What is GSM and Why Should I Get a GSM Cell Phone?
GSM (Global Standard for Mobile):
Today's GSM platform is a hugely successful wireless technology and an unprecedented story of global achievement. In less than ten years since the first GSM network was commercially launched, it became the world's leading and fastest growing mobile standard, spanning over 200 countries.
Today, GSM technology is in use by more than one in six of the world's population and it is estimated that at the end of Jan 2004 there were over 1 billion GSM subscribers across more than 200 countries of the world.
The growth of GSM continues unabated with more than 160 million new customers in the last 12 months. Since 1997, the number of GSM subscribers has increased by a staggering 10 fold.
One of the most attractive features of GSM is that it is a very secure network. All communications, both speech and data, are encrypted to prevent eavesdropping.
GSM subscribers are identified by their Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card. This holds their identity number and authentication key and algorithm as well as all the saved contacts information. This means that any time you will change your phone to a new GSM phone, you just need to switch your SIM card into the new device and all you contacts are easily uploaded.
How do I know if I have a TDMA or GSM Cell Phone?
AT&T Wireless TDMA multi-network cell phones are digital cellular phones without a SIM card. Remove the battery and if there is no AT&T Wireless SIM card (small blue chip) then you have a TDMA Cell Phone. Most popular models are: Motorola V60, V60i, V120, V2397, C333, C353, Nokia 3360, 3361, 5160, 5195, 6160, 6162, 7160, 8260, 8265, 8860, 2260, 3560, 6560, Ericsson T60, R289LX, Panasonic Versio and Allure, Mitsubishi T250.
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