| Below I will explain the following important cell | | | | currently offering a nationwide EDGE /WiFi service |
| phone terms.What is UMTS? Universal mobile | | | | that allows you to truly experience what is is like |
| telephone service.What is GSM? Global system for | | | | to access your email and surf the interent on |
| mobile communications. I quickly learned that with | | | | your mobile smart phone or blackberry device 24 |
| all the trips I take to Asia and Europe having a | | | | hours a day seven days a week anywhere you |
| phone with GSM was critical. GSM means Global | | | | can pick up a cellular signal.What are some of the |
| System for Mobile Communications and is a digital | | | | exciting applications of the higher download speed |
| format used widely in Europe and Asia. In the U.S. | | | | using the Universal mobile telephone service? With |
| only T-Mobile and some AT& T and Cingular | | | | download speed between 220 -- 320 kB per |
| phones use GSM. It keeps calls separate by | | | | second, mobile subscribers will be able to use |
| assigning a slice of time to each carrier. | | | | video to monitor their brand-new baby sitter that |
| What is GPRS? General packet radio | | | | they have just hired for the first-time, be able to |
| service.What is CDMA? Code division multiple | | | | watch digital TV, be able to listen to digital radio |
| access is a digital format used by Sprint, Verizon | | | | and be able to listen to video on demand or music |
| wireless and some other regional carriers. CDMA is | | | | on demand.GPRS is the slowest data service on |
| incompatible with other digital formats. With CDMA | | | | GSM phones. The download speed is only 35 kB |
| each caller is assigned additional code to separate | | | | per second which is comparable to dial-up Internet |
| the calls. Below is a chart that explains the typical | | | | access. It is painfully slow compared to a modem |
| speed of downloading data from the Internet and | | | | cable Internet connection. However for a lot of |
| the network providing it.TDMA: Time Division | | | | non-business users, it is the only affordable option. |
| Multiple Access. The digital format used mainly by | | | | For example, for folks who own blackberry |
| AT&T Wireless and Cingular. TDMA is incompatible | | | | devices, PDAs or Treo Palm one devices, they |
| with other digital formats. TDMA is similar to GSM. | | | | would typically subscribe to a GPRS network |
| SMS: Short Message Service is also known as | | | | which allows them to have text messaging, e-mail |
| text messaging. With SMS I can send a short | | | | and basic wireless application protocol Internet |
| text message from one cell phone to another or | | | | browsing for a similar price that they would be |
| from the Internet to a cell phone. This is great for | | | | paying for their cell phone service calling plans.To |
| attending trade shows. I use it to send a quick | | | | make this a bit easier to understand, below is an |
| message to clients about meeting for coffee, or | | | | example of how long it takes to download 1 |
| at their booth.Network download speed | | | | MB(megabyte) file using the different networks.If |
| (kbps)GPRS 30 to 40Edge 70 to 130UMTS 220 to | | | | you are on the 2G. network, GPRS -- it would |
| 320HSDPA 400 to 700What do all the letters | | | | take a full four minutes to download 1 MB file |
| mean? i HOPE I have explained the cell phone | | | | which to me is a very long time.If you are on a |
| network terms clearly for you. If you are | | | | 2.5 G. network EDGE -- that same file will take 60 |
| business cellular phone subscriber, you will want to | | | | seconds to download.If you are on any 3G. |
| have Internet download speeds ranging from 400 | | | | network, UMTS (Universal mobile telephone |
| -- 700 kB per second. This will be the fastest | | | | service) -- a 1 MB file would take only 40 seconds |
| available cellular broad brand technology allowing | | | | to download.If you are on a 3 G. network, HSDPA |
| you to experience the same Internet speeds as if | | | | -- it would only take 15 seconds to download a |
| you were at home on a wired network. The | | | | one megabyte file. That is significant compared to |
| advantage of being on a UMTS And HSDPA | | | | a full four minutes on a 2G. network.3.5 G. |
| network is you would be able to make data calls | | | | Network is in development, and the download |
| as well of voice calls at the same time on your | | | | speeds would be comparable to what you would |
| mobile. If for example you have a smart phone | | | | get if you were at home or office and you |
| that is on the HSDPA network you'll also be able | | | | subscribed to a cable modem broadband Internet |
| to access any type of Internet information as | | | | service. On a 3.5 G. Network you'll be able to |
| well as using your smart phone as a cell phone. | | | | watch a TV program, download any CD-quality |
| Also, the other benefit is the cost savings from | | | | audio and play video games with other portable |
| the carrier's point of view. Not only is there an | | | | wireless devices on your smart phone or tv or |
| increased efficiency because both the voice and | | | | mp3 cell phone.According to Cingular wireless, |
| data is able to go on a single UMTS network, but | | | | UMTS is available in only six cities currently: |
| many cell phone subscribers will love the savings.If | | | | Seattle, San Francisco, San Diego, Phoenix, Detroit |
| you are impatient, you probably would not be | | | | and Dallas. By early 2006, the above cities will be |
| happy with the speed of the GPRS network at | | | | upgraded to HSDPA. And eventually there will be |
| only 35 kB per second, it is like watching a snail | | | | 15 to 20 cities where Cingular wireless will offer |
| perform a 4 minute run when downloading only 1 | | | | UMTS/HSdPA.Learning the cell phone language has |
| megabyte file. You will be perhaps happier with | | | | brought me in touch with what my own cellular |
| the enhanced data rates for GSM evolution or | | | | needs are as well as for my clients. Most of the |
| EDGE service by Cingular wireless. The typical | | | | work I do is from my vehicle, so I can't wait until |
| download speed is from 70 to 130 kB per second. | | | | a nationwide carrier will be able to offer wireless |
| Therefore allowing you to download photos, send | | | | Internet access while I'm traveling in my car at |
| photo messaging, access high-speed color Internet | | | | 60 kph. I currently own a PDA as well as a cell |
| access, send or receive video and music clips, and | | | | phone, at the end of the day I feel like a clown |
| access your e-mail. This is ideal for business | | | | performing a juggling act.Source: Pocket PC |
| people, because the download speeds are much | | | | November 2005, Consumer Reports digital buying |
| faster than dial-up. If you are working in an | | | | guide 2004. |
| corporate environment, Cingular wireless is | | | | |