CDMA and GSM

**Stiff** · 07-16-2010, 01:45 AM

I'm from Europe and we only use GSM, at least what I'm aware of.
I am currently intrested in a bold 9650 which is a CDMA phone. I really don't know what's the difference between both of them. And if a CDMA would work in Europe?

**lopezf1000** · 07-16-2010, 03:19 AM

From what I know, Europe and North America run almost exclusively GSM/GPRS networks. CDMA is just a different type of network, Check with your carrier to see if CDMA is supported in your area.

**Stiff** · 07-16-2010, 06:26 AM

I've looked around and it seems that none of the carriers support CDMA.

**thefever23** · 07-16-2010, 06:42 AM

The Bold has a GSM sim card slot for people who travel so it would work but since it's primarily a CDMA phone you're more than likely going to have a poor user experience with it.

**Stiff** · 07-16-2010, 06:53 AM

So you're saying that the GSM function of the phone isn't that well worked out as for intsance the Bold 9700?

So I should get a bold 9700 instead.

**thefever23** · 07-16-2010, 07:02 AM

Originally Posted by Stiff

So you're saying that the GSM function of the phone isn't that well worked out as for intsance the Bold 9700?

So I should get a bold 9700 instead.

It's there to make it a World Phone. The phone comes with a preloaded sim card but it's not meant to make it a GSM phone. I think in your situation a 9700 would be your best choice. Do a little research though because I heard they were thinking about updating the 9700 to up the memory to 512mb so it can be more OS 6 compatible. I think I saw it somewhere named 9700a.

**thefever23** · 07-16-2010, 07:04 AM

BlackBerry 9700a Onyx Delta Packing OS 6, 5 MP Camera?

Might just be rumor but you never know.

**Stiff** · 07-16-2010, 07:17 AM

I need to understand this CDMA GSM thing a little more.

Does CDMA and GSM only involve calling or also 3G connectivity?

**pcgizmo** · 07-16-2010, 07:26 AM

Originally Posted by Stiff

I'm from Europe and we only use GSM, at least what I'm aware of.
I am currently intrested in a bold 9650 which is a CDMA phone. I really don't know what's the difference between both of them. And if a CDMA would work in Europe?

It would have to be unlocked to use on a GSM network. As posted before, doing so opens up a whole set of issues getting it to work properly. Search the forums for unlocking threads and see if you think it's worth it.

**thefever23** · 07-16-2010, 07:26 AM

Originally Posted by Stiff

I need to understand this CDMA GSM thing a little more.

Does CDMA and GSM only involve calling or also 3G connectivity?

It involves BOTH. In my general understanding of the subject if you don't live in the US or a few parts of Asia then GSM is the way to go.

**thefever23** · 07-16-2010, 07:28 AM

PC Today Article - CDMA vs. GSM

Check this link out. I really can't explain to many of the inner workings but this does a pretty decent job.

**thefever23** · 07-16-2010, 07:30 AM

Originally Posted by plkcable

It would have to be unlocked to use on a GSM network. As posted before, doing so opens up a whole set of issues getting it to work properly. Search the forums for unlocking threads and see if you think it's worth it.

Unlocking CDMA phones is tricky here in the states because I know for a fact Verizon won't activate a Sprint Blackberry (I've tried).

**Stiff** · 07-16-2010, 07:33 AM

Still think its strange that when they decide to make it support both, they make it support one better then the other.

Oh well, in the end I should go for functionallity. So I guess it's going to be a 9700 or the 9700a if it comes any time soon.

Edit: You're fast

. Thanks for the link, reading it right now.

**thefever23** · 07-16-2010, 07:37 AM

Originally Posted by Stiff

Still think its strange that when they decide to make it support both, they make it support one better then the other.

Oh well, in the end I should go for functionallity. So I guess it's going to be a 9700 or the 9700a if it comes any time soon.

If I was in your position I would wait to see if the 9700a comes out sometime soon. It will have the same 512mb of flash memory the 9650 has and a better camera. Not to mention the 9800 Slider seems to be close to hitting stores with replacements parts already out there. GSM networks are a loooooooooooooot better at getting devices out quickly. ****, it took the 9650 numerous delays before it finally hit shelves in Verizon and Sprint stores.

**Stiff** · 07-16-2010, 07:46 AM

Think I'm going to wait for the 9700a. They expect it to be released in Q4 this year, though thats probablly just North America.

**thefever23** · 07-16-2010, 07:52 AM

Originally Posted by Stiff

Think I'm going to wait for the 9700a. They expect it to be released in Q4 this year, though thats probablly just North America.

Guess you'll be buying yours on Ebay from the States then, haha.

**Stiff** · 07-16-2010, 08:17 AM

Originally Posted by thefever23

Guess you'll be buying yours on Ebay from the States then, haha.

Without doubt.

**thefever23** · 07-16-2010, 08:49 AM

Originally Posted by Stiff

Without doubt.

haha... I'm probably going to pick up the 9650 but my contract is almost up and I want to see what AT&T is going to do in the next few months. In my area coverage is good on all networks.

**thefever23** · 07-16-2010, 09:32 AM

BlackBerry 9300, 9670, and 9800 shown on video « Boy Genius Report

Who knows what they'll think of next.......

**Stiff** · 07-16-2010, 09:42 AM

All three videos don't work. XD
Slide looks nice though, but I think I'll take one without slide personally.

**thefever23** · 07-16-2010, 09:49 AM

Originally Posted by Stiff

All three videos don't work. XD
Slide looks nice though, but I think I'll take one without slide personally.

I couldn't agree more but I was just showing you that there are going to be a lot of options coming out within the next few months. So hopefully you'll have more to choose from than just the 9700.

**Stiff** · 07-16-2010, 01:18 PM

Originally Posted by thefever23

I couldn't agree more but I was just showing you that there are going to be a lot of options coming out within the next few months. So hopefully you'll have more to choose from than just the 9700.

Yeah

I have to wait for my current contract to be over also, my current carrier doesn't support blackberry's.

**thefever23** · 07-16-2010, 01:37 PM

Originally Posted by Stiff

Yeah

I have to wait for my current contract to be over also, my current carrier doesn't support blackberry's.

No good man... no good. Thank god all you have to do is pop in a sim card.

**thefever23** · 07-16-2010, 01:39 PM

I want to stick it out and wait to buy a new phone but playing with my girlfriends 9700 is making me want to upgrade to the 9650. I just can't leave my 8330 because of all the hybrid OS's that are still coming out. I'm enjoying tampering with it every couple weeks... but who knows what I'll end up doing.

**Stiff** · 07-17-2010, 09:52 AM

Originally Posted by thefever23

I want to stick it out and wait to buy a new phone but playing with my girlfriends 9700 is making me want to upgrade to the 9650. I just can't leave my 8330 because of all the hybrid OS's that are still coming out. I'm enjoying tampering with it every couple weeks... but who knows what I'll end up doing.

At least you already have a BB

. Still need to get hands on one myself.