Different cell phone standards around the world

June 12, 2006 12:55 PM

Cell phone standards around the world. Specifically, a map that shows which ones are where, that would be great...

Cell phone dialects, as it were, insofar as there are any. Some kind of visual representation of the many different cell phone standards around the world.

(also, a good primer on the different standards would be great... I've already found a lot of *bad* ones)

in particular, anything that showed the differences between US, European and Asian markets.

Have been running through google for a while... hope that someone here has some insight (or higher google powers)

Thx!

posted by cloudscratcher to technology (5 comments total)

Well, the GSM coverage map from the GSM Association shows where and what GSM there is (if you go to GSM roaming countries and pick each place). I'm not sure if I've ever seen that sort of map for CDMA or one that combines both, but I might try looking some.
posted by skynxnex at 1:19 PM on June 12, 2006

for theoretical differences between the two main contenders, the wikipedia articles on CDMA and TDMA (the method to GSM's madness) look to be pretty much on target. as far as coverage maps go, there's an analog to the GSM map here but similar to the GSM map, it's one of those corporate advertisement-cum-information type things.

the 'rule of thumb' knowledge i've picked up over the past couple years is that GSM is spoken throughout the world, with the only few stand-out CDMA areas being the states, south korea, and japan (the united states is a bit of an oddity in that it has several (with recent consolidation i guess that 'several' is now more of a 'both') competing standards still more or less neck-and-neck and interoperating in all major markets). (caveat: i am no longer an ardent cell phone enthusiast.)

also, if you're starting on the ground floor as far as cellular understanding goes, i specifically remember the now-dated howstuffworks article being a very informative read.

and last but not least, if you want to read inter-net nerds' bickering about cell phones (a lot are actually pretty knowledgable and it's a good forum to search if you have some trouble), i recommend howardforums.
posted by kaytwo at 2:44 PM on June 12, 2006

Speaking from experience, you're basically better off just getting an unlocked GSM phone that will work in both North America and the rest of the world (tri-band). Unless of course you're traaveling to one of the remote areas, or Korea, where GSM service doesn't exist. eBay is a good source for new and used unlocked phones and phone accessories at decent prices. Chances of getting an unlocked world GSM phone locallly for a good price are slim to none. I always suggest buying from an Asian seller as their prices tend to be as low as %50 less than what you'd pay retail. Even after custome (if they are too stupid to work around it) you'll come out on top.

Your other option is to buy a phone for North America and then another in each of the other regions you travel in. Overseas mobile service is so different than North American that the phones are pretty much disposeable and carry no contracts in most places. Buy one, use it, give it away/sell it cheap when you're done with it.
posted by ChazB at 3:29 AM on June 13, 2006

Its not hard to get a Tri-Band mobile that works anywhere there is GSM service. The issue is getting killed on charges.
posted by JPD at 3:34 AM on June 13, 2006

Voice is pretty much down to Analog (AMPS), CDMA (Verizon and Sprint) and TDMA.

As for Data standards...well there is a dizzying array of arcronyms there GPRS, EDGE, EV-DO...etc.

GSM coverage maps will cover the bulk of world users, but not Verizon and Sprint/Nextel.
posted by jduckles at 8:40 AM on June 13, 2006