Smartphones and the internet are being used more extensively today than ever. This is the peak time of internet usage by users worldwide and the graph will go on increasing exponentially now. Today, the internet is accessible to almost everyone out there and this is like a boon to every user. All of us browse the internet for work, leisure, and various other purposes. However, very few of us know the background of how things are working. This is the best example of what we call ‘data abstraction’ (which is an Object Oriented Programming principle). Anyway, that’s not our topic for today. In this article, we will be looking at LTE CDMA vs Verizon Global, the two most popular mobile network carrier modes in the U.S.
We will analyze in great detail, the similarities and differences between them. If you are confused between which mode to keep your smartphone in, LTE CDMA or Global, then here you will have the Ureka moment.
After reading this article, you will be able to decide on which mode you should keep your mobile network in. We will also be looking at the technicalities in detail. In the end, we will also look at the Verizon Error 5 and some ways to fix it. Let us not dive into what is LTE CDMA in detail so as to not leave you with any doubts unresolved.
What is CDMA?
Firstly before jumping to any other piece of information, we need to look at each term separately. First off, we will discuss what CDMA is. CDMA stands for ‘Code Division Multiple Access.’ It is a sort of multiplexing, which allows multiple signals to inhabit a single transmission channel. CDMA makes optimum use of the available bandwidth and ensures minimum bandwidth wastage.
The CDMA technology is most commonly used in UHF (Ultra-high frequency) cellular phone systems. The frequency bands ranges between 800 MHz to about 1.9 GHz. In CDMA technology, the user is the one with access to the entire bandwidth for the complete duration. DS-CDMA, that is Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum Modulation, and frequency hooping or mixed CDMA detection (JDCDMA) are the techniques used.
A code, known as spreading code is used to generate a signal which extends over a wide bandwidth. In terms of numbers, by processing each voice packets with two PN codes, CDMA allows up to 60 to 61 users in a 1.228 MHz channel simultaneously. There are mainly four factors that decide the CDMA capacity. They are mentioned as follows:
- Processing Gain
- Signal to Noise Ratio
- VAF (Voice Activity Factor)
- FRE (Frequency Reuse Efficiency)
What is LTE?
LTE stands for Long-Term Evolution. LTE is a standard for wireless telecommunication for mobile devices. It is mainly linked with GSM/EDGE and UMTS/HSPA standards. LTE is commonly associated and used with the fourth-generation global wireless communication standard, popularly known as 4G. Data is transferred faster and with much lower latency through LTE.
LTE is related to cellular access network that has high spectral efficiency, short round trip time, high peak data rates, and the frequency and bandwidth are very flexible. It has greatly improved hardware and software network technology such as battery usage, latency, speed, and cost efficiency.
What are the benefits of LTE technology?
The following are some of the benefits that LTE technology has delivered worldwide:
- LTE connectivity is almost universally available worldwide. All commercial or industrial applications and customers can use LTE.
- For low-cost affordable devices and low power apps, LTE provides higher speeds. Hence, a single technology foundation is being used for a wide variety of use cases.
- 4G LTE, 4G LTE Advanced technologies will be supporting migration needs in the regions where 5G will not be available for a certain time.
- LTE provides highly efficient and sustainable long-term network continuity.
How does LTE work?
Before proceeding further to discuss about LTE CDMA and compare it with Verizon Global, we need to see how LTE works. I will not go into the full technical details, but you will get a simpler idea of how LTE works.
Basically, LTE is a redesign of the 3G standard. It is specifically designed for faster and low latency data transmission. The redesign includes the following:
- An IP address-based core network.
- A new modulation method.
- A simplified network architecture.
- Multiple input and multiple output (MIMO) radios for devices
- A new radio interface
At a higher level, here is how LTE works:
- LTE offers increased throughput and speed and much lower latency throughout the network. This makes it a huge improvement upon the performance of the 3G network.
- LTE requires completely new hardware architecture, since it operates on a separate spectrum from 3G network.
- LTE provides fast download speeds. The download speeds are in several 100th Mbps (Megabits per second). For comparison, the download speed for 3G was several 10th Mbps. So, LTE is about 10 times faster than 3G.
- Major technologies that LTE support are data, voice (VoLTE), and instant messaging.
What is Global Mode?
Now that we have come a long way through, looking at what is CDMA, LTE and how LTE functions, it’s time for throwing some light on Global Mode. Global mode is one of the settings amongst other options provided by your network carrier Verizon. It is the most preferred setting that allows you to easily connect with any GSM network when you are travelling outside U.S. When you travel outside of the United States, the global mode gets turned on.
This is kind of analogous to ‘Data roaming’ in Indian telecommunication language. However, even when you are within U.S. and are facing issues with LTE/CDMA, you can turn on the global mode. The Global mode is the preferred network setting when LTE/CDMA malfunctions or its services become unavailable in your area. The global mode tries to overcome the network obstructions by connecting to the most recent and nearest technology.
LTE CDMA vs Global
The LTE/CDMA network setting is the default setting that your mobile phone is on. LTE/CDMA promises the most reliable and strong network and signal quality. It is the most popular option among those that are struggling with poor signal issues at some location. Throughout the U.S., a lot of problems regarding changing network modes occur, and the LTE/CDMA and Global mode Verizon usually gets you out of such situations – one or the other. If LTE/CDMA network is not available in the area you are currently in, try switching to Global mode.
LTE/GSM/UMTS is another network setting provided by Verizon. When both LTE/CDMA and Global mode are not responding, or are giving poor signal, try switching to LTE/GSM/UMTS. If only UMTS is available in your area, running on UMTS mode will provide you reliable signal quality. UMTS is a universal system with 3G internet settings.
Which network mode to use – LTE/CDMA or LTE/GSM/UMTS or Global?
To know this you need to go into the in-depth information about it as it cannot be told in a few words, and honestly it is not in your hands. You have to stay on the network mode that is supported in your area. If you are in an area that does not receive UMTS signals, putting your phone on LTE/GSM/UMTS mode will do you no good. So, which network mode to use is completely dependent on your current location.
As a matter of fact, if you are living in the U.S, then obviously the ideal network setting would be LTE/CDMA. If you are travelling internationally outside the U.S., you might want to switch to the Global mode. The Global mode is designed especially for foreign travels. If you are facing poor network signals on LTE/CDMA mode inside the U.S on your Verizon SIM, then you should switch to LTE/GSM/UMTS network mode.
Verizon has a better network coverage for LTE/CDMA network mode. It is also battery efficient. In a Verizon phone, the global network type is set by default, which you can change from the settings if required.
Conclusion
Hence, we now come to an end with our article about LTE/CDMA vs Global. We discussed in great detail about CDMA, LTE, LTE-CDMA, and Verizon global. You now know which network mode is the best for you – it actually depends on your location. If you are getting poor signal on one network mode, try switching to the other until you get a stronger signal. If you are going on a trip outside the U.S., this article has mentioned how you can change your network settings to the optimal mode. Finally, we ended our discussion by throwing light upon the Verizon Error 5 and how to fix it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Now that you have a basic idea of which network type to keep your device in depending on your location, here you will find out how to change the network mode. The steps will differ slightly for Android devices and iOS devices running on Verizon SIM.
Go to the Settings app on your device. Scroll down and find ‘Network and Internet’ or an equivalent or similar option. Then click on it.
Next, click on the ‘Mobile Network’ or ‘Mobile Networks’ tab. Click on ‘Preferred Network Type’ or an equivalent option.
There will be certain options like global, LTE/CDMA, LTE/CDMA/GMS, LTE/GSM/UMTS, etc. Depending on your location, choose the network mode you prefer and save the setting.
In the case of international carriers, they are selected on an automated basis. If you wish to change the international carriers manually, it is possible with the help of Settings or the app named as Connection Manager app. Follow the steps carefully to change the network type using the Verizon Connection Manager app.
Open the Verizon Connection Manager app on your device.
Go to Network Settings.
A drop down menu will open. There will be multiple options to choose from. From here, choose the appropriate network type depending on your current location.
Save the changes. You may need to restart the device for the new settings to show their respective efforts and functions.
Here are the steps to change the network mode for traveling outside the United States. The steps are different for android phones and iOS phones.
Android Device
You have to follow these steps before leaving the U.S. for your trip.
Go to the Settings app.
In the Settings menu, click on More Networks. Then, click on Mobile Networks. Next, click on Network mode.
From here you have to select the appropriate network mode. The options are Global, LTE/CDMA, or GSM/UMTS. The global carrier will be selected by default. There might be times, when you wish to change or replace the carrier network to some other carrier so you should know that it may require about six registration attempts before success.
After choosing the preferred network mode, go back to Mobile Networks and click on ‘Global Data Roaming Access.’
Click on ‘Allow access’ option for all the trips.
Set ‘Global Data Roaming Access’ back to deny when you return back to the U.S. Also, you need to set the network mode back to LTE/CDMA or LTE/GSM/UMTS according to what is available in your location.
iOS Device
For iOS device, here are the steps to change the network mode when you are traveling outside the U.S.
Go to Settings > Cellular > Roaming. If not enabled, then enable the option ‘Voice Roaming.’
Enable ‘Data Roaming.’ Select the International CDMA to enable the same.
So, a total of three options are to be enabled – voice roaming, data roaming, and international CDMA.
The Verizon Error 5 is related to network problems. When you are facing network issues due to wrong network mode in a particular location, it is very likely that you will face the Verizon Error 5. This error obstructs any data exchange from your device and also stops your important calls and transactions. However, here are some of the ways to get you out of the error.
The network is Out of Access in the region: If you are facing Verizon error 5 that says ‘Other Network Problem’ when trying to use the internet, the issue is generally because of a network outage. So, your hands are tied – you have got nothing to do but wait for the network to come back in the region.
Shut down your phone: This is not a robust solution to the Verizon error, but it is reported to solve the error many times. If some temporary bug causes the error, then shutting down your phone or restarting it can easily eliminate the error.
Call the Verizon customer care center: If the two fixes mentioned above do not work, this is the only remaining way. Your call will definitely be answered by experienced Verizon employees who have already solved such errors for their customers previously. This might be the quickest solution possible, because you will also come to know the exact reason for the error from the customer care executives.
Awill Guru is a technology enthusiast with degrees in VLSI Engineering (B.Tech, M.Tech) and Android Development. Their passion for education drives them to teach and share knowledge through their blog. He also hold qualifications in Sociology (M.A.) and Education (B.Ed), along with NIELIT O and A Level certifications.
