GSM Vs CDMA

What is the difference between GSM and CDMA? The comparison of GSM vs CDMA is very
useful and interesting from buyer's as well as student's perspective. The following article on
GSM vs CDMA will help you to understand the differences between these two technologies.

GSM is an acronym for Groupe Special Mobile, which has now been changed to Global System
for Mobile Communication. CDMA refers to Code Division Multiple Access. The working of
GSM and CDMA is very different. But the end result, after the implementation of the two
technologies, is highly similar and matching in many ways. This article will try to highlight the
subtle differences between the two technologies.

GSM vs CDMA Technology

GSM is a very straight forward standard, whereas, CDMA is somewhat complicated. The key
difference between the two is that GSM is a standard and CDMA is a technology, but GSM has
attained some technology status over the years. So, what is the difference between GSM and
CDMA? Read on to find out.

GSM Explained
GSM is a 'cellular' technology, that is, the entire coverage area is divided into various hexagonal
shaped cells (hence the popular name 'cell phones'). Every cell has a corresponding network
tower, which serves the mobile phones in that cellular area. For example: Imagine a honeycomb
on a tree in a hexagonal shaped garden. The garden has many flowers. The honeybees collect the
nectar from the flowers, and deposit it in the honeycomb. Your mobile phones are like the
flowers, the network tower is like honeycomb, and the bees are the signals.

CDMA Explained
As the name suggests (Code Division Multiple Access), there are many devices which use the
same spread spectrum (hence multiple access). There is one physical channel, and a special code
for every device in the coverage network. Using this code, the signal of the device is
multiplexed, and the same physical channel is used to send the signal (the codes may or may not
change). For example: There is a street on which many buses ply. Obviously, the bus will have
many commuters, and they will have to buy the tickets to travel on the bus. In CDMA, the
commuter is like your mobile phone, the tickets are your codes, the bus is a multiplexed carrier
signal, and the street is the spread spectrum.

GSM vs CDMA Comparison

Call Quality: This is an area where CDMA scores substantially over GSM. Statistics are hugely
in favor of CDMA. Various factors such as echoes, call dropping, or voice distortion are almost
non-existent in CDMA, whereas in GSM, there is a high probability of errors. To give you an
analogy, the bus on the street will continue to ply even when it's full, but if the honeycomb has
reached full capacity, the honey cannot be deposited.

GSM vs CDMA Call Qality Score: CDMA scores. Goal count 0-1.

Carriers: GSM is one up on CDMA as far as carriers are concerned. The law requires CDMA
carriers to provide handsets to users, for which the users cannot change their carriers. Whereas,
GSM users can change their carriers whenever they want.

GSM vs CDMA Carriers Score: GSM scores. Goal count 1-1.

Network: It's an on-going battle between the two. Both the technologies are continuously
improving the qualities of their network and adding various aspects to it as well.

GSM vs CDMA Network Score: Both score. Goal count 2-2.

Worldwide: There is a special number that every GSM compatible device in the world can call
in case of an emergency. That number is 112. But in CDMA, this cannot be implemented
because of certain technological limitations.

GSM vs CDMA Worldwide Score: GSM scores. Goal count 3-2

Battery Life: GSM, being a relatively simpler technology, uses less amount of cell phone battery than
CDMA.

GSM vs CDMA Battery Life Score: GSM scores. Goal count 4-2

Coverage: GSM and CDMA, both have similar network coverage areas. They are present almost
everywhere. The service providers of both technologies are striving hard to cover whatever inches that
are left.

GSM vs CDMA Coverage Score: Both score. Goal count 5-3

Speed: Both GSM and CDMA are rapidly improving their capabilities in this regard. Both have introduced
3G mobile phones in their fold. Both are competing to gain space in this area.

GSM vs CDMA Speed Score: Both score. Goal count 6-4

Building Penetration: Again, in initial days, both technologies couldn't find building penetration, but
after research in signaling systems, and through experience, service providers of both technologies have
been able to give decent service to the mobile phones in buildings.

GSM vs CDMA Penetration Score: Both score. Goal count 7-5

GSM vs CDMA: Which is Better?

Both have their good qualities and bad qualities. GSM has some limitations where call quality is
concerned, but GSM can be easily implemented and easily integrated into existing technology. Whereas,
CDMA is little difficult to implement. By my estimation, GSM has an upper hand. So, the answer to the
question, "GSM vs CDMA which is better?" is GSM. More on: