When buying a new mobile phone -- and choosing a wireless phone service -- most of us look for what we think is the best deal and ask what we think are the right questions. But there's more to wireless phone service than getting the most minutes for your money. Mobile phones in the U.S. operate via different digital transmission standards; two types are CDMA and TDMA. That means the cell phone with the features you like the most may not be compatible with the service your area. It's important to match the phone model to your area's cellular service. "The consumer should think about it in terms of the reason why they can't listen to an AM station on an FM radio, it's a totally different type of technology," said Dana Schocke of Motorola. "Similarly I can't take a CDMA phone and go use it on a TDMA network. You're doing the same thing but it a different type of technology behind it which enables the same type of user experience." Many wireless phones models are available in both CDMA and TDMA, but it's key to know which service operates in your area. Experts say they both offer quality service, since TDMA and CDMA are digital technology. "Digital phones today, no matter what technology they come in, offer you many benefits," said Jason Wegh of Motorola. "It's clear that you get better voice quality and less interference because the signal is digital and the other advantage is that you have security of your voice call." GSM, the standard used in many foreign countries, is becoming popular in North America. So it's becoming increasingly important that you understand the best service for your mobile phone needs, according to the experts.
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