CDMA vs WCDMA
CDMA stands for Code Division Multiple Access, which is a type of algorithm used in telecommunications to squeeze more usable channels within the same bandwidth. WCDMA is Wideband CDMA that still uses code division to divide the channels. The most major difference between CDMA and WCDMA is in the group of technology that it is grouped with. CDMA is a 2G technology and is a direct competitor to GSM, which is the most widely deployed technology. WCDMA is a 3G technology that is often used in tandem with GSM to provide both 2G and 3G capabilities within the same area of coverage. WCDMA and CDMA do not belong to the same line as the 3G technology of CDMA is called EV-DO and is the competitor to WCDMA.
As indicated by being a part of the 3G group of technologies, you can clearly see that WCDMA can offer much faster speeds and take advantage of the more recent services that cannot be found within basic 2G. WCDMA is also better suited for accessing the internet and emails compared to the very slow CDMA.
As indicated by the word wideband, WCDMA uses a much wider bandwidth than that of CDMA. WCDMA uses frequency bands that are 5Mhz wide compared to CDMA where each frequency band is only 1.25Mhz wide. Contrary to the popular belief that only the bandwidth has been changed with WCDMA, the differences between the two are much bigger as WCDMA was designed from the ground up and was not derived from the CDMA design. Despite this, both technologies still use code division to create a greater number of channels within the same given bandwidth and only the algorithms used vary and not the basic concept behind it.
Due to the much wider acceptance of GSM, a lot of telecommunications companies who had CDMA and EV-DO networks are beginning to adapt the GSM and WCDMA technology. This is to allow compatibility with the greater majority and to open up the options of their subscribers in terms of handset options.
Summary:
1. CDMA is a 2G technology while WCDMA is a 3G technology
2. CDMA and WCDMA are not used together
3. WCDMA offers much faster speeds compared to CDMA
4. CDMA uses frequency bands 1.25Mhz wide while WCDMA uses frequency bands 5Mhz wide
5. The WCDMA doesn’t share the same design as CDMA
6. CDMA and its successors are being phased out in favor of GSM and WCDMA
- Difference Between Sony Cybershot S Series and W Series - December 22, 2012
- Difference Between Samsung Galaxy S3 and iPhone 5 - December 21, 2012
- Difference Between Samsung Galaxy S2 (Galaxy S II) and Galaxy S 4G - December 20, 2012
It’s very useful and amazing information
Reply
it is helpful for me…..thanks to the content writer..and website maker….
Reply
thank you you supported mee
Reply
Excellent summary.
Does WCDMA has same network parameters as compared to GSM. For example, network MCC, network MNC, Cell ID, Location Area code etc.
Reply
Does a CDMA UIM Card work in a WCDMA slot?
Reply
Great! Thank you very much.
Reply
excelente
Reply
helpful
Reply
Does a CDMA UIM Card work in a WCDMA slot?
Reply
Thank you for your brief description it help me a lot
Reply
Very useful information, thanks a lot…
Reply
would a WCDMA phone work with CDMA carriers like Verizon and such?
Reply
Prior to reading this article I was always confused about the difference between CDMA and WCDMA technologies. I would like to convey thanks for taking pain to write such an illustrative article. I have a question for you. Do you think CDMA technology will become obsolete in the days to come? Will GSM+WCDMA rula the telecom world in future?
Reply
Can we use high speed in CDMA and CDMA SIM CARD
Reply
it`s clear my doubt about xiomi mi3 wcdma and gsm feature .Very useful information, thanks a lot…
Reply
That’s nice but still cant differentiate exactly
Reply
It’s very useful and amazing information
Reply
Can we use cdma seam in wcdma phone
Reply
technically illustrated, so we could not use CDMA card in WCDMA device as could not GSM
thank you
Reply
Can I Use A UIM (MTS) in W CDMA Socket . Plz Reply
Reply
good information site.thanks
Reply
Dear Frens
I GOT A DOUBT THAT WHETHER MY WCDMA DONGLE CAN WORK FOR THE CDMA SIM CARD OF BSNL.
PLEASE LET ME KNOW.
THANK YOU
Reply
very helpful for today I can differenciate it
u
Reply
Dose CDMA sim work in WCDMA slot!?
Reply
As per this write-up, CDMA sim should work in WCDMA slot. But am also searching for some response who says it definitely works…
Reply
yes it would works definetly
Reply
Nice write up, i need to know if a cdma ruim card can work with wcdma card slot.
Reply
It’s useful information but I even have the same query that, whether CDMA sim will work in WCDMA slot. . .
Plz confirm if someone can help us out. ..
Thanks….
Reply
Thanks a lot. Then what is EvDo Technology stand for?
Reply
Thank you
Reply