GSM - FAQS

What is GSM?
Global System for Mobile communications and refers to a second generation mobile network that delivers high quality and secure mobile voice and data services in an open, and constantly evolving system. One of its greatest strengths is its worldwide roaming capability. This gives customers the ability to be contacted on the same number in more than 170 countries seamlessly.

What technology benefit does GSM bring?
GSM uses a combination of digital technology and Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) transmission methods. The technology allows voice to be digitally encoded via a unique encoder, which emulates the characteristics of human speech. This transmission method in turn affords a very efficient data rate/information content ratio. It also allows greater access to additional data services.

Why is Cable & Wireless moving to GSM?
More that one year ago cable & Wireless announced plans to develop a GSM network in the Caribbean starting with Jamaica in the north. The launch of GSM service in Grenada is part of that plan which will bring additional services and features to our customers. GSM allows the introduction of General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) technology, which will enable the transfer of high-speed mobile data and picture messaging.

Will there be coverage all over the island?
For launch, care is being taken to ensure coverage in key areas such as main roadways and highly populated areas across Grenada, Carriacou & Petite Martinique. The objective is to expand coverage on an on-going basis.

Are these new features going to be costly?
No. The new features are competitively priced.

Will I be able to send and receive text messages to persons on both the GSM and TDMA networks?
Yes. Cable & Wireless customers on the GSM network will be able to interact with Cable & Wireless customers just as if they were on the same network. Subscribers will be able to make calls as well as send and receive text messages between both networks.

Is GSM superior to TDMA?
Both TDMA and GSM are based on the same underlying technology – TDMA. The two simply employ different ways of delivering voice (primarily) and some data services.

Will calls on the GSM system sound any different?
No, there will be no audible difference.

What will become of the existing TDMA network?
Cable & Wireless will continue to offer TDMA services for several years. This means that persons who currently enjoy TDMA services can choose to retain these services for several years.

Will my current (TDMA) phone work on the GSM network?
No, TDMA phones will not work on a GSM network. However, as the TDMA network will remain in place for a long time to come, your phone will continue to work on our TDMA network.

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GPRS

What is GPRS?
GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) allows you to access data services from your mobile phone or laptop at speeds comparable to dialling up on a home computer. GPRS provides a new way of sending information over the Cable & Wireless mobile network.

What can I do with GPRS?
With the right GPRS-enabled handset and service plan(s), Cable & Wireless customers can send and receive pictures and sounds using your mobile phone. The new Cable & Wireless services that utilize GPRS technology are MobileWeb, Mobile Email, Downloadable Ring Tunes, Downloadable Games and Picture Messaging. And this is just the beginning. We will be adding more services in the near future.

What is MobileWeb?
MobileWeb is a new Cable & Wireless service that allows a customer to access the internet while on the move via a laptop computer or your mobile phone. The great thing about MobileWeb is that after initial connection, your MobileWeb service is “always on”. And you only pay for the information you send and receive, not for the time connected. And you can still receive voice calls while you’re connected to the Internet if using your mobile phone.

What GPRS-enabled services is Cable & Wireless now testing?
M-Greeting & Postcards
Downloadable Multimedia Games & Screen Savers
Photo Album (image/media storage)
Additional & Exclusive mobile web-ready handsets
Community Messaging
Multimedia information (weather, news, sports scores, etc.) automatically sent to your handset
Mobile phone access to Virtual Private Networks (such as corporate Intranet and internal networks)
Data Roaming (MobileWeb, Mobile Email, Multimedia Messaging, etc. availability while you travel)

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MMS

What is Multimedia Messaging Service or MMS?
MMS is a “next generation” messaging service that enables mobile communication in the form of images, text, audio clips, and ultimately video clips. It represents a transition from SMS to MMS in mobile phones, which is similar to the transition from DOS to Windows in computers. Cable & Wireless is offering Picture Messaging as our first MMS product, which is the ability to send real life photos and other images, sounds and text (or a combination of these) from person to person. More services will be introduced shortly.

Does C&W offer any MMS capable handsets?
Cable & Wireless currently offers two categories of MMS capable handsets; one that receives and sends MMS, and another one that only receives MMS messages. Nokia, 6200, 3600, Sony Ericsson T316, and Motorola T720i receive and send MMS messages. Nokia 3590 and 6590 only receive MMS messages. In order to take photographs, the handset should either have an embedded camera or a camera attachment. From the handset list above, Nokia 3650 has an embedded camera that comes as a standard feature of this phone; Motorola 720i has an included camera attachment; and optional camera attachments are also available for Nokia 6200 and Sony Ericsson T316.

How is a MMS message different from an SMS message?
SMS, or Short Message Service, is basically straight text characters, simple mono-phonic sounds, and B&W pictures made up of text characters. (You cannot take a photo and send it using SMS.) An MMS message can include full-colour graphics and polyphonic (real musical) sounds, as well as short video clips. With the appropriate phone, you can take or download photographs and send them to your friends and family. In addition, the MMS service works on GPRS, which is a higher speed data network than SMS.

What is picture and photo messaging?
Picture Messaging refers to the sending of a B&W or colour photographs or graphics from one handset to another. Pictures can include pictures stored on your handset, retrieved from an external database or website, or from a special application which will be provided by Cable & Wireless in the near future. Photo Messaging refers to the sending of a photograph taken with a camera phone. Picture messaging and photo messaging are sometimes referred to as the same thing, however, photos are actually just one type of imagery you can send and receive as a Cable & Wireless Picture Messaging customer

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SIM

What is a SIM card (SIM chip)?
The SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card (SIM Chip) is the brain of your handset. The SIM card is approximately the size of a credit card. The SIM chip is removed from the card holder and inserted into the back of the handset. It’s about the size of a postage stamp, with embedded circuitry on one side. When inserted into a GSM handset, the SIM when activated by Cable & Wireless facilitates mobile service on a particular GSM network. The card holder contains confidential information for unlocking your handset should you forget your PIN. Please store it in a safe place.

The SIM contains general information for your mobile phone service. It retains the features or services available to you as a customer, on a particular GSM network and stores information you programmed into your handset, like your phonebook. Having a SIM card makes it easy and convenient to change your handset. A SIM card will be included with the handset when you purchase your handset from Cable & Wireless.

What is the difference between a Prepaid Card and a SIM card?
A SIM card is the brain of your handset and a prepaid card is a means of applying airtime to your account. A prepaid customer will use both types of cards.

Will I be able to use my SIM Card in any GSM handset?
No. You can use your SIM card in any GSM handset purchased from Cable & Wireless Grenada or one of our authorized dealers. Mobile carriers around the world utilize handsets that operate on different frequencies that may not be able to work on our network. Many operators lock handsets to their network because of the discounted prices being offered. If you have a GSM handset that you brought to Grenada, you’ll need to bring it to a Cable & Wireless store or authorized dealer so it can be tested.

Can I roam internationally with my SIM card?
Yes, If you do not have a handset that operates on the network frequency of our roaming partner, you may be able to rent one and use your SIM card so that your calls will appear on your home mobile bill. This implies that a roaming agreement is in place with the network provider being used.