CDMA

In CDMA the signal is brodcasted over a range and the cell collects all that. It takes the entire allocated frequency range for a given service and multiplexes information for all users across the spectrum range at the same time.

Pros: excellent national coverage (larger coverage area than GSM), calls can be placed in lower-signal strength situations, better reception/coverage in tunnels and rural areas, quicker to offer 3G services.

Cons: poor international coverage, not as easy to switch devices. CDMA carriers usually require proprietary handsets that are linked to one carrier only and are not card-enabled. To upgrade a CDMA phone, the carrier must deactivate the old phone then activate the new one. The old phone becomes useless.

GSM, CDMA, and iDEN Comparison

The technological differences among GSM, CDMA, and iDEN generate volumes of information, marketing, and opinion from the cell phone carriers that use one wireless technology or another. All, understandably, claim that their cell phone technology is the “best” with reasons to support their contention. Actually, they are correct and being very truthful. A better question: “Which is the best technology FOR ME?”

Your decisions should not generate too much stress or concern as all three major wireless technology methods work very well. A decision as to which is “best” cannot be made without considering additional information - issues that pertain to you, directly.

For example, if your career or vacation travel frequently takes you beyond the borders of the U.S., a GSM cell phone carrier might prove to be best for you.

The most common cell phone technology globally is GSM. Therefore, you may be able to use your own cell phone in a number of other countries, without the necessity - and extra cost - of buying or renting a compatible cell phone in different locations you visit.

If you work closely with a team, whose members are often physically in different places, iDEN technology, used by Nextel, is often the best choice.

The combination of two-way radio functions and cell phone technology allow you to stay in constant touch with your teammates instantly by simply paging them. No network “minutes” are used or charged for these communications, often saving your company money and providing the instant contact that helps a team function better.

If you are strictly a U.S. user, CDMA cell phone technology is just as reliable and efficient as GSM and iDEN systems. Some experts will state that CDMA is true 3G (Third Generation), state-of-the-art wireless technology. CDMA is particularly adept at transmitting data quickly and efficiently to and from your cell phone.

CDMA:The future of mobile world

CDMA is short for Code Division Multiple Access, a digital cellular technology that uses the Spread Spectrum ways of communication. The other communications are GSM which uses another method called as TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access). The principle of CDMA is not assigning a specific frequency to each user, but to allow the entire channel of users to benefit from the entire available spectrum. The individual conversation or communication is encoded with a pseudo random digital sequence. This means that the entire channel is encoded and much safer and faster. CDMA provides better capacity for voice and data transmissions than GSM. Therefore more number of subscribers can connect at any given time. It is also the same platform on which 3G technologies are built on. CDMA was first used for Military purposes during the Second World War by the English to foil German attempts at jamming transmissions. Now CDMA is widely used in many countries all over the world. The encryption of the data transmissions is also very confidential and safe. The safety factor makes the CDMA have an edge over GSM and other technologies. CDMA spectrum is wide spread which minimises the traffic and allows a congestion free network. The network management also is much easier than GSM. Qualcomm created the communication chips for CDMA chips and later commercialized it all over. Countries like America, India, Korea, and other major nations use CDMA widely.