So we all have most likely seen the Google I O Keynote, but one of the things that notoriously st...

[G+_Mike Marien (x12Mike)]

So we all have most likely seen the Google I/O Keynote, but one of the things that notoriously sticks out to me, is when a device is released...  It's always a GSM (ie AT&T or T-Mobile) device.

 

From what I can remember off the top of my head, most "Developer Edition" phones, Nexus 4, and now the "DE" S4...  All GSM...  Let's also not forget the initial iPhone was an AT&T exclusive in the US forever..

 

My big question if anyone would know, is why not Verizon?

 

Do we presume it's because VZW wants everything their way, so they just say no to stock?

 

Or do we presume that money talks?  Let's face it, making a GSM handset that works in just about EVERY country on the planet is a smarter business move than narrowing exposure to one US carrier...

 

Not sure if we'll ever really know, but I'm also thinking I may not be the only one curious about this...

[G+_Nick Webster]

It's because CDMA is outdated crappy technology. GSM took over a long time ago all around the world and it would be stupid to focus just on America which is actually a fairly small market.

[G+_Elias Mårtenson]

Mike Marien, the answer is obviously twofold: First of all, pretty much all of the world uses GSM and UMTS. Secondly, to have a phone on the Verizon network, they seem to have specific requirements that are more or less incomptible with anyone who cares about flexibility and "freedom".

[G+_Cameron McDermott]

The CDMA stopped being used a number of years ago in Australia and is being dropped by many more countries for the easier GSM networks.

Making phones to run on international frequencies rather than region specific frequencies is (and therefore multiple region specific devices) is far more cost and manufacturing effective.

It serves better for the consumer who will probably own a device that will definitely be supported with updates to a device owned by many people than a device own by fewer, simply because of a different network system.

[G+_Quincy Earl Jones]

CDMA profiles used by U.S. carriers are proprietary. That's why you have keep flashing the latest radio, PRL, etc. when rooting and romming. GSM is an open standard. Phone subsidies and early termination fees are especially vicious for CDMA carriers because you can't take the phone elsewhere. Even unlocked phones bought straight from the manufacturer don't work on Verizon or Sprint. That's why Google goes with GSM.

[G+_Roland Jay Roberts]

Once Verizon is all LTE (and using Voice over LTE instead of CDMA for voice), this CDMA vs GSM issue will go away. Can't happen fast enough.

[G+_Chris Sucharda]

If a iPhone can be used on any carrier or even better yet on gsm, lte, CDMA network why hasn't any other android phone manufactor stepped up and done same thing.

[G+_Elias Mårtenson]

Roland Jay Roberts, LTE has much shorter range, and is really only usable in cities. You still need GSM for the long range cover.

[G+_Roland Jay Roberts]

Chris Sucharda Actually most of Verizon's newer phones are Verizon CDMA & LTE (Verizon) + Quad-band GSM. (and usually unlocked, at least for international use.)

[G+_Alex Kruger]

Dear Elias Mårtenson Roland Jay Roberts

 

The issue right now with voice over LTE, besides actually rolling it out, is the radio is such a massive battery hog. It shoots battery life in the face then tea bags it like a 14 year old boy playing COD to resolve his anger issues caused by his over bearing parents.

 

Don't blame Verizon for being the misunderstood bully down the block, once you get to know him you'll understand why he is such a dick.

 

- From your friendly neighborhood Verizon rep?

[G+_Mike Marien (x12Mike)]

Brandon Trivett Good point, I had forgotten about that..

[G+_Mike Marien (x12Mike)]

Elias Mårtenson I completely agree with you on this referencing VZW's stubbornness and overwhelming requirements...

[G+_Mike Marien (x12Mike)]

So first off, great discussion, and I am enjoying reading everyone's input!

 

Now, to address some things.. Up the top, may of you referenced CDMA as old tech, and I will agree, however VZW's LTE rollout is damn near done, and they aren't looking back, so why should we? (Course as you read down, you realize VZW folks NEED to keep CDMA around, for a bit longer...)

 

Also, as +Roland Jay Roberts mentions, and most of us I presume knew, LTE on VZW is only for data currently.  You can talk and use data now on VZW, because the data uses the LTE radio, and the call uses the CDMA radio...  This would be the aforementioned reason we need CDMA on VZW...   Interestingly, AT&T still likes to throw this around as something only their network can do..  course I suppose they do it with only one radio...  

 

However, as +Roland Jay Roberts mentions and as it stands right now, my aged Droid Razr can go LTE, CDMA and GSM for international (or at least it appears it can)...  Verizon makes "international" phones, which in my head means they have a GSM radio in them as VZW's LTE and CDMA bands are no where other than the US.

 

I also believe a few radio manufactures are making the "One Radio To Rule Them All" chips to eliminate this stupidity...  

 

The question begging to be asked:  If VZW can now provide a phone to me that I can take to another country and use the GSM bands there, would there not already be CDMA, LTE and GSM radios in that device?

 

And I suppose this would be another conversation, but I don't by TV from my cable provider, and my TV works with any one...  I don't by my computer from my ISP, and I can use it with any one..  I don't by my car at an Exxon, Gulf or Shell station, and can fill up at any gas station...  and for the older folks who still have them, you don't buy your land-line phone from your phone company...  (For you young folks, yes phones used to have wires :) )

[G+_Mike Marien (x12Mike)]

Ted Curran I actually posted my comment before I read this article, however it appears quite informative, so thanks!  As I read through it, it looks like all the thoughts and assumptions I had, are pretty much the reality...