Basic Cell Phone Explained July 15, 2019, 07:54:36 pm /alert onThe following is just my observations and opinion. I take full responsibility for all mistakes. /alert offBase LevelTwo types of protocol of base level of transmission of cell signal.1. GSM = Global System for Mobile Communication. Most common world wide except Russia and USA. Need a sim card.Providers in USA AT&T and T-Mobile 2. CDMA = Code Division Multiple Access. Generally need sim card for LTE networks.Providers in USA Sprint, Verizon, and US CellularCell phones made for one cellular standard will not work on the other standard. Some cell phones have the ability to ‘understand’ both. Cell phones G meaning ie 2G, 3G, 4G, 5GThe G’s stand for cell generation mostly its a marketing device. As the cell phone providers update and innovate they add a new G number. There is a group that sets standards for the use of the G number. For instance the1G, or the first generation of mobile data, was introduced in 1991. Basically analog and only phone calls could be made on this protocol.2G Digital with introduction of SMS and MMS3G 2mbit/s (or 0.25 megabytes per second) data was introduced. A increase in speeds just about old fashion telephone ‘modem’ fast.4G Faster speeds almost or just under cable modem type speeds at the very low end. 4G is nowhere in the USA. It’s LTE at best. LTE stands for Long-term Evolution, and isn’t as much a technology as it is the path followed to achieve 4G speeds.5G Coming. Will replace most all hard wire modems. Will be able to get very fast/low latency speeds over the air.Cell PhonesYou get what you pay for. Low end prices cells are good for phone calling and nothing else.Mid priced cells will get you better reception in weak cell signal areas and some good image quality. The range will be good for most all folks. Top of the price range cells will be able to get reception in weak signal areas and have better image quality. Software updates and support are generally better as you go up the price range.Cell Phone OS1. IOSOnly used on Apple made devices2. AndroidRest of the cell manufactures3. There are a number of other cell phones OS's but most all are in the round off error or made by companies selling to a countries' population not available worldwide. Personal observationsI am not repeat not married to any cell phone, cell phone OS, or cell phone service provider. When folks ask me what is the 'best' I tell them to get the one their friends are using. So will they need help they have a 'friend' to fix the issues. A personal help desk is always a good thing.glen 1 Likes
Re: Basic Cell Explained Reply #1 – July 16, 2019, 01:50:49 am Glen---Thx for such a simplified layperson's primer--stuff I've wondered about as I've read/heard news reports, & certainly good to know as I contemplate moving into the 21st century. Lynne