Home  Features Choosing a cell phone provider
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Choosing a cell phone provider |
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By Barry Nagassar » Wherever in Canada you’re located, the likelihood
of having a choice among several cellular (mobile phone) service
providers for your wireless needs is high. Major cities usually have a
choice between three and five service providers. This makes for some
confusing yet interesting options for consumers.
This brief article will help new cell phone consumers, and some old,
learn the basic ins and outs of cell phone service providers.
First a clarifications on network terms you’ll encounter.
CDMA: Short for Code-Division Multiple Access, this is a digital
cellular technology that uses spread-spectrum techniques. Unlike
competing systems that use TDMA, such as GSM, CDMA does not assign a
specific frequency to each user. Instead, every channel uses the full
available spectrum. The frequency of the transmitted signal is then
made to vary according to a defined pattern, so it can be intercepted
only by a receiver whose frequency response is programmed with the same
code, so it follows exactly along with the transmitter frequency. Major
CDMA players in Canada include Telus Mobility and Bell Mobility.
GSM: GSM is currently the world's largest cellular network. GSM stand
for Global System for Mobile Communications. GSM uses narrowband TDMA,
which allows eight simultaneous calls on the same radio frequency.
Considered the most advanced digital cellular technology, GSM networks
are leaders in many typically "digital" services including Short
Message Service (SMS), over the air (OTA) configuration and GSM
positioning. Many new GSM phones are called "global phones" because
they can be used in virtually any country. They also have SIM cards
("Subscriber Identification Module") that enable unique identification
of each user and easy transportation of your data between phones. GSM
900 (transmitting on the 900 MHz frequency band) is Europe's main
digital network. It's also used in the Asia-Pacific region. GSM 1800 is
also used in Europe and Asia, but has not been as widely adopted as GSM
900. GSM 1900 is the system used mainly in Canada and the Americas. Top
Canadian providers are Rogers Wireless and Fido.
So the question is now which network do I choose? GSM appears to
provide a greater range for those who travel, yet CDMA supposedly has
clearer reception.
Theoretically having the entire spectrum available
for your use should mean greater call clarity, however, this is not
always the case. Many CDMA subscribers will attest that their GSM
counterparts have better reception in some hard to reach areas.
Consumers should also be mindful of the types of phones available on
each network. Manufacturers try to produce phones for each,
nonetheless, LG typically produces cell phones for the CDMA network,
and Nokia on the GSM, (although Nokia has a huge CDMA portfolio as
well).
Take some time and browse the phones and their options -- you have a
huge selection so start now. Wireless functions such as SMS, or roaming
may dictate which carrier you choose. But again, you have plenty of
options to choose from, and if you’ve never had a cell phone before,
take some time to learn about the hundreds of options you have, both in
a phone and with particular plans/carriers.
Don’t just compare phones
either. Providers nowadays have comparable phones, therefore, the
selling feature may be plans and attached options. Price, when evenings
begin, add-on costs such as text messaging, data-transfer, should all
be compared and analyzed before purchase.
Be sure to take advantage of
monthly deals from providers, usually you can get a solid cell phone
for FREE! Generally you need to sign up for a contract that lasts 2-3
years, however, if you’re planning on staying with the firm and are
confident with your choice, the contract isn’t such a bad idea.
Switching providers will also likely soon be an option with existing
customers. Let me explain. Already present in the US and soon to be implemented in Canada,
cell phone number portability will enable customers to switch service
providers to take advantage of ‘new activation’ discounts with the new
carrier all while keeping your old phone number. This feature can only
benefit the consumer. Service providers will likely lower their fees
and increase their perks in attempt to prevent a mass exodus from their
customer base.
Some other phone options include prepaid options, where you can prepay
for a pre-determined amount of minutes, no contract.
You can also
invest in unlocked cell phones, where you do not have the contract
obligations and you own the phone. It works like this: you purchase the
phone, usually from an independent dealer, then you activate the phone
with a compatible service provider on a monthly plan. This is a pricey
option, typically high end phones fall under this category, those that
aren’t offered by the carrier but will operate on their network.
So as
you can tell there are plenty of phone and carrier options for
customers vying to get the best deal. The biggest thing is likely
patience. Be patient when it comes to purchasing, better deals likely
lie somewhere else. Also, figure out what your needs are. Do you
travel? Want to be tied into a contract?
Once you know what you want,
compare between providers. Do the same type of comparison with phone
features as well. You’ll be surprised how a little research on phone
and service provider quality can save you a load of headaches in the
future.
Visit DiscussWireless for consumer discussion forums with categories of
all major cell phone providers and manufacturers. Compare and review
cell phones and plans here, read posts from other consumers regarding
service issues and phone reviews. |
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