International Wireless Coverage Is A Misnomer? | The Communication Blog

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

International Wireless Coverage Is A Misnomer?

By Daniel Stouffer

It can be difficult to really understand the ins and outs of the cellular phone business, even though we do consider ourselves to be connected and in tune with the latest technology. However, if we ask ourselves why phones work in some places and not in others, or why different providers are not interchangeable, we start to get confused and the situation compounds itself when we start to talk about international wireless coverage.

Cell service providers seem to be at different ends of the spectrum when it comes to what is available within the United States. It's difficult to know why it is so fragmented and why there is such a level of confusion. However, the established players may well lose out should the consumer come across a simpler to understand alternative down the road.

International wireless coverage is something of a misnomer, as there are only certain circumstances where you can expect to get a seamless service. Many people in the United States possess phones which operate on the CDMA network and this includes a number of the established carriers.

It easy to understand why there is so much confusion when you think about it. A certain phone will work on only certain networks and may only operate on certain frequencies according to your geographical location, for example. To get the best chance of international wireless coverage you will need a GSM phone and in turn it must not be locked. Your service provider should not restrict its use in this way, if you are to get the best freedom.

These days there are exciting developments on the horizon, as new providers and carriers will likely combine Internet protocol with existing cellular technology to give you far superior service. Expect enhancements in connectivity, speed and a variety of new options.

If you know that you will be traveling to a foreign country, your GSM phone is the best bet. As it uses a SIM card, a small computer chip loaded with your personal data and contact details, you should be able to simply buy a replacement card at your destination, should your phone be unlocked. To enable you to tune into the various frequencies found outside of the USA, the phone will need to be a tri-band or quad band model.

Unfortunately, many US phones will not work if you plan to travel internationally as the CDMA network is barely existent outside of North America. By far the most dominant network in the world is the GSM network which is reputed to work in about 220 countries globally. You have more chance of attaining international wireless coverage if you have a GSM compatible phone.

Major changes are ahead as new solutions emerge and as hybrid services are offered. A lot of the restrictions currently in place will go away as new phones will be able to operate universally. Hybrid technology could bring international wireless coverage to the masses.

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