Cellular phone service primarily works with one of two types of network technology: the CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) or GSM (Group System for Mobile Communication). The GSM Association is an international organization founded in 1987, dedicated to providing, developing, and overseeing the worldwide wireless standard of GSM. CDMA, a proprietary standard designed by Qualcomm in the United States, has been the dominant network standard for North America and parts of Asia. The GSM technology is growing rapidly in the US market, while CDMA is more popular in rest of the world.
When you buy a new cellular service, you are given a unique subscriber identity module card (SIM card). This SIM card is the powering tool to your connection. The service provider’s network recognizes the SIM card and accesses it when you either make calls or receive them.
In today’s super competitive market there is hardly any difference in the tariff rates and facilities provided by different service providers. It is up to you to choose a particular cellular service provider. After Cingular and AT&T wireless joined hands, they became the major cellular service provider in the US, with around 50 million subscribers, followed by Verizon, Sprint, and so on. GSM technology is the basis for the Cingular and AT&T wireless service, which is more popular in the US. These service providers offer customers new and enhanced features as part of their service package.
With technological changes, cellular phones are now multi-faceted. Modern handsets do more than just let you talk. They can stream video, and act as podcasting receivers and e-mail devices. With several attractive features, cell phone service providers are competing to offer the best handsets along with connections to attract customers. The market is so competitive that providers drop rates often, to keep attracting customers.