[attweco]

I've observed something odd.

When my BB(which is on a GSM network) is sitting next to my personal-use cell phone(which is on a CDMA network), after about 10 minutes, my BB starts to emit weird humming sounds at random intervals. And, no two "hummings" sound alike. There is no apparent trigger(such as incoming email or phone calls). If the two devices are separated by about 3 feet, the humming stops occurring.

Anyone else ever observe this?

Is this some sort of interaction between the two transmission technologies?

[John Clark]

It's the GSM phone interference. It's normal. It will do it if your GSM phone is close to any kind of speakers.

[Dubdub]

Does it in my car all the time if is near my XM. Annoying, but you learn where to place the phone so it doesn't do it.

[lmwong]

If you haven't already, check this parody site out. I couldn't stop laughing.

Feeling Cingular — A parody site. About a malady.

[wabbit]

Originally Posted by lmwong

If you haven't already, check this parody site out. I couldn't stop laughing.

Feeling Cingular — A parody site. About a malady.

rofls @ the link nice site, esp the 8k phone bill

[Karl Thoreson]

That is exactly why I use a CDMA carrier.

[John Clark]

Originally Posted by Karl Thoreson

That is exactly why I use a CDMA carrier.

It's just not that big of a deal...not a reason to choose a carrier over. (Not that there's anything wrong with one or the other.)

[John Clark]

Moved to General Blackberry Discussion

[attweco]

Thanks for the RFI info. Never had any idea it was such a pervasive problem.

BTW, the parody site was hysterical!

[takeshi]

It's much more of an issue on 850. We have very little of this with our 1900 BB's (you'd have to place your BB on the speaker to hear anything).

[JGBerry]

i don't want to turn this into a GSM vs CDMA thread (because there are so many of these already out there) but in my opinion CDMA is much better than GSM. it's ashame that GSM is the global standard and that with GSM technology, you get a SIM card etc. if CDMA had a SIM card, it would be great. CDMA punches buildings much better, and it allows you to make a crystal clear call on 1 bar. try doing this with a GSM phone...

i have my faith in CDMA but it's kind of obvious the world won't be doing CDMA. not sure what Vodafone's vision is for Verizon...there were talks a long time ago about making the transition to GSM, but that was long abandoned. Now, with Verizon trying to buy back Vodafone's share, don't expect Verizon to ever go GSM lol.

when comparing GSM to CDMA with different phones, one also needs to keep in mind the quality of the phone. one phone might sound better, regardless if it's GSM or CDMA, just because of the way it was built and the quality.

[John Clark]

If CDMA had sim cards I'd jump back in, myself. However, my experience with low signal was not good with CDMA. 1 or 2 bars with CDMA always gave me poor call quality where with GSM 1 or 2 gives me good call call quality. I decided signal bars just lie. Anyway, CDMA does win, as you say, for getting into buildings, etc. GSM varies depending on it's frequency, though. 850Mhz GSM will do better punching buildings than will 1900Mhz. However, 1900Mhz has better call quality.

[stonent]

Any device that uses TDMA signalling will do this. GSM is actually not nearly as bad as the old IS-136 or iDEN phones.

The issue is because of the "T" in TDMA. Time Division Multiple Access. Because the signal transmits at regular timed intervals, it combines together into a signal that can be picked up in the auditory range of amplifiers. CDMA's signalling is more random and does not create regularly repeating patterns that can interfere.

GSM buzzes like a mosquito, iDEN hisses and rattles like a rattle snake (or sometimes sounds almost machine-gun like). IS-136 is similar sounding to iDEN. Both of which will heavily shake a CRT (TV or Computer monitor)

[RemyJ]

GSM is moving to Wideband CDMA anyway. That's what 3G is based on.