 |
|
How to Choose a Cell Phone
|
|
| |
|
Summary: Learn how to choose a cell phone based on your needs. |
| What to do |
What to look for |
 |
Identify your needs. |
- Will you use your phone when you travel?
- Will you spend a lot of time on your cell phone?
- Do you need features such as Caller ID, voice messaging, etc.?
|
|
Consider analog, digital, or dual-mode phones. |
Where you use your phone determine the type of service you need.
- Analog
- Transmits calls across the air in a continuous, fluctuating electrical signal
- Has the greatest choice in phones
- Is offered in wearable phones weighing just over 3 ounces, handheld phones, and heavy-duty phones for construction sites
Note: Most older cell phones are analog-only phones.
- Digital
- Prevents eavesdropping and number-stealing by using encryption
- Allows clearer voice transmission and less congestion
- Provides clearer sound
- Provides useful features like caller ID, paging, and voice-messaging services
- Allows for up to four times longer battery life
- Has limited use when traveling
Note: Digital phones that are called PCS (personal communication services) operate in a certain frequency band of the radio spectrum (1800 - 1900 megahertz)
- Dual-mode
- Works in both digital- and analog-only areas, offering greater flexibility
- Operates in digital mode unless the digital signal is very weak or not available, then automatically switches to analog mode
Note: Newer phones are generally either digital or dual mode.
|
|
Consider technology options. |
The main technology differences are in the methods of transmission:
- Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM)
- Uses digital technology to allow for great international roaming capability
- Operates at 850/900/1800/1900 frequency bands using SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card
- Allows for worldwide voice calling, wireless internet access, text messaging, and multimedia access
- Has widespread use in Europe and other countries
- Has a removable chip that can transfer the user's stored phone numbers, account data, and other personal information from one phone to another
- Is offered currently by two carriers (AT&T and T-Mobile) in the United States
- Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA)
- Has widespread use in Europe and other countries
- Has a removable chip that can transfer the user's stored phone numbers, account data, and other personal information from one phone to another
- Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA)
- Operates in both the 1800 - 1900 megahertz (PCS) and the 800 - 900 megahertz (cellular) ranges
- Provides the code that helps discriminate your conversation from other conversations
- Allows each cell site to handle a large number of calls, meaning less congestion on the system
- Was developed by the San Diego company Qualcomm
- Cell phone/ two-way radio units
- Operate as both cell phones and walkie-talkies
- Function in cellular mode for cellular calls and in radio mode for direct-connect radio talk
- Save money and time for group communication via direct-connect
|
|
Consider the type of battery you need. |
Your type of battery determines talk time, standby time (the time the phone is on, but you're not talking on it), and frequency of recharge.
- Nickel cadmium
- Is offered on analog phones
- Allows up to two hours of talk time and eight to 14 hours of standby time
- Is the least expensive
- Reduces talk time and requires more frequent recharging results if not completely drained each time before recharging
- Nickel metal hydride
- Is available for both analog and digital phones
- Is moderately priced
- Provides longer talk and standby times
- Doesn't require complete draining before recharging
- Lithium ion
- Is the latest technology
- Provides up to five hours of talk time and 48 hours of standby time
- Is rechargable anytime with no adverse effects
|
|
Choose a provider. |
Find out what type of service and technology each provider offers:
- Visit local showrooms.
- Contact providers' customer service representatives and visit provider Web sites:
|
|
Order your phone. |
Once you have decided on the type of cell phone you need, see How to Order Cell Phones.
|
|
If you have questions, contact the appropriate resource:
- For help with ordering, contact the UCSD Bookstore Computer Center, (858) 534-4291.
- For all other questions, see Help With Cell Phones
.
|
|
|
