GSM or CDMA

Simply put, we can't tell you which one's more secure. The codec that encodes a call on CDMA is vastly impenetrable, so tapping a wireless call is not that easy--analog is always easy because it's straight voice over the air waves. The GSM system is also secure enough that there are no worries for that based on the sequencing of time-slots.

You shouldn't worry about call security, rather you should research which carrier is more readily accessible in your area, what problems to expect with that carrier, and the device as well. You might hear unsettling stories, you might hear nothing but good htings. It's really your call, however.

I mean, some people love Sprint, right?

I have used both techonologies.
I use to have GSM service with AT&T wireless before the merger,and then with cingular after the merger. I began to get lots of dropped calls. and even though I always had a strong signal, it was hard to hear when making a call, or I was often unable to. not to mention that annoying thing when you hear your self echoing when talking.

I don't think that the GSM technology is necessariy bad, I just think the GSM network operators in the USA which are (T- MOBILE, and CINGULAR)
don't operatate there networks very well.

I later switched to Verizon Wireless, which is CDMA. I will never switch back to GSM. The voice clarity is amazing on Verizon network. I have never had a dropped call either and I get coverage every where. which is good cause I travel alot. I personally like CDMA better.
CDMA despite what many people think, is a new technology as well.
I have to admit there is limited covergae when traveling to Europe as seeing GSM is dominant there. I often travel to Japan and CDMA is what is used mostly there it seems, and the coverage and clarity it great too!

I say go with CDMA in the united states your major CDMA carriers are Verizon, Sprint, and then Alltell. all I know is verizon works for me

If Alltel is CDMA then why does GSM World list Alltel in their coverage maps for GSM?

I also have one question, which you'd think I know, and I think I do - but CDMA and GSM - can the two networks have a roaming agreement or not?

i don't beleive gsm can roam on a cdma network so agreements would be pointless..... could be wrong thought but to the best of my knowledge cdma and gsm towers are different.. unless cdma can also use a tdma towers, then there might be some type of agreement... but i dunno if cdma can use tdma towers although.

Alltel bought a lot of smaller coverage companies up and started switching them to CDMA, here in MI they purchased CenturyTel and CenturyTel used TDMA for digital as I think did a lot of the carriers they purchased. As a result they still have many TDMA towers out there and probably will until attrition limits the remaining TDMA users to acceptable losses if they don't wish to switch. Sprint is supposed to be the only all CDMA network, but if you get in the game late you can choose the newer technology to use for your network. The rest of the world uses GSM largely because the chips that they use are cheaper to produce and sell (thanks a lot Qualcomm!!) so lower income areas can use cell as opposed to the more expensive CDMA, however it was been announced that a new cheaper CDMA chip should be shipping in entry level models in 2008 so it is possible that CDMA could begin cracking the rest of the world. At any rate if you aren't leaving the US any time soon CDMA is an excellent choice, if you are then you may want GSM.

Then again Cingular says it has the least dropped calls, but they just talk.
Alltel gives you a minute for every dropped call, maybe not impressive but they are putting their money where their mouths are.
Sprint says it covers the most people.
Cingular says it has the largest network
Alltel says they have the largest owned and operated network.
What does all this say, does it say Sprint covers more people, Cingular covers more land, and Alltel owns more towers?
I've looked at all the maps, generally they all cover about the same areas, pick a company for good coverage in your area, pick a phone for the right ratio of features vs dependability unless you purchase the added insurance. In my area I choose between Sprint, Nextel and Alltel, the big guys TMobile, Cingular, and Verizon don't come to my neck of the woods. Given my choices I think MyCircle is the ringer!

GSM or CDMA

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