WCDMA v. HDSPA v. UMTS

PhotoJim · 27-01-2008, 17:26

WCDMA is an interface between the phone and the network.

The first generation of WCDMA phones used UMTS.

The second generation uses HSPA, which permits faster data transfer. It is backwards compatible with UMTS.

All WCDMA networks to my knowledge support UMTS. Only some support UMTS.

If you get a device that supports UMTS but not HSPA, you will be able to use 3G WCDMA networks but those that support HSPA will only work for you at UMTS speeds. If you use an HSPA phone on a UMTS network that doesn't support HSPA, again your phone will work but you will not get the maximum speed your phone can handle.

If you need HSPA where it's available, get an HSPA phone. If you don't, a UMTS phone will suffice. For voice, the difference is nil. It's only a data issue.

	(#3)
PhotoJim (Offline) Senior Member Prepaid Expert Posts: 389 Join Date: 10 Dec 2006 Location: Regina, SK, CA Country:	27-01-2008, 17:26 WCDMA is an interface between the phone and the network. The first generation of WCDMA phones used UMTS. The second generation uses HSPA, which permits faster data transfer. It is backwards compatible with UMTS. All WCDMA networks to my knowledge support UMTS. Only some support UMTS. If you get a device that supports UMTS but not HSPA, you will be able to use 3G WCDMA networks but those that support HSPA will only work for you at UMTS speeds. If you use an HSPA phone on a UMTS network that doesn't support HSPA, again your phone will work but you will not get the maximum speed your phone can handle. If you need HSPA where it's available, get an HSPA phone. If you don't, a UMTS phone will suffice. For voice, the difference is nil. It's only a data issue. CA: SaskTel, Wind postpaid; Rogers, Bell postpaid iPad flex plans; US: T-Mobile postpaid data, prepaid voice; PureTalk (AT&T MVNO) prepaid voice/data; AT&T prepaid iPad plan Hardware: Too much but notably iPhone 5, iPad Mini Retina LTE, Moto G LTE (N.A. version), iPhone 4. All unlocked.