Choosing between CDMA and GSM~~~~the two main digital technologies that cell phone carriers in the United States use to transmit calls.

Of the major operators, T-Mobile and Cingular use GSM, while Sprint and
Verizon
Wireless use CDMA.
Nextel uses another technology called iDEN, but it will be phased out around 2010 due to Nextel's
recent merger with Sprint.

GSM :  is the dominant cell phone technology globally. GSM is the standard in
Europe, but it's also present in North and South America, Africa, Asia,
Oceania, and the Caribbean. So GSM is a much better choice for global
travelers who want to take their phone when they go abroad. GSM phones
also use SIM cards, which make it much easier to switch your phone number and contacts list between two handsets.


CDMA: is used in fewer regions around the world, but it has a very strong
footprint in the United States. In fact, its national coverage area
here is larger than GSM when you take into account analog networks.
Though they won't be around forever, analog networks provide better
coverage in rural areas. Also, CDMA carriers have been quicker about
rolling out 3G networks. Though the GSM players will catch up eventually, they lag behind as of now.

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