CDMA is less common, but it is used by Verizon and Sprint in the United States, and a few carriers elsewhere — if your phone only supports CDMA, it’s highly unlikely to work internationally. Even if you do have a GSM phone, though, you still need to make sure it supports the frequencies used in your destinations.
Can I use a CDMA phone overseas?
GSM is the global standard for cellular networks. CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) is particularly strong in the U.S., especially in rural areas. The Sprint and Verizon Wireless networks use CDMA. Most CDMA phones aren’t meant for global travel–though there are exceptions.
Which countries use CDMA phones?
Active networks
| Operator | Country | Frequency (MHz) |
|---|---|---|
| Sprint (incl. Open Mobile) | United States Puerto Rico U.S. Virgin Islands | 800 (BC10) 1900 |
| U.S. Cellular | United States | 850 / 1900 |
| Verizon | United States | 850 / 1900 |
| PEOPLEnet | Ukraine | 850 |
Are international phones GSM or CDMA?
What’s the difference between GSM and CDMA?
| GSM phone | CDMA phone | |
|---|---|---|
| International Roaming | GSM is commonly used around the world, and SIM cards can be easily switched when travelling | If traveling abroad, you can’t switch SIM cards and will need to use your carrier’s international roaming service, which can be costly |
Can I use a CDMA phone in Europe?
CDMA tech doesn’t work in Europe. If you have a phone with dual technology (both CDMA and GSM), the device will typically work on European GSM networks. If your phone is a on a GSM network (or dual technology with GSM) it will work in Europe if it’s unlocked, meaning it can be used with other GSM carriers.
Do all GSM phones work internationally?
To summarize, unlocked GSM phones can be used with any compatible carrier across the globe. Some CDMA phone will come internationally unlocked but will find it more difficult to find a compatible CDMA carrier worldwide. Always check with your carrier and speak to them before you travel.
Do all unlocked phones work internationally?
Locked phones can “roam” onto international networks, but without the proper service plan from your carrier, the charges for international roaming can be hefty. “Unlocked” devices are free to use other networks around the world.
Will my SIM card work in another country?
A SIM, or subscriber identity module, is a removable chip roughly the size of a microSD card. It lets your current phone work in another country as if you bought the phone there: local number, cheap and fast data, and so on.
Is CDMA still used in USA?
In the US, Verizon, US Cellular, and the old Sprint network (now owned by T-Mobile) used CDMA. AT&T and T-Mobile used GSM. Most of the rest of the world used GSM.
Is CDMA still active?
CDMA (3G) devices and 4G Non-VoLTE devices will continue to make/receive calls, send/receive text messages, and use data services on the Verizon network until December 31st, 2022.
Does O2 use GSM or CDMA?
The O2 network is GSM (900/1800). GSM handsets are often called SIM-free and operate on any GSM network, just make sure it runs on O2’s frequency, not the one for the US.
Can a phone be both GSM and CDMA?
Every wireless carrier sells devices that are compatible with its network band. Smartphones from AT&T and T-Mobile are GSM-compatible since both carriers use GSM technology like most of the rest of the world. However, while Verizon is a CDMA carrier, it sells smartphones that support both GSM and CDMA.
Should I use global or LTE CDMA?
Global: This is the preferred setting for most locations and should only be changed if experiencing service issues. LTE / CDMA: This setting should only be selected if experiencing service issues in locations that offer multiple network types and only LTE/CDMA is needed.
Does GSM and CDMA matter anymore?
Of the two, GSM is more widely used around the globe, with availability in more than 200 countries. While CDMA is used widely in the U.S., it is less common elsewhere — most estimates pin the portion of global wireless networks using CDMA at less than 20 percent. The Verizon network is a CDMA wireless network.
Will a CDMA phone work in the UK?
In the UK, voice, text and network connection is GSM, which is NOT CDMA, it’s TDMA. WCDMA, the high speed data system used on GSM networkd is CDMA, so nbasically all networks in the UK.
Is AT&T a CDMA carrier?
Carriers operate under one of two types of networks: CDMA or GSM. Out of the four biggest carriers with their own network, AT&T and T-Mobile run on GSM, while Sprint and Verizon Wireless use CDMA.
Do GSM unlocked phones work in Europe?
Unlocked GSM Phones and SIM Cards
To make cell phone calls in Europe you’ll need an unlocked dual-band GSM phone and a SIM card. The countries of Europe use the dual-band frequencies of 900 to 1800 while America primarily uses 850 to 1900.
Does Taiwan use GSM or CDMA?
The Taiwan mobile network operates on GSM 900MHz / 1800MHz so check the GSM on your phone before bringing it with you. Regardless, phones in Taiwan are cheap and awesome! Often cell phones in Taiwan use cutting edge technology, as this is where they are made and tested before they hit the market back home.
What is difference between fully unlocked and GSM unlocked?
The first major point to know is that the whole “unlocked” concept applies to Global System for Mobile (GSM) phones. GSM is a worldwide cell standard that ties your phone number and all cell service to a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card, not the phone itself. A GSM carrier doesn’t care what phone a SIM card is in.
What GSM unlocked mean?
Unlocked GSM phone means that it wouldn’t be locked into a specific carrier network. On the upside, it means freedom to choose your own GSM carrier that suits your needs (and wallet) best. On the down side, several carrier-specific features may not be available.
Do international version phones work in the US?
Most international phones run off GSM technology. However, some devices are also known to have dual SIM’s meaning they can read both GSM and CDMA technology. In the U.S., we have carriers that run off both GSM and CDMA, so your international phone should work on at least one network.
Contents