There are many types of wireless network technologies to choose from. This guide will help explain the different types of wireless networks and how their used. Click on the links below to learn more:

• CDPD

• GSM

• CDMA

• TDMA

• iDEN

• Mobitex

• Bluetooth

• 802.11b

CDPD

CDPD – Cellular Digital Packet Data – is a packet switched digital technology, created specifically for the purpose of sending data over cellular networks. CDPD is based on the Internet Protocol (IP), making it compatible with most TCP/IP applications including Internet email and Web browsing apps. The speed of CDPD networks can be as much as 19 kbps, with average speeds that are typically lower. CDPD also uses cellular frequencies in the 800-900 MHz range. Current coverage spans across 120 cities and metro areas, but not widely available everywhere. AT&T, GoAmerica, OmniSky and Verizon use CDPD for their services.
 

GSM

GSM – Global System for Mobile Communications – is a circuit switched technology, meaning data is only sent when needed, and users pay for the amount of time they are “connected.” GSM supports the TCP/IP protocol, and provides speeds between 9.6 and 14.4 kbps as well as use of 1900 MHz frequencies in North America and 800-900 MHz frequencies in Europe and Asia. GSM is also a world-wide standard; most countries use GSM for most mobile phones and wireless data communications. VoiceStream and Cingular are two carriers that provide GSM.
 

CDMA

CDMA – Code Division Multiple Access – is a “spread spectrum” voice technology, meaning that it allocates data over all available bandwidth. It supports speeds up to 14.4 kbs. The origin of CDMA arises from the military, as it was originally developed to shield communications from enemy detection. CDMA mostly supports the PCS (Personal Digital Communications) platform, which is currently used by Sprint PCS and Verizon Wireless.
 

TDMA

TDMA, or Time Division Multiple Access is a circuit switched technology. It supports speeds up to 120 Kbps (in expanded multiples of 64 Kbps) as well as 800-1900 MHz frequency channels. This enables operators to offer personal communication-like services including fax, voiceband data, and short message services (SMSs) as well as bandwidth-intensive applications such as multimedia and videoconferencing. Two TDMA providers are AT&T and Cingular.
 

iDEN

iDEN - Integrated Digital Enhanced Network - is a wireless technology from Motorola combining the capabilities of a digital cellular telephone, two-way radio, alphanumeric pager, and data/fax modem in a single network. iDEN operates in the 800 MHz, 900MHz, and 1.5 GHz bands and is based on time division multiple access (TDMA) and GSM architecture. iDEN is currently used by Nextel Communications.
 

Mobitex

Mobitex is a data-only, packet based radio network. Speed is limited to 8kbps, but is supported in over 20 countries worldwide offering fairly broad availability. Mobitex is currently used by Palm.net for Palm VII PDAs.
 

Bluetooth

Bluetooth is a short-range radio network. It provides the devices the ability “talk” to each other in a “personal” network, such as portable MP3 players that use wireless headphones, notebook computers such as Compaq’s “tweener” that use detachable wireless keyboards and much more. Bluetooth operates in the 2.4 GHz ISM spectrum, and avoids interference by shifting frequencies in noisy environments. Bluetooth network based products will begin shipping mid-2001.
 

802.11b

802.11b is a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) technology, and offers speeds up to 11 Mbps. 802.11b was built to add greater mobility to current LAN networks, if not completely replace Ethernet cabling in some instances. 802.11b is also used in many homes, allowing users to network their computers without the inconvenience of going into walls to run cables themselves or hiring a 3^rd party contractor.