using TDMA on CDMA

[snoop]

Is it possible to use a TDMA phone on a CDMA network? for example if I unlock my nokia 3560 from at&t Can I use it if I switch to Verizonwirelless?

[green gerbil]

no

[toddz]

Since Green Gerbil gave you the short answer, I figure that I would give you some more details.

The two networks use totally incompatable standards. The TDMA network is based on time division multiplexing, while the CDMA network is based on code division multiplexing. TDMA technology is mostly an open standard developed around IS-136 from the Telecommunications Industry Association. CDMA is sort of closed and is developed solely by Qualcom.

Todd

[Nanda]

Well in fact CDMA IS-95 (CDMAOne and CDMA2000 and all its variants) is a technology that's been developed by both Qualcomm and Ericsson, and there have been patent battles over it in the past.

In any case most of the patents belong to Qualcomm and the TIA-USA (Telecommunications Industry Association).

It's important, though, not to confuse the American CDMA IS-95 standard with the broader difinition of CDMA as a type of air interface - which is used even by GSM association members in their 3G UMTS networks.