After working with Windows Mobile and wireless for many years I still hear questions from users about cellular wireless data capabilities and limitations. This article will help explain what data options are available and the characteristics to consider when making a purchasing decision.
Cellular technology overview
Before we begin to focus on the wireless data you will need to know what types of cellular technology your cellular carrier offers. In the United State, there are two competing standards for cellular data. The first is called CDMA, which evolved from the first cellular service offered. The second is called GSM, which was the first digital service. GSM is the standard adopted by the rest of the world. With a few exceptions, GSM phones will work with both U.S. and overseas GSM networks.
Cellular Provider: Cingular
Cellular Technology: GSM
Cellular Provider: Nextel
Cellular Technology: GSM
Cellular Provider: Sprint
Cellular Technology: CDMA
Cellular Provider: T-Mobile
Cellular Technology: GSM
Cellular Provider: Verizon
Cellular Technology: CDMA
Cellular providers support one of the two extent technologies.
What do 1G, 2G and 3G mean?
When the data capabilities of a cellular network are being discussed, you may hear or see them described as incorporating 2G or 3G technology. G refers to generation of wireless data capability that the network offers, with 3G being faster than 2G (and 1G no longer available). Occasionally some vendors will refer to intermediate increases in performance with fractional designations such as 2.5G.
Generation: 1G
CDMA Technology: Analog Cellular (Discontinued)
CDMA Speed: 19.2k
GSM Technology: None
GSM Speed: N/A
Generation: 2G
CDMA Technology: 1xRTT
CDMA Speed: 128k
GSM Technology: GPRS, EDGE
GSM Speed: 40k, 160k
Generation: 3G
CDMA Technology: EV-DO
CDMA Speed: 500-700k
GSM Technology: UMTS (WCDMA)
GSM Speed: 2,000k
Different generations of Cellular service come via different technologies, depending on whether they are CDMA-based or GSM-based.
The carriers have chosen acronyms like 1xRTT, EV-DO, GPRS, EDGE and UMTS to describe the data services they offer on their network. What you really have to know is whether the network uses CDMA or GSM technology and how fast its data capabilities are. The following table describes the data services currently offered by carriers.
CDMA carriers: Sprint
2G: 1xRTT
3G: EV-DO
CDMA carriers: Verizon
2G: 1xRTT
3G: EV-DO
GSM carriers: Cingular
2G: GPRS, EDGE
3G: UMTS
GSM carriers: Nextel
2G: GPRS
3G: n/a
GSM carriers: T-Mobile
2G: GPRS, UMTS
3G: n/a
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