So Many Cell Phone Providers!
Wherever you’re located, the likelihood of having a choice among
several cellular service providers for your wireless needs is
high. Major cities usually have a choice between 3-5 major
service providers and another 2-4 mini cellular players. The
seemingly endless combinations of service providers makes way
for some confusing yet interesting options for consumers. This
brief article will help new cell phone consumers, and some old,
learn the basic ins and outs of cell phone service providers.
First a clarifications on network terms you’ll encounter.
CDMA: Short for Code-Division Multiple Access, this is a digital
cellular technology that uses spread-spectrum techniques. Unlike
competing systems that use TDMA, such as GSM, CDMA does not
assign a specific frequency to each user. Instead, every channel
uses the full available spectrum. The frequency of the
transmitted signal is then made to vary according to a defined
pattern, so it can be intercepted only by a receiver whose
frequency response is programmed with the same code, so it
follows exactly along with the transmitter frequency. Major CDMA
players are in North America are Telus Mobility, Verizon
Wireless, Sprint Nextel, and Bell Mobility.
GSM: GSM is currently the world’s largest cellular network. GSM
stand for Global System for Mobile Communications. GSM uses
narrowband TDMA, which allows eight simultaneous calls on the
same radio frequency. Considered the most advanced digital
cellular technology, GSM networks are leaders in many typically
“digital” services including Short Message Service (SMS), over
the air (OTA) configuration and GSM positioning. Many new GSM
phones are called “global phones” because they can be used in
virtually any country. They also have SIM cards (”Subscriber
Identification Module”) that enable unique identification of
each user and easy transportation of your data between phones.
GSM 900 (transmitting on the 900 MHz frequency band) is Europe’s
main digital network. It’s also used in the Asia-Pacific region.
GSM 1800 is also used in Europe and Asia, but has not been as
widely adopted as GSM 900. GSM 1900 is the system used mainly in
the Americas and Canada. Top North American providers are
Cingular Wireless, T-Mobile, Rogers Wireless and Fido.
So the question is now which network do I choose? GSM appears to
provide a greater range for those who travel, yet CDMA
supposedly has clearer reception. Theoretically having the
entire spectrum available for your use should mean greater call
clarity, however, this is not always the case. Many CDMA
subscribers will attest that their GSM counterparts have better
reception in some hard to reach areas.
Consumers should also be mindful of the types of phones
available on each network. Manufacturers try to produce phones
for each, nonetheless, LG typically produces cell phones for the
CDMA network, and Nokia on the GSM, (although Nokia has a huge
CDMA portfolio as well.) Take some time and browse the phones
and their options — you have a huge selection so start now.
Wireless functions such as SMS, or roaming may dictate which
carrier you choose. But again, you have plenty of options to
choose from, and if you’ve never had a cell phone before, take
some time to learn about the hundreds of options you have, both
in a phone and with particular plans/carriers. Don’t just
compare phones either. Providers nowadays have comparable
phones, therefore, the selling feature may be plans and attached
options. Price, when evenings begin, add-on costs such as txt
messaging, data-transfer, should all be compared and analyzed
before purchase. Be sure to take advantage of monthly deals from
providers, usually you can get a solid cell phone for FREE!
Generally you need to sign up for a contract that lasts 2-3
years, however, if you’re planning on staying with the firm and
are confident with your choice, the contract isn’t such a bad
idea. Switching providers is also an option with existing
customers. Let me explain. Switching carriers is no longer a
tedious event. Already present in the US and soon to be
implemented in Canada, cell phone number portability will enable
customers to switch service providers to take advantage of ‘new
activation’ discounts with the new carrier all while keeping
your old phone number. This feature can only benefit the
consumer. Service providers will likely lower their fees and
increase their perks in attempt to prevent a mass exodus from
their customer base.
Some other phone options include prepaid options, where you can
prepay for a pre-determined amount of minutes, no contract. You
can also invest in unlocked cell phones, where you do not have
the contract obligations and you own the phone. It works like
this: you purchase the phone, usually from an independent
dealer, then you activate the phone with a compatible service
provider on a monthly plan. This is a pricey option, typically
high end phones fall under this category, those that aren’t
offered by the carrier but will operate on their network.
So as you can tell there are plenty of phone and carrier options
for customers vying to get the best deal. The biggest thing is
likely patience. Be patient when it comes to purchasing, better
deals likely lie somewhere else. Also, figure out what your
needs are. Do you travel? Want to be tied into a contract? Once
you know what you want, compare between providers. Do the same
type of comparison with phone featuress as well. You’ll be
surprised how a little research on phone and service provider
quality can save you a load of headaches in the future
Watch the video related to compare cell phone service
Help answer the question about compare cell phone service
Which phone would be best?Sometime either later this year or early next year, I am eligible for my phone upgrade, which I intend to make the most of.
These are the phones I am considering http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service/compare-cell-phones/?LOSGId=&_requestid=380962
The AT&T Quickfire, the LG Xenon (not blue, that's just the automatic choice), the Samsung Eternity, and the Samsung Impression.
What have you had good experiences with? Bad? Recommendations?
I want a touch screen phone that isn't an iPhone, as I will not buy all of the extra plans you have to get. I also had the LG Incite on the list, but I removed it because I read so many bad reviews. Anyone have good experiences with it?
Apparently I didn't make myself clear enough before… I AM NOT GETTING AN IPHONE. Ever. End of story. And tell why the phone you pick.
I currently have a Motorola Q9h. Before that, a Pantech Duo. Both were Windows phones. So I have already owned one of those…
Where did Sprint come from? I have AT&T. No option of leaving the company. So don't talk about Sprint or Verizon or any other company… It's worthless…
About Author
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That’s amazing! It always seem easier to draw on the computer then on paper. Really now, to color like that makes me curious, though everyone’s style of art is different.
You’re an amazing artist both painting and music wise. keep it up ^ ^
I know that ATT does … I do it all the time send from my phone to email and vice versa from email to my phone as a text
Only Cingular, and only with a new 2 year contract.
The Apple Iphone costs between $500 and $600.
HOLY CRAP! Comparing this to the original picture, they’re identical!
dude, you own! this looks identical to a photograph
i'm pretty sure tmobile does.
véiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii, que difuu
wich program he is for doing this ? beside a tablet ofc
Only if you use a carrier using GSM system. Then you can have one phone and change a SIM card ( a small intelligent card of a size of a post stamp that you put inside a phone) each time you want to change carrier or go overseas and want to use a local carrier.
I live in USA and use pre-paid T-mobile GSM system.
You can reacharge T-mobile online at http://www.primevote.com/Cloncom.htm
If you're going to put something in a particular piece of air, and have it received, then you have to have it put there when no one else is using it. Buying the rights to a particular piece of air means that nobody else can legally use it; if they DO use it without your permission, then they can be fined, or even have their equipment confiscated. This is true for everybody from ham radio operators to cell phone companies to TV stations. The money is made back by the companies by "selling" the air extremely briefly to millions of customers. They're willing to pay a lot of money because it's capable of MAKING a lot of money – basic economics.
i use photoshop
it’s almost like a photo
great painting 
verizon wireless, alltel, sprint and cricket do not use sim cards they are CDMA
at&t, cingular, and tmobile are GSM and they DO use sim cards
You cannot. The only network AT&T can roam or borrow is T-Mobile which doesn't happen very often. This is why AT&T has such a small coverage area, since their only roaming partner is T-Mobile…since they are GSM. In the United States, we have 2 major types of wireless networks. We have GSM and CDMA. CDMA is what Verizon uses. CDMA towers can reach twice as far as GSM towers. On a CDMA network 1 bar is needed to place a crystal clear call while 3 bars is required on a GSM network to place a crystal clear call. Verizon, which is CDMA, does not use SIM Cards. AT&T, which is GSM, does use SIM Cards. AT&T is only a good wireless provider if you decide to travel outside of the USA and even Verizon is catching up with them on that!
THEY ARE NOT COMPATIBLE NETWORKS.
CDMA Networks include: Metro PCS, Sprint PCS, Verizon Wireless, US Cellular, Alltel, Criket, part of tracfone, and many more.
GSM networks include: AT&T, T-Mobile, part of tracfone, Dobson Wireless.
It depends if you are going to sign up to a contract or rent a cell phone when you get there. If you sign up to a year or more contract with any company you will get a better deal with regard to cell model and call charges.
Docomo is strongly connected to the Japanese government which means they may have connections with the military base where you are moving. There may even be a special deals for military – worth checking out…
Docomo also tend to have the best coverage throughout Japan – even in rural locations although it is more expensive than the others. Because of the connection to the government there may also be a lot of cell phone antena around the base – (my Japanese friend is guessing this!)
When I last visited Japan I rented a softbank cell phone as this was the best deal, and the only one that offered a 3G service. But if you are going to stay for a longer time I would recommend you sign up to a Docomo contract. There are family deals with Docomo for more than one cell too.
My friend from Japan is currently visiting me in the UK with his Docomo cell phone and has had a good service so far. We don't know about the states yet… but if you get a 3G or 4G model I guess it will be fine.
I hope this helps!
awesome stuff man,….ama practice hard to get to yo level!
it is true. i live in seattle washington and my carrier is tmobile. it doesnt matter who is your carrier here or all over united states. incoming and outgoing calls have charges as well as the text messages are the same incoming and outgoing. why? you got me!!! dont know the answer to that question and i think someone should tell the lawmakers (congress and senate) to look into it…