The main difference between GSM and CDMA is that GSM is specific to a SIM card that is used with the cell phone. On the other hand, CDMA is specific to phones. Let’s talk about some more differences between GSM and CDMA in the comparison chart below.

Comparative chart

What is GSM?

GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) is a standard that forms the basis of 2G. GSM mobile phones are divided into a phone and a removable SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card. SIM contains all the information related to the consumer of the same. You can fix this removable SIM on another phone to activate it with the exact same identity.

Data and network speed

The largest area is divided into cells, and each cell has a network tower that provides solutions to each of the mobile phones under that mobile. GSM uses GPRS for data transfer which provides slower data bandwidth. Therefore, the data transfer speed is slower in GSM.

Technology and roaming

The technology used in GSM is TDMA and FDMA. In TDMA, multi-user access is offered by dividing the station into several time slots. In FDMA, multi-user access is possible by dividing the frequencies at the station. Since GSM is accepted and used all over the world, there is absolutely no problem with roaming on GSM mobile phones.

What is CDMA?

CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) is a technology that forms the cornerstone of 3G mobile phones. In CDMA there is no removable SIM. All information about the user and the account is stored in the internal memory of the phone or device.

Data and network speed

There is a physical medium and each device has been assigned a particular code. Network stations broadcast full frequencies at all times. The device or specific telephone is identified by the concept of code in the network. The data transmission speed is faster as CDMA uses EVDO, which works with faster data bandwidth.

Technology and roaming

The technology used to identify a number of users in a community is CDM. In CDM, multiple users on a channel are separated by the Code they use to send the signal. Since CDMA is not used or accepted globally, its roaming accessibility is limited.

Key differences

1. The fundamental difference between GSM and CDMA is that GSM is a specific SIM, that is, a cell phone is identified in the system by the removable SIM inserted in that phone. On the other hand, in CDMA the network describes a telephone from the data stored in the internal memory and, consequently, its special telephone.
2. The technology used in GSM to identify many callers at a station is TDM and FDM. On the other hand, in CDMA, the multiple callers at a station are divided by code (CDM).
3. The network tower serves the entire cell phone in a cell network in GSM. However, in CDMA there is a physical channel and a dedicated code for each cell in the community.
4. In GSM, data and voice can be transmitted simultaneously, while CDMA cannot.
5. Since GSM is accepted and used globally, it is roaming accessibility while, due to less usage and global acceptance, CDMA has less availability.
6. GSM uses GPRS which provides lower data bandwidth, consequently it is the slowest data transmission speed. On the other hand, CDMA uses EVDO which provides higher data bandwidth, therefore it is faster data transmission speed.