Does bell run on GSM? Getting an HTC HD2

**bubblewhip** · 05-13-2011, 03:26 AM

Hey, I'm getting an HTC HD2 unlocked on quadriband. I looked up bell and they say their on HSPA, but called them up and their agent said their on GSM. Which is it? Is Bell on GSM or not?

**Paolo** · 05-13-2011, 06:50 AM

agent is incorrect. bell does not run a gsm network.

employees should take a mandatory cource to educate them on the difference in air interfaces, if they dont take the course, they shouldnt be allowed to go to work and tell misleading info to customers.

**Steve Punter** · 05-13-2011, 07:55 AM

HSPA is GSM, but Bell does not run a 2G GSM network. Technically the rep was correct, but the meaning many HoFo users ascribe to the term seems to be that GSM specifically refers to a 2G network.

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**Paolo** · 05-13-2011, 08:40 AM

instead of confusing people even more, why not just give a straight answer: no that phone will not operate on bell, it does not contain the required radio that bell uses. saying gsm = hspa will confuse people, no one really cares if hspa = gsm, they are only asking not cus they want to be educated, they simply wanna know if their phones will work.

**efparri** · 05-13-2011, 08:48 AM

Originally Posted by Steve Punter

HSPA is GSM, but Bell does not run a 2G GSM network. Technically the rep was correct, but the meaning many HoFo users ascribe to the term seems to be that GSM specifically refers to a 2G network.

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That is the same connotation the GSM Association ascribes to GSM. They consider 3G as not GSM. The networks used in South Korea and Japan are not called GSM networks by the GSM Association. In fact, AT&T Mobility on its international website cautions that GSM phones will not work in those two countries. Carriers who never had GSM service find it simpler to overlay WCDMA on an existing network than to change the existing network to GSM. To change the original network from CDMA or some other air interface to GSM would require all their subscribers to change handsets.

The original poster did not simply asked whether the phone would work, he asked if the network were GSM. The person who replied after you gave an answer no more confusing than yours. The definition of terms are not controlled by Howard Forum users but by international treaties.

**robsaw** · 05-13-2011, 11:44 AM

UMTS/HSPA/WCDMA are NOT GSM, repeat! So "technically" the rep WAS incorrect.

But, we've had this argument many times before on the colloquial meanings of GSM vs the technical meanings.

**drunkgoat** · 05-13-2011, 01:58 PM

you want the Telstra HD2, it's the only HD2 with fully compatible 3G bands IIRC.

**bubblewhip** · 05-13-2011, 02:06 PM

So this phone will not work on bell's network. Alright thanks, been looking forever for this information.

**jattdesi** · 05-14-2011, 04:19 AM

Originally Posted by bubblewhip

Hey, I'm getting an HTC HD2 unlocked on quadriband. I looked up bell and they say their on HSPA, but called them up and their agent said their on GSM. Which is it? Is Bell on GSM or not?

As long as you see one of these frequencies listed on the specs of the HTC HD2 you are buying, you would be fine, its better if it has both but one will be ok. HSPA 850 & 1900Mhz. I repeat HSPA 850 and 1900Mhz, not GSM/EDGE 850 and 1900Mhz