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Old 02-13-2020, 09:28 AM   #28 (permalink)
JSH
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Quote:
Originally Posted by redpoint5 View Post
There's a lot of confusion with cellular terminology. CDMA is a technique (code division) to allow multiple users to share the same frequency, whereas GSM is a protocol, and utilizes a different technique, TDMA (time division) to share the same frequency.

4G is a benchmark throughput (1 gbps stationary). It doesn't define a protocol or frequency sharing technique as far as I can tell. There's no definition I can find of what method of multiple access it must use. CDMA still might be used to achieve 4G

5G seems ambiguous except that it can include shorter wavelength frequencies and potential for higher bandwidth. I don't see any benchmarks to qualify something as 5G.
For LTE if your phone has the correct band it will work on the network as long as you have service. When LTE first came out carriers used it for data and legacy 2G / 3G CDMA and GSM networks for voice. With Voice over LTE technology those old networks are no longer required.


Here is a good summary: https://www.whistleout.com/CellPhone...cies-explained

From that: "In terms of their relevance to 3G and 4G LTE bands and frequencies, the thing to know is that CDMA and GSM only use 3G technology. So the CDMA vs. GSM discussion is really a 3G discussion."


I was incorrect on Verizon's sunset date. They had said since 2016 that they were shutting down CDMA at the end of 2019. They seem to have changed their mind and are allowing current customers a longer grace period but stopped activating new CDMA phones in 2018 but will keep the CDMA alive until the end of 2020 for retail customers. Enterprise customers get a longer grace period and Verizon will serve them until December 2022

https://www.lightreading.com/mobile/.../d/d-id/753147
https://dmp.com/2019/5/22/Key_Dates_...twork_Shutdown
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