http://www.cellular-news.com/story/18084.php

on the other hand CDMA networks are heading towards implementing GSM because of falling market share
http://www.cellular-news.com/story/18072.php

True,

But coming from CDMA country (North America), I'd love to have a cheap roaming solution to get me coverage on CDMA networks. On the other hand the GSM situation is not what it used to be in the US. I had GSM coverage in Michigan's Upper Pennisula last year. With Cingular being the US's GSM powerhouse and TMobile being in the list of big players, I think most rural careers will start supporting both GSM and CDMA. These carriers make more money from roaming than subscribing.

On the other hand, only Yanks and Cannucks are going to benefit from this. The Pidgeon River Telephone Cooperative is probably not going to sign a roaming agreement with Mobikom or Orange IL.

Stu

Some years ago I said that I'd stop calling the GSM coverage in the US "inadequate" when there was coverage in Chadron, Nebraska (a little town out on the wind-swept western plains). Well, it just showed up on T-Mobile's map (as a roaming area). So I guess that GSM is now good enough in the US.

Samsung already launched a GSM/CDMA handset nearly 2 years ago.....it was the SGH-A790:

http://www.phonescoop.com/phones/phone.php?p=406

It isn't GPRS or GSM data-capable, it only supports CDMA's BREW data protocol.

The SIM Card slot is only enabled on the GSM side. You need to be able to manually program in all the CDMA settings which means that GSM carriers can't simply negotiate roaming agreements with these companies and sell you a dual mode phone.