HSDPA, GPRS, and even SIM—what do all these mean? Technology is strewn with acronyms that most of us consider when purchasing a new mobile phone—even if we don't always know what they stand for! So, brush up on your tech lingo as we explain a couple of cell phone jargon that you can impress your friends with!
SIM - Everyone knows what a SIM card is, but what does the abbreviation stand for? Subscriber Identity Module. Now you know!
GSM - Global System for Mobile Communications. This is the prevailing platform for mobile phone networks in the world. If you have a GSM phone, it basically means you can use a SIM card on it.
CDMA - Code Division Multiple Access. Some cell phone carriers in the US still use CDMA. In the Philippines, this was the standard right before texting became a phenomenon. CDMA phones don't use SIM cards.
3G - This simply stands for third-generation. A 3G network allows faster data download speeds for activities like music and video streaming.
GPRS - Not as fast as 3G, but faster than ordinary GSM—enough for you to surf the Web. If GSM is a 2G network, this (General Packet Radio Service) is 2.5G.
EDGE - Another 2.5G network with a more impressive meaning: Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution. EDGE is slightly faster, though, than GPRS—but still not fast enough to stream video.
HSDPA - This is where it gets confusing. HSDPA, which stands for High-Speed Downlink Packet Access, is a type of 3G network—but faster. Think of going broadband using your mobile phone. This is why an HSDPA network is often considered 3.5G.
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