Making Sense of it All - GSM vs. CDMA phones!

                    + AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, US Cellular, T-Mobile... So many carriers - will this phone work for me?

  GSM vs CDMA - Phone Frequencies

Wireless carriers in the United States operate over two different networks: Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) and Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM). Though each technology transmits voice and data, they do so in different ways, making a phone incompatible if you do not have the right plan. As a result, you can't take a CDMA phone and use it on GSM or vice versa. GSM phones can be taken to use in other countries as well (as long as the frequency is compatible - please see section below on dual band / tri band / quad band phones).

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Verizon, Sprint, Nextel, Cricket and Alltel all operate using CDMA networks. The item description will say the CDMA carrier that the phone will work on. If the description says works for Verizon the phone will only work on the Verizon network, and the same for Sprint, Alltel, Alaska Wireless, etc. Newer smartphone models are now dual CDMA and GSM compatible. Some CDMA phones such as the Blackberry Storm and the Blackberry Tour can be unlocked to be used on GSM phone networks such as AT&T, T-Mobile, etc. 

Cingular, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Rogers Wireless and many other Global GSM Provider worldwide operate on a "GSM" network. If the phone specifically says "guaranteed to work with AT&T" for example, the phone is currently "locked" and will only work with AT&T and the same for T-Mobile and so on. These phones generally can easily be unlocked to be used with any GSM carrier that uses a sim card for a small fee (ranging from $8-$20) and the ability to unlock the phone depends on the model of phone you purchase.

GSM "Unlocked" Phones -

If the phone states "Unlocked" in the title and / or description you can just take out your sim card from your existing GSM phone and place it into another unlocked GSM phone. If the description says unlocked , you can use it on any GSM network worldwide. Only GSM phones can be unlocked so please look for the word GSM in the description. Also, you must make sure that the frequencies supported by the phone are compatible with your current wireless provider. Listed below are a few of the more popular carriers and the frequencies they operate on. You may just want to do a quick google search to see what frequency a specific phone / carrier operates on to assure you will have the clearest reception with your phone. CDMA carriers such as Verizon are making some of their phones GSM compatible, by making the phones SIM card capable so they can be used globally. 

What does Dual Band and Tri Band mean? Or even Quad Band? Where in The World can I use that phone!?

Unlocked Vs. Locked Phones

Can my Verizon / Alltel / Sprint / Nextel phone be unlocked?

Can my AT&T / Cingular / T-Mobile / Rogers  phone be unlocked?

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If any of this still does not make sense to you, please feel free to shoot us an email and we will be happy to do our very best to assist you with your purchase.
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