2G vs 3G. CDMA vs GSM DEMYSTIFYING 2G VS 3G CDMA VS GSM

Transcription

1 WHITE PAPER 2G vs 3G CDMA vs GSM DEMYSTIFYING 2G VS 3G CDMA VS GSM

2 A Quick History Lesson Back in 1995, the 2G digital wireless network was introduced, replacing the analog network launched in In Europe, GSM (Global System for Mobiles) network technology was used for 2G, with GPRS and Edge data service standards. In the United States, CDMA technology (Code Division Multiple Access) with CDMAOne standard was used by carriers for 2G. Since GSM has a higher performance, AT&T and T-Mobile shifted to GPRS (GSM) in the U.S., while Sprint and Verizon remained with CDMA. In Canada, Rogers was the first player to switch from CDMA to GSM (2G GPRS), while Bell and TELUS waited a few more years to leave CDMA network technology. The sunset of analog was fully terminated in 2008, meaning that all products inferior to 2G networks became obsolete and stopped functioning. In 2005, the 3G network was launched. This faster technology was the first to support video. GSM uses UMTS standard and HSPA (for 3.5G, which is even faster), while CDMA uses EV-DO data service. The main disadvantage of EV-DO is that it is limited to data or voice calls only, never both. Today, the 4 major US carriers are still divided in both technologies, but Verizon has set a shutdown date for its 2G and 3G CDMA networks in 2021, to switch onto LTE network 1. 4G-LTE is the latest evolution of GMS technology. Since 2012, major carriers have started to gradually sunset their 2G networks to focus on 3G, with full worldwide shut down by

3 timeline 2021 Verizon CDMA Sunset 2020 Sprint 2G Sunset Worldwide 2G Sunset 2019 T-Mobile 2G Sunset 2017 AT&T 2G Sunset Bell CDMA Sunset 2015 TELUS CDMA Sunset 2008 Analog Sunset G Launch UMTS (GSM) HSPA (GSM) EV-DO (CDMA) G Launch GPRS (GSM) Edge (GSM) CDMAOne (CDMA) CDMA2000 1xRTT (CDMA) 1983 Analog Launch 3

4 The Big Questions 1 Should you switch to 3G now? 2 Which wireless technology should you choose for your GPS devices, since the technology network war still remains with CDMA in one corner of the ring and GSM in the opposite one? 2G vs 3G - The Pros and Cons Despite a few early transitions in some regions, 2G network coverage remains strong across Canada and the U.S. With that said, because 3G devices are compatible with 2G networks, 3G does have the best global coverage. Pros 2G Hardware is less expensive 3G Compatible with 2G Uses less data airtime 2G networks have been gradually phasing out since On January 1 st 2017, AT&T will complete the sunset of their 2G networks, while T-Mobile has committed to a 2G network through at least , leaving Sprint with 2G coverage through AT&T has already put in place a migration plan for M2M 4 since their spectrum reallocation efforts have already begun. European carriers announced their phase out by Those various dates will force 2G products to evolve to 3G networks, since they will cease to function. Cons Global sunset by 2020 Less power consumption Longer battery life Future-proof for the next 15 years Hardware is more expensive 3G networks are optimized for data transmission, which provides a higher reliability. It consumes less power, which improves battery life. In conclusion, 2G is at the end-of-life, while 3G networks are the best value-proposition for long term application Not designed for data communication More airtime required for data transmission Higher power consumption We recommend 3G Shorter battery life 4

5 CDMA vs. GSM - The Pros and Cons Both comparable in terms of speed, reliability and coverage, CDMA airtime costs are less expensive, while hardware costs are pricier. Pros GSM International coverage Technology compatible with LTE CDMA Airtime cost is less expensive GSM is the most common mobile communication standard used throughout the world. This technology network is compatible with future network generation, such as 4G and LTE. It also has a higher security, since the SIM Card is used for authentication and authorization Moreover, by 2015 TELUS will shut down CDMA networks nationwide 4, while Bell plans for Why? This is so because they are implementing 3.5G HSPA, and because both 4G and LTE networks will only be compatible with GSM, which represents the end of CDMA network technology in favour of GSM. We recommend GSM Cons Higher security Hardware cost is less expensive Airtime cost is more expensive (but prices are decreasing) Hardware cost is more expensive Nearing end of life technology (will not be compatible with 4G and 4G LTE) No coverage in Europe Both 4G and LTE networks will only be compatible with GSM technology 5

6 IMETRIK Solution IMETRIK s GPS devices are using GSM technology, with GPRS standard for 2G devices, and HSPA for 3G (3.5G) devices. We recommend our clients to switch to 3.5G devices using GSM today, since 2G and CDMA are expected to become obsolete in a couple of years. Designed and manufactured in North America Dimensions (inches) 3 61/64 x 2 3/8 Certifications 6

7 references 1 DANO, Mike. FierceWireless, «Updated: Verizon Wireless to sunset 2G and 3G CDMA networks by 2021» 2 2G Sunset Transition: Cellular Providers to Begin to Whittle Away 2G Network, 3 Hot Seat: Sprinting to Succeed AT&T s 2G Sunset, 4 HARDY, Ian. TELUS aims to shut down its CDMA network in 2015, October NG, Gary. Bell to Shut Down Entire CDMA Network by Early April 8th AT&T. It s time to develop a migration plan for M2M 7