China To Launch GSM-CDMA, Dual-Mode Handsets

[Kris Kumar]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200405/10/eng20040510_142856.html' target='_blank'>http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200405/10/eng20040510_142856.html</a><br /><br /></div>"China United Telecom (China Unicom), the world's third biggest mobile telecommunications carrier, said Monday it plans to release mobile phone handsets in mid-July this year with dual-band technology that shares data and voice service between GSM and CDMA users."<br /><br />Dual Mode Handsets are true world phones, as they support both GSM and CDMA networks. <br /><br />Considering that these phones are being manufactured by Motorola and Samsung, wouldn't it be great if they used the technology in Smartphones? Smartphones with its rich support for enterprise apps, are popular among the corporate users and corporate jet-setters will clearly benefit if the two technologies were combined.

[snap]

Having both CDMA and GSM combined in a phone seems like overkill to me unless you are "CDMA-centric" and need the roaming coverage provided by GSM. Don't see why a "GSM-centric" user would need this. It certainly won't make the handsets more affordable either.

Are there any countries that are CDMA-only markets?

[Kris Kumar]

Agreed, It is an over kill for the major part of the cell phone market, more so because most of the market is price conscious and as you said, these devices would be expensive.

But the cost of the technology usually comes down. And the high end features start trickling into the lower end models. Hence announcements like these are significant, because they are announcing a new generation of phones.

I know of a lot of people who have travel between countries (including myself) who would like carry just one phone. Especially now that we have Smartphones which carry a lot of personalized data/content. I would hate to transfer the stuff over to another phone when in a different country. And think about the hassle when you have to make constant trips. In US CDMA coverage is the best, and in Europe and most parts of Asia GSM rules. Right now I am using a GSM phone because I want to carry one phone, but since I live in US, I have to sacrifice on coverage.

These phones would make it easy for the people who travel and depend on their phones, to have the power to use the best network available.

[Kris Kumar]

This is a link that I found while researching this announcement.

http://www.infosyncworld.com/news/n/4758.html

It is regarding Motorola A840 phone. Its a not a Smartphone, but a regular clam shell design. I was amazed that the Dual Mode doesnt seem to increase the size of the phone.

And the fact that Motorola has it means they can use it for the MPx series too :-)

[Mike Temporale]

It is regarding Motorola A840 phone. Its a not a Smartphone, but a regular clam shell design. I was amazed that the Dual Mode doesn't seem to increase the size of the phone.

I'm not really surprised. I'm sure they share a great deal of parts, like the antenna. So I would expect it to just be an extra chip. That's my totality un-educated opinion. :wink:

[Kris Kumar]

Well Sprint has announced the launch of first Dual Mode (CDMA/GSM) phone on its network.

http://www.sprintpcsinfo.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=536
Look for "Samsung World Phone", Launch Q4 2004.