Is it compatible with CDMA technology?

[stanw]

I have seen a bunch of discussions on various sites concerning unlocking the iPhone so it can be used by other carriers than AT&T. I understand that this is wrong, however, I am just curious if it would even work with a CDMA carrier such as Verizon if it could be unlocked.

Thanks.

 

[FreeState]

I have seen a bunch of discussions on various sites concerning unlocking the iPhone so it can be used by other carriers than AT&T. I understand that this is wrong, however, I am just curious if it would even work with a CDMA carrier such as Verizon if it could be unlocked.

Thanks.

No it will only work with T-Moble if unlocked.

 

[foltzie]

I have seen a bunch of discussions on various sites concerning unlocking the iPhone so it can be used by other carriers than AT&T. I understand that this is wrong, however, I am just curious if it would even work with a CDMA carrier such as Verizon if it could be unlocked.

Discussions of impropriety notwithstanding, an iPhone will not work on a CMDA network. Unlocked or not. The iPhone only has GSM chips inside of it.

This leaves you just with AT&T and T-Mobile as GSM carrier options in the US.

 

[D1G1T4L]

Unlocking the iPhone really doesn't do much for U.S. customers as it opens the option of T-Mobile as the other GSM carrier. Guess current T-Mobile customers or anti-AT&T people are happy.

Overseas it of course helps TONS.

 

[zap2]

Well some where Apple has a CDMA iPhone...like OS X living a double life PPC/X86...Apple has a GSM and CDMA iPhone

 

[D1G1T4L]

Well some where Apple has a CDMA iPhone...like OS X living a double life PPC/X86...Apple has a GSM and CDMA iPhone

Where is this info from?

 

[Hummer]

Where is this info from?

One has to exist if they planned on using Verizon.

 

[Canuck4]

I dont think its possible unless you start swapping out chips and doin some major software and hardware upgrades...

 

[D1G1T4L]

One has to exist if they planned on using Verizon.

Apple got a deal with a carrier before the device was even made. Why would one have to exist?

 

[AHDuke99]

One has to exist if they planned on using Verizon.

probably not. apparently cingular agreed to the deal without seeing the phone. it hadn't even been built yet. so i doubt apple ever built a CDMA version if verizon refused.

 

[themanfromvlad]

Somewhere in Cupertino, a CDMA version of the iPhone exists. Apple did not get to where it is today by not planning for various scenarios. Will it show up in North America in the next five years? No, it won't.

 

[D1G1T4L]

Somewhere in Cupertino, a CDMA version of the iPhone exists. Apple did not get to where it is today by not planning for various scenarios. Will it show up in North America in the next five years? No, it won't.

Why would would they have made it when they made a deal with a GSM carrier? I'm just trying to understand that.

The deal was signed before the device was made.

 

[Hummer]

Edit: You guys are right.
I was thinking of this

In some cases, Apple crafted bogus handset prototypes to show not just to Cingular executives, but also to Apple's own workers.

http://money.cnn.com/2007/01/10/commentary/lewis_fortune_iphone.fortune/index.htm

 

[AHDuke99]

yeah, apple didnt make a CDMA version. its different than the intel/ppc situation. it's not like AT&T is going to go under or quit providing cell phone service. many forget that it's the largest network subscriber wise in the US. It's not like it's an inferior new company. It's bigger than verizon. i'm amazed on how glorified verizon has been by everyone since apple announced that at&t would be the service company for the phone. if anything, verizon is the most annoying company to be a subscriber to. they control their phones so much that it's almost a joke. i doubt we ever see a CDMA version of the iphone. GSM/HSDPA is the world standard and that wont change. if they can sell enough GSM iphones, there will be no need to make a CDMA one. even if they do, verizon is stubborn enough to refuse to carry it if they cant write the OS for it and cripple certain features on it.

 

[Rodimus Prime]

it is not like apple really has to do much to make a CMDA version of the iPhone. There are only minor difference between a GSM and a CMDA phone. Mostly it comes down to a chipset. One is designed to handle CMDA other is for GSM.
Other than that only a minor difference in the software other wise it is exactly the same.

 

[Shawn D]

I think there is no great difference between CDMA and GSM technology. And if we are talking about iphone, it is quite compatible with CDMA technology. Overall iPhone is one of the latest technological devices which has hit the market to meet the thirst of their customers for the latest gadgets. You can goto the website http://www.accuris-networks.com for more information about GSM and CDMA technology.

Why must people bring up threads that are 2 years old? I mean seriously..

 

[firewood]

Why would would they have made it when they made a deal with a GSM carrier? I'm just trying to understand that.

The deal was signed before the device was made.

Do you have any idea how long it takes to go from a breadboard prototype to fully ramped up production for a high volume consumer device with a transmitter?

 

[kdarling]

Why would would they have made it when they made a deal with a GSM carrier? I'm just trying to understand that. The deal was signed before the device was made.

According to the WSJ and other sources, the timeline was roughly:

2005 early - talks begin with Cingular, not sure if will be phone or services
2005 summer - talks slowly begin with Verizon, no phone exists
2005 winter - ROKR disappoints, iphone team created, OSX port begins
2006 summer - talks end with Verizon, Cingular deal signed in three days
2006 winter - Cingular sees phone for first time
2007 winter - we see phone

So yes, the phone was only half-way through design when the Verizon talks stopped, and Apple went back to Cingular (ATT) to sign a deal.

Verizon never saw a prototype, only that Apple's ROKR collaboration with Motorola was pretty awful. No wonder they weren't excited about the idea of another Apple phone. Heck, even the most rabid Apple fans only expected a combination iPod / cell with a dialing wheel or similar.

 

[redman042]

Oh boy, here we go again. Ok, the responses have been pretty civil so far to an honest question from the OP. Let's close this out before it gets ugly. There are a lot of iPhone owners out there who are... let's just say... quite sensitive to the mention of a CDMA iPhone.

 

[Tallest Skil]

No it will only work with T-Moble if unlocked.

For those of you tuning in two years later, this is wrong. It works with any of the GSM providers in the U.S., not just T-Mobile.

I think there is no great difference between CDMA and GSM technology. And if we are talking about iphone, it is quite compatible with CDMA technology.

Except, of course, for the undeniable fact that it is impossible to get it working on CDMA networks.

 

[bbotte]

SO verizon has a 3G network, does that mean a "CDMA" 3G network or is it "GSM"?

 

[Opie]

No

 

[chrisgeleven]

SO verizon has a 3G network, does that mean a "CDMA" 3G network or is it "GSM"?

Verizon's 3G network is known as EVDO. It is not GSM and won't be ever compatible. You would have to built an entirely different iPhone radio in order to use Verizon's network.

I doubt Apple will come out with a Verzion compatible iPhone until wireless carriers start moving to LTE 4G (which is in the 2011-2013 timeframe)

Why this this? Both AT&T and Verizon will support LTE 4G, which means they will have the exact same network technology. This means that in theory, Apple could provide the an 4G iPhone that works with both AT&T and Verizon's networks once 4G is deployed. If the carriers allow it, it may even be able to roam on the other's network. That would mean a big increase in coverage area.

We won't know for sure though how this will work for a few years.