Can You Really Get International Wireless Coverage?

It can be difficult to really understand the ins and outs of the cellular phone business, even though we do consider ourselves to be connected and in tune with the latest technology. However, if we ask ourselves why phones work in some places and not in others, or why different providers are not interchangeable, we start to get confused and the situation compounds itself when we start to talk about international wireless coverage.

Cell service providers seem to be at different ends of the spectrum when it comes to what is available within the United States. It’s difficult to know why it is so fragmented and why there is such a level of confusion. However, the established players may well lose out should the consumer come across a simpler to understand alternative down the road.

It is difficult to get international wireless coverage as only certain circumstances allow you to receive a seamless service. This is compounded by the fact that a large number of consumers in the United States possess a phone which operates on the CDMA network which puts them at a significant disadvantage.

The consumer is likely to get particularly confused when you try and explain why one phone will only work on a certain network and will require a certain frequency if you are in a certain location! Your best chance of receiving international wireless coverage will arise if you have an unlocked GSM phone, which is not restricted by the service provider and thus provides you with the best freedom.

These days there are exciting developments on the horizon, as new providers and carriers will likely combine Internet protocol with existing cellular technology to give you far superior service. Expect enhancements in connectivity, speed and a variety of new options.

The GSM phone operates with a SIM card, a tiny computer chip that contains your personal information. If your phone is unlocked you can simply buy a new SIM card wherever in the world you are. One other thought, – the phone must be a tri-band or quad band product, like most of the phones available these days thankfully, enabling it to work under different frequencies found outside of North America.

Unfortunately, many US phones will not work if you plan to travel internationally as the CDMA network is barely existent outside of North America. By far the most dominant network in the world is the GSM network which is reputed to work in about 220 countries globally. You have more chance of attaining international wireless coverage if you have a GSM compatible phone.

As hybrid services and solutions emerge, new phones will be able to operate in countries around the world without the restrictions currently faced. International wireless coverage could be provided for you through this hybrid technology.

This entry was posted on Sunday, August 30th, 2009 at 6:29 am and is filed under Cellphones. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.