Difference Between CDMA and GSM Mobiles Phones

CDMA an GSM are mobile communication standards. Let’s know about the main differences among mobile phones based on these two industry standards. Also learn the full form of CDMA, full form of GSM and full form SIM in context of the mobile phones.

Many of those people who are planning to buy a mobile phone think hard whether to go for a CDMA phone or a GSM phone. The question is pretty understandable and a good one too. Most people do not understand the difference between CDMA and GSM phones. Both these technologies have been in market for quite some time with a number of service providers offering attractive packages.


Full Form of CDMA, GSM and SIM in Mobile Technologies



First let’s begin by knowing the full forms of these acronyms:

    Full form of CDMA is Code Division Multiple Access
    Full form of GSM is Global System for Mobile communications, but originally from Groupe Spécial Mobile
    Full form of SIM is Subscriber Identity Module

Although, globally GSM is more used but in the United States of America CDMA is more popular than GSM. Some of the CDMA providers in various countries are: Verizon (USA), Bell Mobility (USA) and MTS Mobility (USA), Reliance (India) and BSNL (India) etc. Worldwide availability of GSM makes it more accessible in terms of international roaming. Some of the GSM providers around the globe are: Cell C (South Africa), Idea (India), Vodafone (multiple countries), AT&T (USA) and T-Mobile (UK) etc.



First of all, we need to understand that CDMA and GSM are not really technologies but the industry standards / specifications for wireless communication. At present, GSM (short form for Global System for Mobile communications, but originally from Groupe Spécial Mobile) specification holds the lion’s share in market. With more than 80% of world market share, usage of GSM is miles ahead of CDMA. The acronym CDMA stands for Code Division Multiple Access.

In practical terms, the most important difference between these two is that the CDMA is a handset based standard. This means that you can not use just any mobile phone –you need to go to market and buy a CDMA phone from a carrier who providers CDMA service. So it is like that your phone number is bound to a handset. Whereas in case of GSM, only SIM card is bound to the phone number and, as a result, you are free to change your mobile phone anytime –you just need to remove SIM card from old phone and insert it in the new phone.

Mobile phone market is full of CDMA and GSM phones

Mobile phone market is full of CDMA and GSM phones

Now let’s get into more technical details. Every CDMA mobile phone has a specific code associated with it. One blanket network covers all the CDMA devices within its coverage area and the device is identified by the associated code. In case of GSM mobile network, each SIM is served by a cell tower whose area the SIM card arrives in. Therefore, the SIM card’s serving tower keeps changing as your drive through a city. This mechanism requires installation of an appropriate number of cellular towers to cover a big area (as that of a city).

GSM vs CDMA: Table of Comparison

Let’s now do a tabular and concise comparison among these two communication standards.

Parameter


GSM


CDMA

Acronym Full Form


Global System for Mobile communications


Code Division Multiple Access

Phone Number Binding


With SIM card


With mobile handset

Data Storage


Data is stored in SIM card


Phone’s internal memory

Phone Change


You’re free to buy any handset from market


Handset is changed through service provider

Data Transfer Technologies


EDGE/HSDPA


EVDO/3G/4G/LTE

Transfer Speed


A wee bit slower -but catching up fast


Faster

Battery Consumption


Consume less power


Consume more power

Availability


Covers almost the entire globe


Mainly in USA and parts of Asia

Market Share


Approx 80%


Approx 20%

International Roaming


Very good


CDMA is not available all over the globe (so if you fly around the world, GSM could be a better choice for you)

 Frequency Band


From 850 MHz to 1900 MHz


Only 850 MHz

I hope now your concept of of a CDMA and GSM phone is clear. CDMA is phasing out of the world with GSM taken over most of the market. However, you still get CDMA mobile services. In India, for example, Reliance is still providing CDMA service.