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  1. #1
    dannylan
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    Hi!

    I'm familiar with GSM but not with CDMA. I see that several carriers in the USA use CDMA (MetroPCS, Alltel, Cricket, etc), my questions are:

    a) Do CDMA phones use a chip card (SIM) like GSM?

    If yes:

    b) Can the SIM be changed for another one from a different CDMA provider (e.g., you're with MetroPCS but want to change to Cricket but use the same phone you already have)? This can easily be done with GSM providers as long as the phone is "unblocked" and I wonder if it's the same case with CDMA carriers.

    Best!
    Danny


    See More: CDMA vs. GSM




  2. #2
    nicknrm
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    Re: CDMA vs. GSM

    CDMA carriers do not use SIM Cards.

    A common misconception is that SIM Cards are built into CDMA phones. This couldn't be farther from the truth! CDMA phones simply do not use SIM Cards.
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  3. #3
    dannylan
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    Re: CDMA vs. GSM

    I see Nick, I always thought that SIM cards were already builted in the CDMA phone.

    But see the definition of CDMA in webopedia.com, it states:

    "Because Qualcomm created communications chips for CDMA technology..."

    Why does it mention "chips" then?

    Best!
    Danny



  4. #4
    nicknrm
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    Re: CDMA vs. GSM

    A chip would be an antenna.

    Quote Originally Posted by dannylan View Post
    I see Nick, I always thought that SIM cards were already builted in the CDMA phone.

    But see the definition of CDMA in webopedia.com, it states:

    "Because Qualcomm created communications chips for CDMA technology..."

    Why does it mention "chips" then?

    Best!
    Danny
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  5. #5
    misterSelf
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    Re: CDMA vs. GSM

    Nick is correct, but it is important to note that CDMA providers can use R-UIM cards (basically SIM cards). I believe the ones in Asia do. It's just that the CDMA providers on this side of the pond do not use R-UIM cards. Also, some carriers, like VZW, do carry dual network phones (i.e., phones that run on both GSM and CDMA), but these phones are mostly for international use only. I realize that this adds to the confusion, but I just don't want to perpetuate the idea that SIM cards (or R-UIM cards) are exclusive to GSM carriers or a specific technology. Nextel's iDen network, for example, also uses SIM cards.
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  6. #6
    dannylan
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    Re: CDMA vs. GSM

    Quote Originally Posted by nicknrm View Post
    A chip would be an antenna.
    Oh! Got it, thanks for clearing that up Nick.

    Quote Originally Posted by Aurakles View Post
    Nick is correct, but it is important to note that CDMA providers can use R-UIM cards (basically SIM cards). I believe the ones in Asia do. It's just that the CDMA providers on this side of the pond do not use R-UIM cards. Also, some carriers, like VZW, do carry dual network phones (i.e., phones that run on both GSM and CDMA), but these phones are mostly for international use only. I realize that this adds to the confusion, but I just don't want to perpetuate the idea that SIM cards (or R-UIM cards) are exclusive to GSM carriers or a specific technology. Nextel's iDen network, for example, also uses SIM cards.
    Hi Aurakles -- Thanks for the data! I Googled "R-UIM" and found this interesting definition: wisegeek.com/what-is-a-ruim-card.htm, you're right, R-UIMs have been in use in China since 2002.

    You said:

    "Nextel's iDen network, for example, also uses SIM cards"

    So you can swap cards from one Nextel to another just like GSM?

    Best!
    Danny
    Last edited by dannylan; 04-10-2009 at 07:48 PM. Reason: Auto-merged Double post



  7. #7
    misterSelf
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    Re: CDMA vs. GSM

    Quote Originally Posted by dannylan View Post
    So you can swap cards from one Nextel to another just like GSM?
    Good question. I have never used Nextel (have all other four major carriers: Sprint, T-Mobile, VZW, and AT&T), but I assume that's how it works.



  8. #8
    rmartinez9962
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    Re: CDMA vs. GSM

    Question: I have a GSM Gateway at the office and a GSM router at home. The only two GSM providers that I am able to use today is AT&T and T-Mobile. Do you think there will be other MNO's in the U.S. that will eventually offer GSM capabilities AND do the other MNO's here in the states have GSM - SIM card capabilities in other countries (VZW, SPRINT for instance) whereby I might be able to use these two devices?



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