards are not microsd cards people! It would be expensive if it has to store music or video files.

[jean6826]

Comes OAT? Geez, Canadians. It's not pronounced like that.

[timigaguy]

well i'm gonna get GSM cos i'v never heard of a phone with out a sim before

here in New Zealand

[HeyItPat]

@Born2Die83 Not just that, Now it uses HSPA+ with offer up to 14.4 megabits per second.

[video45000]

CDMA 2mbs LOL GSM 47mbs!!!!

[skaterspade]

@Robindahoodz

As far as the GSM phones go, that's not necessarily true. If the owner reports the phone as stolen, then the phones IMEI will be black listed in the EIR (Equipment Identity Register). Any time a GSM phone tries to connect to its network, that network checks the phones IMEI in the EIR to see if it's black-, gray-, or white-listed. That phone won't be useable again regardless of what SIM card is in it, because the IMEI is hardwired (hard coded) into the phone.

[NiklasNinja]

@Robindahoodz, easy to trace on GSM aswell, the provider can find the phone easly, by looking at the last base station the phone is/was connected to, and if its stolen you can block the IMEI on the phone, most providers have a shared list of banned IMEIs so that phone becomes useless arround the world....

[Zacisblackk]

@jvolstad I always have a weak signal with my Fascinate so I can see that.

[desterrrrrrrr]

CDMA SUCKS ASS bad.

GSM is the future.

[defman85]

what about battery life? is there a difference??