Sunday, August 16, 2009

Confusion Over Cellular Technologies May End

By Daniel Stouffer

There has long been a call for a truly global phone in the world of mobile communication. Up until now, two major cellular technologies have dominated, these being GSM and CDMA. However, diverging technologies and a number of other issues have combined to impose restrictions on use.

Strangely, the United States is behind the remainder of the world in terms of availability of cutting edge cell phone service. Two divergent cellular technologies exist in the USA and they have forged a somewhat awkward and fragmented relationship to serve consumers. CDMA and GSM networks coexist in North America, whilst the rest of the world sees fit to rely on the flexibility of the GSM network.

As North America has always been at the forefront of innovation in the field of technology and science, it is difficult to know why the country is not leading the cellular industry. The vast majority of consumers around the world enjoy the GSM network, but for various reasons this is not the case in the USA.

When the North American consumer is getting ready to take an annual vacation to somewhere like the Mediterranean, for example, a lot of confusion exists. For a start, will he or she get cell phone service at all and if so, what about those different cellular technologies?

As confusion surrounds phone interchangeability within the world of cellular technologies, solutions may be around the corner. Newer services and providers can now suggest a combination of Internet protocol and GSM network delivery, doing away with many of the aforementioned restrictions. Hybrid services now make expensive international calls obsolete and extensive services including unlimited calling, data and e-mails will be possible without any roaming prescriptions.

By and large the consumer is usually oblivious to the global confusion within the cellular world, but anticipated innovations will nevertheless provide clear benefits including the elimination of lengthy contractual commitments and a reduction in monthly fees.

In Europe, consumers travel freely between member countries and only have to change out their SIM card within their primary GSM phone for complete flexibility of service.

North America is generally different to the rest of the world and its consumer must be sure that he or she has the latest type of phone, tri band or quad band and that it will work within foreign frequencies.

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