20 Years of GSM and SMS 157
udas writes "Two thirds of the world's population, 4 billion people, use cell phones today, and all of them have access to SMS. Groupe Spécial Mobile (GSM), set up in 1982, created the GSM standard, leading to a unified, open, standard-based mobile network. SMS, up to 160 7-bit character messages sent over control channels (when they aren't busy), was part of the original GSM specification itself. The first GSM handsts were approved for sale in May 1992. But it was not until 1996, when pay-as-you-go SIM cards showed up, and the kids got their hands on it, that SMS gained popularity."
Re:all on GSM? (Score:5, Informative)
Re:all on GSM? (Score:5, Informative)
GSM is nearly ubiquitous in developing countries. I've been to a significant number of 3rd world (and 2nd) and GSM has been the prevailing standard with an occasional CDMA set showing up.
Isn't everyone except the US GSM (Score:4, Informative)
I mean, with probably a few exceptions?
I've always liked GSM because it is easy to swap out simcards, while CDMA seems to flash the information into the phone making it much harder to reuse...
Re:Still alive (Score:5, Informative)
I'd say GSM has a number of features that are far useful for a clued customer than CDMA. Of course, in theory the differences will go away when companies move to LTE and one stream for communications (as opposed to separated voice/data.) A couple points:
Yes, I can keep my Internet connection going while using my BT headpiece and talking with a friend. Very simple, but CDMA, you talk, or use the packet radio; not both.
If the device is unlocked, I can used whatever the heck I feel like on a GSM network. Switching between my iPhone and Android phone is just a SIM card swap away. With CDMA companies, I have to call them and plead for them to switch the number to that phone, and IIRC, unless you bought the device from that provider, they will laugh in your face.
The US CDMA standard is a crippled implementation. Everywhere else in the world, the CDMA standard uses R/UIM cards. This allows people to use whatever cell phone they want, just like with GSM (provided the phone is unlocked.) This also prevents phones from other countries being used in the US.
I like GSM for the ability to use an unlocked phone I bought anywhere in the world in the US. The phone may crawl along at EDGE speed, but at least it can be used, unlike CDMA phones which have to be tossed, if one wants to change providers.