When digital wireless service is explained as CDMA, TDMA or GSM, what does that mean?
CDMA, TDMA and GSM are different types of digital technology used by wireless phone service providers. Each represents a different way of transmitting the digital signal over the airwaves. CMDA stands for Code Division Multiple Access. This technology sends out information in multiple digital packets tagged with a code. The packets are then spread out over a wide radio channel and collected by the receiving wireless phone. A good example is an English speaking person in a crowded room full of Italian speakers and being able to pick out the only other English speaking person in the room. TDMA stands for Time Division Multiple Access. This technology sends out information by assigning each call a unique time slot in the radio frequency channel. Each channel has 3 slots, so that no two calls will be on one channel at the same time. GSM stands for Global Standard for Mobile and is a digital cellular or PCS network used throughout the world. This technology operates similar to the TDMA tech
