3G? 2G? 3.5G?!?! What's the Diff?
 

What the frak is the difference between this G and that G? Here is the answer:

Regardless of which version of a phone, it will work on any carrier with any SIM card in the world as long as the phone itself is unlocked and has a quad-band GSM radio. This is for voice calls.

Data is the biggest difference between 3G and non-3G phones. Quad-band 2G phones can use data anywhere in the world under the same conditions as for voice above, but data will be significantly slower compared to a 3G phone that packs the proper frequencies for the region.

Wuddup, G?

Quite the informative thread...

this thread does not deliver!

theres no sexy mobiles :p

holyhell let network guru #2 tell you people the the difference in CANADA

let the thread hi-jacking begin!

2G Network or GSM

ROGERS and FIDO ONLY and runs on freq: 1900/850mhz
Data will be listed as EDGE or E on your phone.
the 2G network is SLOWLY evolving to 3G as we speak

3G/3.5G Network or HSPA/UMTS

ALL THE CARRIERS have this network and runs freq: 1900/850mhz
The current technology for VOICE and DATA, if u have the above freq, your phone will display 3G or 3.5g by your signal bar.

ROAMING

North America uses 1900/850mhz exclusively. Which means ATT/Tmobile use this for GSM/UMTS and Verizon/Sprint uses CDMA 1900/800mhz

Europe/Asia Pacific (EXCLUDING JAPAN/KOREA) uses solely 1900/1800/900 for 2G VOICE and DATA and UMTS 2100mhz for 3G data. CDMA is almost nonexistent in Europe and Asia. In fact, only 13countries(or was it 12?) in the world have a CDMA network

Choosing the Carrier

Going Rogers/Fido?
Any phone as long as it has 1900/850mhz for 2G will work fine for voice, most of these are called QUADBAND phones(GSM 1900/1800/900/850mhz)
They can still use the data network, but it will slow, think of this as close to 56k dialup

to use the faster and sexier 3G network, the phone MUST have 1900/850mhz listed under the HSPA/UMTS(UMTS 1900/850) portion of the specs.

buying a "3G" phone from Asia will not allow you to hook up to the NorthAmerica 3G network as Asia/Europe run on 2100mhz freq

Going Bell/Telus?

The "old" bell/telus network runs on CDMA 1900/800mhz freq for voice and data

the NEW bell and telus network ONLY run on 3G/3.5g HSPA/UMTS. Basically any overseas phone that doesn't support UMTS 1900/850mhz will not work on the bell/telus network

What is WIND mobile, why the hype?

WIND mobile, owned by Globalive is an european cellular company looking to expand their network here in NorthAmerica. This carrier will be running AWS 1700mhz. Basically not alot of phones in the open market support this. what we do know is that T-Mobile USA runs on AWS. They wont be hitting the market this X'mas due to some legalities with the Canadian Government, but all hope is not lost as they will start operating sales in the very near future. Launch Cities confirmed are Calgary and Toronto with the rest of the country coming.

The only phone currently worth buying if this network were to startup today would be the Nokia N900.

so make sure to check this out, or else you might come back with a phone that is not compatible with the desired network and you will be paying outta your ass to switch

wind is coming to vancouver right?

Does this mean telus blackberry still works with fido 3g?

If it is a 3G Blackberry (not to be confused with CDMA EVDO) and is unlocked, yes.

2g is more durable than the 3g!!

meh....same shit different pile

3g this, 3gs that...jesus

Telus website says
so i guess it is evdo?

So does this mean that telus an bell phones work with sim cards now as long as the phones support 3G frequencies? That is, telus or bells frequencies in 3G

So if I buy a telus phone, ie new Motorola Charm, if it's unlocked, will the phone only work via Rogers 3G network? or will it be able to fall on Rogers 2G gsm network as well?

yes it will work on rogers 3g..and if it got 2g support it will work on that too

Can you do a list of equivalant carriers from the states.

For example, will T-mobile, verizon, Att, or sprint work with rogers, bell or telus or wind..

I am asking just in case the phone is purchased from the states and locked.

oh ive a 3gs

LMFAO

http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/17/2...wireless-prim/

history of the G-ness