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Frequency 850 - is it really a GSM? |
Aivar
Joined: Jan 14, 2003
Posts: > 500
From: Estonia
PM |
Hi!
Sometimes I visit the website of GSM Association (http://www.gsmworld.com/index.shtml) to see which new countries have joined the world of GSM.
Recently I found some new names, but not with GSM 900, 1800 or 1900, but with GSM 850. Like Panama and the island Montserrat.
I have heard that some people call iDEN as GSM 800. But what about 850?
Is it possible to use that network with a phone which support extended GSM 900? Like T68i and others.
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shawnmccall9
Joined: Apr 21, 2002
Posts: > 500
From: Chicago, IL USA
PM |
It is a frequency used in N. and S. American continents. Anything that you hear as 800 mHz is actually 850. Panama, I beleive, had the first live GSM 850 network, but US has two companies that will release it soon. Cingular and ATT (later, they are focused on their agreement with NTT to develop WCDMA). yeah, quadband will be the new world phone. iDen is the same frequency, but different flavor of TDMA
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Aivar
Joined: Jan 14, 2003
Posts: > 500
From: Estonia
PM |
Thanks, shawnmccall9!
But I just wondering, why they don't use the usual GSM 900, 1800 or 1900? After all, those bands are prevalent in whole world. Also the South America goes that way - Brazil with 1800 etc. And US and Canada with 1900… and those islands in Caribbean Sea…
It would be much easier to travel with my usual phone (let's say with T68i, T39m, R520m or other 3-band phone) if those mobile-operators would use usual GSM-frequency.
I know, years ago this all mobile phone theme was kind of new. But now we all can see, that the prevalent mobile system is GSM. So, I don't understand why those new countries choose this "almost" GSM - frequency 800/850.
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shawnmccall9
Joined: Apr 21, 2002
Posts: > 500
From: Chicago, IL USA
PM |
you're welcome. GSM 850 is as much GSM as any of the rest: 900, 1800, 1900. GSM is a way of electronically manipulating energy in order to provide wireless service, just like CDMA, WCDMA, CDMA2000, TDMA or SD-????, the new one China is gonna use for 3g. Anyway, the technology and the bandwidth are really independent issues. As well why US and others don't use 900, 1800, several possible reasons: bandwidth is already allocated to other uses by the FCC (Federal Communications Commision) or economically motivated reasons to enhance sales of US compatible handsets, which is good for any manufacturer. |
JwY
Joined: Dec 03, 2002
Posts: 500
From: Canada GTA
PM |
yeah, 1900 is being used mostly in americas, but it doesnt penatrate buildings well. with 850, it should be a lot better. plus 850 will be used more in rural areas. certain phones, like the dual band ones (850/1900) will work a lot better. |
Aivar
Joined: Jan 14, 2003
Posts: > 500
From: Estonia
PM |
Thanks again, shawnmccall9 and JwY.
I don't know very much about specific technical stuff, so I have the courage to ask more.
1) Is it the iDEN and GSM 850 really the same? I doubt, because those iDEN operators (with GSM 800?) don't belong under the GSM Association, but operators of GSM 850 do.
2) Do you know the difference GSM 900 and the extended GSM 900? I mean, what is the frequency band of GSM 900 and e-GSM 900?
3) And I ask again, because I did not quite understand: can I use my phone, which support e-GSM in the network of GSM 850?
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wapt
Joined: Jan 10, 2003
Posts: > 500
PM |
iDEN (Nextel oprerates) is not GSM.
E-GSM takes also frequencies lower than primary GSM band. More channels are available for use.
No, phone like T68 is not GSM 850 capatable. You need a GSM 850 phone or a multi-band GSM 850 capatable phone for using in the network. |
Aivar
Joined: Jan 14, 2003
Posts: > 500
From: Estonia
PM |
Thank you, wapt! So I thought also. | |
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Posted: 2003-02-14 14:44
