GSM Vs CDMA

GSM is an acronym for Groupe Special Mobile, which has now been changed to Global System for Mobile Communication. It boasts of about 80 percent of the total global market share. CDMA refers to Code Division Multiple Access (when it comes to mobile phone systems, CDMA refers to CDMA one and CDMA 2000). The working of GSM and CDMA is very different. Both the technologies have made great progress in the United States cell phone industry. But the end result, after the implementation of the two technologies, is highly similar and matching in many ways. This article will highlight the subtle differences between the two technologies.

GSM vs CDMA Technology

GSM is a very straightforward 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. Earlier, users of both the technologies faced some problems like building penetration of signals, due to which the user had to come out in the open to avoid signal disruption. But later on, both these players have made a great deal of advancements because of which penetration problem doesn't affect the users anymore. However, there do exist some factors which you need to take into consideration when comparing GSM with CDMA. So, what is the difference between GSM and CDMA? Read ahead to find out just that.

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 a honeycomb, and the bees are the signals. This technology was invented by the GSM Association, in 1987. The GSM Association is a global organization committed to develop this technology worldwide.

CDMA Explained
CDMA, which is the prevalent network standard in North America is designed by Qualcomm in the United States. 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.

Comparison Between GSM and CDMA

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 Quality Score: CDMA scores. Goal count 0-1

Carriers: A major difference between GSM and CDMA cell phones is the fact that GSM cell phones use SIM cards, while CDMA cell phones are directly linked to the carrier. So, GSM is one step 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. On the other hand in case of handsets that are enabled by CDMA, you need to change the handset in order to change your service provider.

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

Network: It's an ongoing battle between the two. Both the technologies are continuously improving the qualities of their network and adding various aspects to it as well. So, coverage is no more an issue with both the technologies reaching virtually all corners of the world.

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 areas 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. The CDMA has introduced EVDO or CDMA2000 to cement its position in the market and GSM has introduced EDGE (Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution) to do the same. Both are competing to gain space in this area.

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

Building Penetration: Again, during the 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

Roaming: Most of the GSM carriers have contract with other carriers, because of which they provide the roaming service to their customers without roaming charges. On the other side, very few CDMA carriers provide this facility to their users; and those who do provide it, charge more as compared to their GSM counterparts.

Feature	GSM	CDMA	Scores
Call Quality		✓	0 - 1
Carriers	✓	✓	1 - 1
Network	✓	✓	2 - 2
Worldwide	✓		3 - 2
Battery Life	✓		4 - 2
Coverage	✓	✓	5 - 3
Speed	✓	✓	6 - 4
Building Penetration	✓	✓	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.

Mobile communication has had a huge impact on modern-day industry. GSM and CDMA technologies have unleashed mobile communication worldwide, and the technological competition between GSM and CDMA has resulted in the improvement of services for the user.