Cellular Networks
America's Mobile Technophobia
It's no secret that North America lags behind the rest of the world in the way of digital cellular networks. Much of the US and Canada are not even covered by a digital network and must use an analogue system. The total lack of any unified standard in North America has stunted the growth of handheld technologies and services available on this side of the world. It's also stunted the growth and development of the 3G digital wireless networks and phones that could allow high speed data transfers from anywhere. 3G wireless is already a very popular reality in Europe and Asia; it's this side of the world that doesn't seem ready for the next step in digital technologies.
All of Europe and almost all of Asia are leagues ahead of North America- they've been using the GSM networks standard for years. GSM is the standard for digital mobile network. Developed by Ericsson, a Swedish communications company and partner to Sony in the manufacture of cell phones, GSM has met little resistance worldwide. Wide use of a unified frequency of GSM (usually 1800MHz) explains why a European mobile phone works just about everywhere in Europe and Asia and has had limited use in North America. It's also why kids in Europe and Asia have been downloading music and video to their cell phones from pay services, while North Americans are largely scratching their heads over the curiosity of downloading content to a mobile device.
North American wireless networks are a minefield of struggle between warring standards that include CDMA (Bell Atlantic, Verizon), PCS (AT&T Wireless) and TDMA (AT&T Wireless). But there is hope for North America yet. The popularity of GSM/GPRS 1900MHz networks are beginning to surge across North America- hopefully a unified standard will be forthcoming.
For an idea of just how unpopular the competing North American wireless networks are, just look at the numbers of subscribers to each network:
- GSM: 331.5 million* (130 countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, etc.)
- CDMA 67.1 million (US, Canada, S. Korea)
- PDC: 48.2 million
- TDMA: 47.8 million (US, Canada)
* Includes 900, 1800 and 1900 GSM systems
Lately there is a contagious enthusiasm for wireless digital networks growing across North America. Advertisers and consumers alike seem to have their interest peaked in these devices that allow people to watch a show or download a game to a cell phone. Perhaps North Americans tend to be less enthusiastic about mobile devices because there are less mass transit commuters than in other parts of the world. You can't catch up on last night's episode of your favorite show while driving to work in the morning. You can from the subway or bus however, and that's exactly what millions worldwide are doing. Just ask the younger people across Europe and Asia who adopt digital wireless technologies with open arms.
Today every major digital wireless network provider is making more and more downloadable content available. Major studios are starting to see it as a benefit to offset poor record sales. Apple's iTunes has been a popular way to download music legally, but this was always limited to the computer that must synchronize with an MP3 player. The release of Motorola's Rokr and the soon to hit the streets Nokia N91 has sparked the imagination of people. Those who want to download music on the fly, directly to their internet connected media playback device, which is also a cell phone, will enjoy these handhelds.
Now Warner Music has just cut a deal with MTV to sell their music properties online. The move is a boon to legal distribution of entertainment online- a sore spot for the entertainment industry in recent years. But it seems they're willing to adapt to the new marketplace; selling to mobile devices who can now listen to music while watching the video from any mobile device connected to a wireless service. Expect consumer demand to expand the markets and hopefully make G3 devices and supported networks commonplace on this side of the ocean.
If you're a North American looking at the limited selection of phones available from your providers, see if you can get a sim from your GSM network card provider. The sim card enables you to use your local provider's GSM network on your own mobile handset, and that's all you need to use any exotic handset you can find, like Nokia's N90. Buying the phone from the service provider will give you a limited selection of locked phones that are most likely older technology. If you want a serious upgrade from anything most people are using on this side of the ocean, you'll have to find phones from an independent distributor. But there are some things you should know.
Look for a phone that is compatible with North America's preference for 1900MHz GSM networks. Many phones today are tri or quad band. You'll generally see tri-band phones that communicate with mobile GSM networks over 1900, 1800 and 850MHz. The two frequencies most used in North America are 850 and 1900. Ensure the phone you're buying is unlocked and has never been locked. Never buy a locked phone unless you're prepared to make the commitment to stay with your service provider. Locked phones are how cellular networks guarantee that phone can only be used on their networks. Although it's possible to unlock a locked phone, that's just an additional service you must seek out. You can probably save money buying the phone online from a retailer who can sell it unlocked.