CDMA confusion

[Abhinav M S]

What is difference between CDMA SIM and GSM SIM ? Which has more speed ?

@x720: Reliance has an unlimited data/calls/texts plan for 949 on CDMA.
This sounded like an interesting plan. Is there an FUP and what is the average download speed ?

Is CDMA SIM bundled with the phone ?

I looked at my phones specification and it says

2G Network

GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - D6603, D6643, D6653, D6616
​

3G Network

HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 - D6603, D6643, D6653, D6616
​

4G Network

LTE 700/800/850/900/1700/1800/1900/2100/2600 (1/2/3/4/5/7/8/13/17/20) - D6603
LTE 700/800/850/900/1700/1800/1900/2100/2600(1/2/3/4/5/7/8/17/20) - D6643
LTE 700 / 850 / 900 / 1800 / 2100 / 2600 - D6653LTE 700 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 - D6616​

Will Xperia Z3 support CDMA SIM ?

 

[x720]

I had actually posted quite a bit. Sadly, tapatalk crashed, and typing everything again would be a pain.

So, in a nutshell:

CDMA and GSM are competing network technologies. CDMA in India runs on the 800MHz band, and this allows for better coverage as compared to GSM for the same number of towers. CDMA data/voice plans are invariably cheaper than GSM, but handset availability is a major issue.

MTS, Reliance and TATA run CDMA networks in India. The latter two having GSM networks too, in addition.

Mblaze, Photon and Netconnect operate on CDMA networks. However, the dongles for the same are network locked, and cannot be used across other CDMA networks. Mblaze, Photon and Netconnect are sim-less. CDMA providers also sell SIMs separately (the reliance plan I mentioned is for such CDMA prepaid sims). These SIMs can be used in unlocked CDMA dongles (like the one I'd posted). However, you cannot opt for Mblaze (999 for 40gb), Photon and Netconnect(999 for 40gb) specific plans on this sims.

Here are some CDMA data plans:

reliance - 94/123/256 for 1/1.5/4gb
tata - 94/125/256 for 1/1.5/4gb

reliance - 949/2799/4999 for 1/3/6 months - unlimited everything
tata doesn't have such plans.

No idea about MTS data plans.

So, all in all, while the unlocked dongle will allow you to test all three networks; only reliance CDMA plans are worthwhile.

For the mts 999 - 40 gb, you will need an mblaze locked dongle.

The Z3 is not a CDMA phone.

CDMA 2G is known as 1X and CDMA 3G is known as EV-DO. EVDO supports a max download speed of 3.1mbps for Revision A, and 14.7mbps for revision B. Speed is purely dependent on network performance in your area.

 

[ghpk]

To Add to X720 points,

CDMA came with a Bang, but lost its charm gradually,
India has Complete Majority of GSM based operators and CDMA has always lagged.
Coverage of CDMA offerings is not as vast as of those in GSM.

I've a CDMA Blackberry since long time, I do use it, but my sincere advice, Don't fall for un-realistic plans,
I can write 2-3 pages where it would lag, but leave it.

 

[x720]

Within city limits, CDMA is much better than Gsm. You'd be hard pressed to find a CDMA dead spot within Mumbai, for example! Sure with airtel and Vodafone building out super dense networks, the gap has reduced a lot.

Unfortunately for CDMA, dwindling subscribers mean that operators have little incentive to offer good coverage outside city limits. I hear MTS is one the only provider offering good coverage outside cities, tata/rcom are tuning down their network in less profitable areas.

CDMA is great when you've good coverage. Latency is much better in evdo, than on GSM hspa+.

 

[Sushubh]

I miss my Tata Indicom connection. Best connection I ever had.

 

[x720]

Buy a cheapo Panasonic cdma phone off eBay and get back in the game 😛

 

---

[Sushubh]

Have no one to talk to anymore. It came super handy during the days I actually used to use a phone as a phone. 😀

 

[danish]

I think coverage of CDMA is better than GSM. I have a BSNL EVDO and its doing wonders. I used to go offshore and it works like a charm whereas my vodafone dont even get signal there.

 

[danish]

https://www.speedtest.net/result/4048621317.png