GSM vs CDMA carriers: What's your opinion?

[NunyaBidnez]

Verizon always seems to get the best phones and people say the network is good but I for one would never go with a CDMA carrier because they tend to lock down the hardware and control every aspect of the service. Furthermore, CDMA service is very limited outside of North America which makes a CDMA phone useless in many parts of the world. GSM service is a lot more flexible because phones can be unlocked, carriers don't have to approve a device in order to activate it, and GSM service is available throughout the world.

When choosing a carrier, does it matter to you if it uses GSM or CDMA technology?

 

[Outlaw71]

I've heard that Verizon's LTE network is going to operate on the same tech as AT&T's 4g network. Does this mean they're moving to GSM then? Or does that have nothing to do with it?

I wish Verizon was GSM, but wishing has a long, storied history of bringing people a whole lotta nuthin!

 

[bluenova]

Having always used GSM (being outside of the USA) I have always purchased by phone outright from a shop and inserted the SIM card from my carrier to provide the service. I find the thought of the carrier being responsible for which account is linked to my phone very uncomfortable. I like to be able to switch SIMs between phones as I see fit.

 

[Bob Cat]

Having always used GSM (being outside of the USA) I have always purchased by phone outright from a shop and inserted the SIM card from my carrier to provide the service. I find the thought of the carrier being responsible for which account is linked to my phone very uncomfortable. I like to be able to switch SIMs between phones as I see fit.

I wish Verizon was that way.

 

[NYCHitman1]

CDMA, GSM, w/e.. none of that holds any bearing for me - I just buy whatever suits my needs and tickles my fancy plus, whichever carrier has best coverage in my area.

 

[viber]

It doesn't matter to me.

However, my unit is going to Afghanistan soon, and I will go GSM for deployment.

 

[Bob Cat]

It doesn't matter to me.

However, my unit is going to Afghanistan soon, and I will go GSM for deployment.

I don't care either. I would like to use whatever phone I wanted regardless of service provider.

 

[Stuntman]

I never did much travelling until I met my wife. Her side of the family travels a lot and I tag along. I find it very handy to be able to use my phone in many parts of the world. Althought I don't do as much travelling as my in-laws, I feel it is such a useful feature to be able to use your phone in other countries for those few times you need it.

 

[Guamguy]

GSM is the primary standard for world phones everywhere. Its like having a gas car that uses gasoline while CDMA is the odd diesel car that uses diesel. Its only in a few places in the world, US included, that is locked out of step with its use of CDMA. GSM also associated with UMTS/HSPA standards while CDMA with the EV-DO or CDMA-2000 standard.

 

[Njcellgeek74]

I like the option of swapping phones on a whim, being able to buy unlocked phones and having my contacts on my sim card. GSM is a primary deciding factor for me.

 

[mikedt]

I brought my phone with me from the UK, so it really has to be a GSM carrier. If I wanted to use China Telecom's CDMA network, I would have to get a new phone.