UMTS?? vs GSM

[2.2vtec]

I have been noticing that some of the newest phones coming out are operating on UMTS bands. What is UMTS? and why is it different then regular GSM?

[RX-7_TWINTURBO]

UMTS

Universal Mobile Telecommunications System.

A third generation (3G) mobile communications technology that promises data transmission speeds of up to 2 megabits per second (Mbps), although actual speeds may be significantly lower at first, due to network capacity restrictions.

UMTS used WCDMA technology, and the two terms are often used interchangeably with each other.


WCDMA

(Wideband Code Division Multiple Access)

Wideband CDMA is a third-generation (3G) wireless standard which utilizes one 5 MHz channel for both voice and data, initially offering data speeds up to 384 Kbps.

WCDMA is also referred to as UMTS - the two terms have become interchangeable.

WCDMA is the 3G standard that most GSM carriers are moving to. Parts of the WCDMA standard are based on GSM technology. WCDMA networks are designed to integrate with GSM networks at certain levels. Most WCDMA phones include GSM as well, for backward compatibility.

WCDMA borrows certain technology ideas from CDMA, as the name implies, but is in fact very different and incompatible with phones and networks using "CDMA" technology.

In Europe and Asia, WCDMA is being deployed in the all-new 2100 MHz frequency band. In North America, WCDMA is being deployed in the existing 1900 MHz (PCS) and 850 MHz (cellular) bands.

[2.2vtec]

So can you use a phone that runs on UMTS in canada?

[Das_Amaretto]

Sounds like if it even ever hits Canada, It will be for Telus or Bell (current CDMA providers).... So answer to yr question is probably No.

Question - Do the phones u look at dually support both GSM AND UMTS?? that would be cool...

[dragonone]

most 3G phones in the Asian market not support both gsm and umts, but watch the bands in gsm, i've seen several with dualband gsm which is not usable here