| The world of the mobile phone is a confusing one | | | | usually come in four different categories, dual |
| these days, particularly for those wondering how | | | | band, tri band and quad band. If thinking about |
| to start a cell phone business. Few things are | | | | how to start a cell phone business it is important |
| perhaps as confusing as GSM frequencies and | | | | to remember the different type of bands as it |
| GSM phones that seem to work in some parts of | | | | could mean the difference between your |
| the world but not in others. | | | | customer getting a high performance phone that |
| Multiple band cell phones and GSM frequencies can | | | | they're happy with and can and them getting a |
| be especially confusing for anyone wondering how | | | | shiny and costly paperweight. |
| to start a cell phone business. | | | | Dual band phone works with two GSM |
| So what is the background behind the GSM | | | | frequencies and, depending on where the phone is |
| network? | | | | made will probably work for the frequencies |
| The GSM network was first suggested by a | | | | 900MHz and 1800MHz. These phones are usually |
| group of European technicians and policy makers | | | | less expensive than other types of cell phone and |
| in 1982 and it didn't take long for consumers and | | | | it can be a good way to get a cheap cell phone |
| phone makers to adopt the new network after it | | | | that will still send SMS MMS and act as a WAP cell |
| first emerged in 1991. It wasn't long before there | | | | phone. |
| was growing GSM coverage in an increasing | | | | The tri band phone runs on three frequencies and |
| number of countries. | | | | can be used in most countries. This unlocked GSM |
| The GSM world grew quickly. There were more | | | | cell phone is a cheaper option than the quad band |
| than one million subscribers spread over 70 | | | | phone but safer than a dual band phone. |
| carriers in 30 countries by the end of 1993. | | | | Quad band phones, or international phones as |
| Not only did the new GSM mobile network send | | | | they are sometimes called, use four bands and |
| and receive all of its information digitally, making it | | | | can be used anywhere in the world. If you are |
| the first 2G mobile phone to be developed it also | | | | looking to start a mobile phone business and you |
| gave users a great deal of freedom on what | | | | wonder what is an unlocked phone guaranteed to |
| they did with it. For the first time they were able | | | | sell well and give you the least trouble with |
| to send short written messages to each other | | | | customers it will probably be this type of |
| for a fraction of the price of a phone call, they | | | | cellphone. |
| could change their carrier and/or go to a different | | | | What Are The GSM Frequencies? |
| country without getting a new phone. | | | | Almost all of the world works on the frequencies |
| All they needed to do was to take one GSM SIM | | | | 850Mhz, 900MHz, 1800MHz, 1900Mhz and in some |
| card out and replace it with another GSM card | | | | rare circumstances 400MHz although there are |
| and they were in business. | | | | some other frequencies in other locations. |
| But, as the unknown powers of the world decree, | | | | Thankfully too areas where each frequencies |
| things shouldn't be that easy and the GSM | | | | work is fairly easy to define in the very general |
| frequencies set by most of the GSM networks | | | | sense (although it always pays to check). So |
| had already been assigned to other purposes by | | | | when you're looking for what areas a cellular |
| the powers that be. | | | | phone will work in you should be able to follow a |
| So, in a situation very similar to TV watchers and | | | | rough guide. |
| people with surveillance systems, a phone that | | | | So which areas use GSM 900 and 1800 MHZ |
| worked in Sussex England wouldn't pick up | | | | signals and which areas use the GSM 850Mhz and |
| anything in San Antonio in the US. Basically it | | | | 1900MHz frequencies can usually be broken into |
| wasn't a case of one GSM frequency fits all. | | | | two groups. |
| As a result, many cell phone makers create cell | | | | If you are traveling in with your cell phone in |
| phones that can work with more than one band | | | | Oceania, Africa, Europe, Asia (except for Japan |
| with some working with as many as 4 bands. | | | | and Korea), the Middle East, Brazil and the Baltic |
| Still this doesn't mean there aren't questions and | | | | region and looking for roaming networks then |
| people are often left asking: | | | | mobile network coverage will be either 900MHz, |
| * What is GSM? | | | | 1800MHz or 900MHz and 1800MHz. |
| * What are the GSM frequencies? | | | | If you are looking for a GSM world phone that will |
| * Why do GSM phones have more than one | | | | work in the US or South America then you're |
| band? | | | | better sticking with a wireless cell phone that'll |
| * Will different frequencies work in different | | | | work on the 850Mhz and 1900MHz bands. |
| areas? | | | | Will different frequencies work in different areas? |
| * How can I check if a phone will work in a | | | | With the majority of the GSM world being broken |
| particular area? | | | | into two main groups (those that take Most of |
| * How are multiple band phones defined and | | | | the GSM world is roughly broken up into four |
| where will they work? | | | | main frequencies 900MHz and/or 1800MHz and |
| We're going to attempt to look at those | | | | 850Mhz and/or 1900MHz most unlocked GSM |
| questions in this article. | | | | phones will work on one, two or three of the |
| What is GSM? | | | | GSM frequencies around the world giving you |
| GSM, Global System for Mobile communications | | | | some level of international roaming on an unlocked |
| (or the Acronym formally known as Groupe | | | | phone. |
| Spécial Mobile) is a wireless transmission | | | | However, you possibly won't get any joy if for |
| standard used for mobile phones and, recently | | | | example you take a dual band phone designed for |
| wireless modems. GSM and CDMA differ because | | | | Europe and Asia and then try to use that |
| GSM networks use a SIM card to store all the | | | | bluetooth phone in the US. |
| necessary information to send and receive calls | | | | How can I check if a phone will work in a |
| where with CDMA phones everything is kept on | | | | particular area? |
| the phones. | | | | There are two ways to check if a phone will |
| If you are looking at how to start a cell phone | | | | work in a particular area; the first is to get the |
| business and you don't have thousands in working | | | | phone band, which can usually be found on the |
| capital GSM mobile phones will probably be a | | | | product description. |
| better option than CDMA as they won't be | | | | If you're working through how to start a cell |
| attached to a particular carrier and don't require | | | | phone business and considering phones to stock, it |
| you to be licensed to a particular provider to sell | | | | doesn't matter if you're thinking about a |
| unlocked cell phones. | | | | multimedia mobile, WAP phone or GSM watch |
| Another reason to select GSM over CDMA is that | | | | phone, the process should be the same. If you |
| it will open up the potential customer base for | | | | are sourcing cell phones from a wholesale supplier |
| each phone. As unlocked gsm phones can be used | | | | or wholesale dropship vendor put the ball into their |
| with any GSM networks. To date there is no such | | | | court. They should have that information on their |
| thing as an unlocked CDMA phone. When it comes | | | | website or product advertising material for the |
| to cell phone plans most providers (especially | | | | unlocked cell phone. |
| those in the states) love CDMA phones because it | | | | Once you've got the GSM frequency the GSM |
| locks their consumers to them. | | | | phone worked on you can make sure it will work |
| Why do GSM phones have more than one band? | | | | in your area. |
| GSM Phones come with more than one band so | | | | If you are looking for a cellphone for yourself this |
| that they will work in more than one country as | | | | could be as easy as calling your local service |
| there is more than one GSM frequency and they | | | | provider, or looking it up on sites like GSMworld |
| are not universally transmitted. | | | | dot com or worldtimezones dot com. |
| As a result, wholesale cellphone manufacturers | | | | If you are wondering how to start a cell phone |
| make GSM and GPRS phones with multiple cell | | | | business then your best course of action is to list |
| phone bands so that they can work in multiple | | | | the frequencies on the description for the GSM |
| countries. Most cell phones work on two, three or | | | | cell phone, along with the phone's other features |
| even four bands. Quad band phones are the most | | | | (like if it is a music phone or it has a good cell |
| flexible as they can be used all over the world | | | | phone camera) and tell the person who wants to |
| and are often called international phones as a | | | | buy unlocked cell phones from you which parts of |
| result. | | | | the world it will probably work in. |
| How are multiple band phones defined and where | | | | So it looks like cell phone bands and GSM |
| will they work? | | | | frequencies aren't that scary after. It's just a |
| Multiple band phones are usually defined by how | | | | case of knowing where to look and ensuring |
| many GSM frequencies they can operate on and | | | | you've got the right phone for the right location. |