On Fri, Sep 4, 2009 at 10:15 AM, Ben Scott<mailvor...@gmail.com> wrote: > GSM and iDEN networks use SIM cards. CDMA networks do not. CDMA > associates subscribers with the ESN/MEID of the phone.
Oh yah, and: ESN = Electronic Serial Number MEID = Mobile Equipment Identifier IMEI = International Mobile Equipment Identifier All three of the above identify a particular phone. GSM uses IMEI. CDMA used to use ESN, but they used a small, fixed sized field, and are running out of ESNs. So they invented MEID, which is more like an IMEI, except administrated by a different agency because having all one system would make things easier, and the wireless industry hates that. SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) cards have their own IDs, and can also contain the phone book/contact list for a phone. Service (mobile telephone number) is associated with the SIM ID. Systems which use SIMs make it easy to switch phones. You can just swap the SIM to the new phone, and you get your number and phone book instantly. For systems without SIMs, you have to call the carrier and have them transfer service to the new ESN/MEID at their end. -- Ben
