2006-11-03 02:38:11 · 2 answers · asked by vikas k 1 in Consumer Electronics ➔ Cell Phones & Plans
GSM stands for Global Systems for Mobile communications. CDMA stands for Code Division Multiple Access. The primary difference is the way that the digital signal is transmitted, as well as that GSM phones use what are called SIM(subscriber identity modules) cards, which are small computer chips that actually have your programmed to them as opposed to being assigned to the phone itself, i.e. the ESN(electronic serial number) which CDMA uses.
2006-11-03 06:02:28 · answer #1 · answered by Kelly L 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
On the radio side, CDMA is spread spectrum and GSM is not.
CDMA is largely US/Canada and Japan. GSM is the rest of the world. There are GSM networks in the US too.
Because the GSM global market is much bigger than CDMA, GSM handsets are cheaper. GSM is generally regarded as a better technology and there is more investment in GSM than CDMA. GSM standards are controlled via 3GPP (www.3gpp.org)
2006-11-03 04:12:44 · answer #2 · answered by amania_r 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋