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For anyone who travels internationally - particularly to Europe - surely a CDMA network is a stupid choice due to limited roaming?

Or can CDMA phones roam to GSM abroad?
 
For anyone who travels internationally - particularly to Europe - surely a CDMA network is a stupid choice due to limited roaming?

Or can CDMA phones roam to GSM abroad?

CDMA phones can (obviously) only be used on CDMA networks.

As you say, most countries (including all of Europe) do not have CDMA networks.

Some CDMA phones also feature GSM or UMTS functionality that allows them to work on networks in countries that don't use CDMA (Verizon calls these "Global Phones".

The Verizon iPhone 4 (CDMA) is not a Global Phone and doesn't feature any support for GSM or UMTS.
 
CDMA phones can (obviously) only be used on CDMA networks.

As you say, most countries (including all of Europe) do not have CDMA networks.

Some CDMA phones also feature GSM or UMTS functionality that allows them to work on networks in countries that don't use CDMA (Verizon calls these "Global Phones".

The Verizon iPhone 4 (CDMA) is not a Global Phone and doesn't feature any support for GSM or UMTS.

As I suspected then. So obviously anyone who's going to do any world travelling - e.g. company execs - would be stupid to have a CDMA iPhone.

In fact, as a European, I can't comprehend why anyone would pick a CDMA network over a GSM one? Or why two incompatible network types would exist today. Care to enlighten the benefits?
 
In fact, as a European, I can't comprehend why anyone would pick a CDMA network over a GSM one? Or why two incompatible network types would exist today. Care to enlighten the benefits?

I certainly wouldn't pick a CDMA phone, but then again if you are picking a phone for the first time and you are choosing between carriers on the basis of coverage/pricing it probably doesn't matter much to you about the different standards.
 
As I suspected then. So obviously anyone who's going to do any world travelling - e.g. company execs - would be stupid to have a CDMA iPhone.

In fact, as a European, I can't comprehend why anyone would pick a CDMA network over a GSM one? Or why two incompatible network types would exist today. Care to enlighten the benefits?

If you live in an area where GSM reception sucks...CDMA is likely a better choice.

Competition.

I would guess if said execs lived in an area where AT&T sucked (NorCal anyone?) then they would probably have a CDMA iPhone. And if they traveled they would carry a GSM iPhone for that occasion. It would be easy for them to have 2 devices, especially since everything can be synced up on iTunes or Mobile Me.
 
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You can bet your house that Verizon and AT&T care and each would like the answer to be them.

I don't think either company would care. Both phones look the same and I doubt a savvy business man like Jobs would state his preference. He wants the phone to sell on both networks. Honestly, I doubt anyone will know.
 
Geeez, ya don't think they have one of each and use whichever gets them the most PR *for* Apple at the moment. Heck, I'd even switch 'em around from week to week just to give them all fair play.
 
You will know at the next Apple conference. Pay attention to the carrier name on the phone Steve uses. That should tell you :)
 
In fact, as a European, I can't comprehend why anyone would pick a CDMA network over a GSM one? Or why two incompatible network types would exist today. Care to enlighten the benefits?


Because in America, CDMA has been around a long time. Its old, outdated technology, but since its been around so long, it has great coverage in areas where GSM is lacking.
GSM is better in every way (simultaneous voice+data, much faster speeds, clearer quality, upgradable to advanced tech etc...) except that there is more CDMA coverage, and CDMA penetrates barriers better.
 
Because in America, CDMA has been around a long time. Its old, outdated technology, but since its been around so long, it has great coverage in areas where GSM is lacking.
GSM is better in every way (simultaneous voice+data, much faster speeds, clearer quality, upgradable to advanced tech etc...) except that there is more CDMA coverage, and CDMA penetrates barriers better.

Another response by someone who knows nothing about the history of CDMA and GSM. I hate people that post without looking into the subject first.
 
They are probably staying on AT&T just because of roaming and faster data speeds, these things are probably more important to business users than we can imagine. But I bet they have both for testing purposes.
 
I tell you, folks these days do anything to come up with a new thread. Go spam a blog instead
 
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