SIM Card Vs Non-SIM Card Phones

Wireless communication has become an essential part of many people’s lives. Wireless handsets come in different types. There are those that do not use SIM cards such as the Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA). Then there is the Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) and the Integrated Digital Enhanced Network (iDEN) that both use SIM cards.

Advantages of SIM card phones over non-SIM card phones:

·         Data Portability: A SIM card is portable in a way that you can remove it and place it in another phone. This can be handy, especially if your battery goes down and you cannot charge the phone. In addition to that, you can also transfer the data that is in your SIM card to your PC. To do this you will need to get a SIM Card Reader. Doing this will help you back up your contacts

·         Ability to change phones: Phones come in different types and designs these days and one may need to upgrade the technology. These phones offer you the ability to use a different or new phone with your old card. If you are using a CDMA phone, you will need to re-enter all your contacts manually, which is rather an outdated procedure and is time consuming.

·         Ability to have more than one phone number: With GSM or iDEN phones you have the ability to have more than one phone number in the same phone as some new phone types offer multiple SIM card support, unlike the CDMA which only holds the programmed numbers.

Advantages of non-SIM card phones over SIM card Phones-

·         Data Security: This is simply because transfer of data is harder. SIM cards can easily be removed from a phone and put into another phone to copy information. This cannot happen with the CDMA phones, as there is no removable storage device.

·         No SIM card damage: Just like any device, SIM cards can get damaged. You do not have to worry about your card getting damaged, which means losing all your data, including contacts. But you can always get a replacement from your service provider at a fee. You will also be charged an additional fee if you need to get a printout of your call log information to retrieve lost contacts.

While GSM is the most used worldwide, CDMA and iDEN still remain common in the United States. However, due to slow speeds, they are not as popular as GSM phones.