For most people CDMA and GSM just sound like a bunch of letters but in the cell phone world they are like apple and oranges. They are network technologies that allow your service provider to connect to your smartphone for data transfer. In the United States CDMA is very popular but worldwide GSM is closer to an industry standard.
So what are the differences? CDMA or Code Division Multiple Access refers a digital cellular system that utilizes a multiple access scheme. This allows the carrier to provide and alter different network features. The GSM or Global System for Mobile communication uses an established network infrastructure which cannot be altered but is closer to an industry standard.
Confused yet? Well let’s just talk about the two things that affect you when you need to choose a cell phone service provider related to these two network technologies. The GSM network allows users to use a SIM card (subscriber identity module) which can be moved from phone to phone. This SIM card is removable storage that can hold all of you phone settings, contacts, network identifier and some light security info. In other words if you upgrade and get a new phone you can take out the SIM card and put it into the new phone to activate it. AT&T and T-Mobile utilize this type of infrastructure. CDMA on the other hand has internal memory and will not allow you to easily transfer data or activate a phone without some kind of service. Usually you will need to take your phone into a carrier to have that data transferred to an entirely new phone and activated. Carriers like Verizon and Sprint work off of the CDMA technology.
The other important decision when choosing a carrier or a network specific technology is the international factor. GSM is used in 80% of all networked countries in the world. That offers a lot of coverage if you do a lot of traveling. To compensate for this newer CDMA phones have multiple band systems built in that can be activated depending on your calling plan. Before doing any international travel on either technology make sure to contact your service provider and discuss your travel plans with them. Roaming charges can get expensive if you don't have the correct calling plan setup. The key is to talk to your service provider and have them help in determining what is the right service and plan for you.
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