US is primed to overtake Europe and Japan as the technological leader in cell phone technology

USS Clueless ^ | 5 Oct 2002 | Steven Den Beste

[#3Fan]

It seems they have entered into agreements with at least Cingular to provide some coverage in three states mentioned in the FCC report - they also have a name change coming up, to "T-Mobile" ... since they are the newest PCS provider on the block they are still building-out some parts of their network in areas they won in the spectum auction.

So if I had a unit that uses GSM, is there any way I could use it in all 50 states? Excuse my ignorance on this subject, this is probably my last question.

[apochromat]

There's no point in having different terms mean the same thing. What you described are simply multiplex formats: frequency division multiplex (FDM), time-division multiplex (TDM) and a form of code-division multiplex (CDM) based on Walsh functions, which are but one type of spreading code.
It's possible to have a multiplex system as a set of (dedicated) multiplex channels without having a channel reservation (automatic channel re-dedication, i.e. multiple access) capability.

[apochromat]

Re: "cellular network layer"

Do you mean the network of base station controllers?

The cellular network layer consists of the channel-access handshaking capability that is required in the base stations and also in the terminals.

The physical layer would include the modulation/demodulation specification, with its accompanying specification for the physical signal waveforms.

The link layer would include the format for dividing the physical multiplex channel into uplink/downlink payload channels and uplink/downlink control channels.

The network layer would use the control channels to arrange data sourcing for the payload channels.

[BJungNan]

You are talking though your hat now ... there have been a variety of plans available through the years - some as reasonable as 66 cents a day plus 10 cents a minute for 'security' use ... my use during my time with a carrier was 'non-rev' (non-revenue generating since it was a company phone that was allowed to be used for personal calls as well).

You have yet to reply to the points I raised. For starters, are you or are you not locked into a service contract with your cell phone? What does that contract cost you per month? When we get past this, we can move on to the other issues you are ignoring.

Now, so you don't accuse me of ignoring the really important details, I am off to make my donation to FR!

[SunkenCiv]

an oldie; technology related. wandered in here a few minutes ago.

[SunkenCiv]

CDMA Development Group
http://www.cdg.org/index.asp

[SunkenCiv]

Note: this topic is from 10/07/2002. Thanks sourcery.