Cell Phone Wireless CDMA vs GSM carriers

Net10 offers "Use your own compatible or unlocked GSM phone on America’s best nationwide networks.  Select a SIM or SIM bundle to get Unlimited Data, Talk & Text.  It’s that easy."  or not.

To Explain the Short Wave of things: after watching this video "Quick guide to cell phone carriers"  

I learned that AT&T and T-Mobile use GSM vs CDMA used by Verizon Wireless, Sprint, MetroPCS, Cricket, and U.S. Cellular.

Two basic technologies in mobile phones, are GSM (Global System for Mobiles) and CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access)  represent a bridge you can't cross. 

These two technologies are the reason you can't use AT&T phones on Verizon's network and vice versa. 

History of CDMA and the History of GSM

What does CDMA vs. GSM really mean ?   Which is More Preferable, Pros & Cons?

CDMA and GSM both acronyms tend to group together a bunch of technologies run by the same entities.   Two major radio systems used in cell phones.

The USA is mostly CDMA country and not part of the norm, because most of the world is GSM. 

For call quality, the technology you use is much less important than the way your carrier has built its network.  There are the good and bad CDMA and GSM networks, but there are key differences between the technologies. 

It's much easier to swap phones on GSM networks, because GSM carriers put customer information on a removable SIM card. 

Take the card out, put it in a different phone, and the new phone now has your number. 

What's more, to be considered GSM, a carrier must accept any GSM-compliant phone.  So the GSM carriers don't have total control of the phone you're using.

CDMA carriers use network-based white lists to verify their subscribers. 

Which means you can only switch phones with your carrier's permission, and a carrier doesn't have to accept any particular phone onto its network.  It could, but typically, U.S. carriers choose not to.

And if you are in a Contract as with myself with Verizon, until your contract is up, and you have your Verizon Network Phone unlocked, freeing up the phone to be used with another carrier such as Sprint.  Fee's are involved, also it is a bit of a hassle.

So now...my Verizon HTC Incredible phones are CDMA and of no use after a switch to Net10, as they are CDMA, and Net10 only accepts GSM phones.

And the cost to Unlock or the hassle...may not be to my advantage using another CDMA Carrier as Sprint, MetroPCS, Cricket, or U.S. Cellular.  

Also reading & watching videos, since Net10 accepts GSM, that means of the 4 Major Wireless Carriers, Net10 is leasing their Wireless from  AT&T or T-Mobile.  And other companies not of the Big 4, lease from the Big 4.

You can take an unlocked AT&T phone over to T-Mobile (although its 3G may not work well because the frequency bands are different).

First shop for a Carrier, see what Phones are currently available before you make the final decision, however keep reading.

You can't take a Verizon phone over to Sprint, because Sprint's network rejects non-Sprint phones.

3G CDMA networks (known as "EV-DO" or "Evolution Data Optimized") which generally, can't make voice calls and transmit data at the same time. 

Which "SV-DO" for "Simultaneous Voice and Data Optimization" can...as all 3G GSM networks have simultaneous voice and data.

And if your Question is "It's possible to switch from CDMA to GSM" ? 

Answer: Two carriers in Canada have done it, to get access to the wider variety of off-the-shelf GSM phones.  

However, Verizon and Sprint are big enough that they can get custom phones built for them, so they don't see the need to waste money switching 3G technologies when they could be building out their 4G networks.

The Future is LTE

The CDMA vs. GSM gap will close eventually as everyone moves to 4G LTE, but that doesn't mean everyone's phones will be compatible.  LTE, or "Long Term Evolution," is the new globally accepted 4G wireless standard.  All of the U.S. carriers are turning it on.

The problem is, they're turning it on in different frequency bands, with different 3G backup systems, and even, in Clearwire's case, using an LTE variant (TD-LTE) that doesn't work with any other U.S. carrier's phones.

Furthermore, it's not like the 2G and 3G networks are going away any time soon. 

Carriers have told PC Technology they're leaving their UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) and EVDO (Evolution Data Optimized) networks live until at least 2020.  

And do not expect America to enter a European-style paradise of interchangeable phones anytime soon.

What does this mean for you?  Unless you want to switch phones often (CDMA), or use our phones in Europe (GSM), or use imported phones from Europe (GSM), go with GSM.

Otherwise, pick our carrier based on coverage and call quality for your area or where you plan to travel frequently.

Simple right, with SmartPhones, SmartCarriers, SmartNetworking, which personally leaves me feeling bewildered over whelmed in making a decision, as there is cost involved, as with what Plan, Pre-paid, no more Contract...

And a little more knowledgeable than yesterday, as I am about to switch to another carrier.  

One more item "Apple iPhone 5, supports both these bands"

How is that for summing it up, any questions ? see me after class