Technically, Bluetooth is a specification for the use of low-power radio communications to wirelessly link phones, computers and other network devices over short distances. The name "Bluetooth" is borrowed from Harald Bluetooth, who was a king in Denmark more than 1,000 years ago (Computer people choose the strangest names!). Bluetooth technology was designed primarily to support simple wireless networking of personal consumer devices and peripherals, including cell phones, PDAs, and wireless headsets.

What is EDGE?
EDGE (Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution) is a radio signalling technology for 3G mobile networks. It boosts data transfer rates and volumes on existing GSM/GPRS networks by significantly increasing data transfer speeds.

How does EDGE work?
EDGE works by improving the signalling interface used to communicate over the radio waves. Typically, EDGE brings three times the performance of GPRS, achieving an average data rate of 80 to 160 kbps per user with mobile terminals supporting 2-4 timeslots. It is great for applications that transfer large amounts of data between a mobile phone and enterprise networks - such as rich email messages that include attachments.

About EDGE
Due to its high data transfer rates, EDGE has been adopted as part of ITU's (International Telecommunication Union) family of technologies. Currently, EDGE is standardized by the same 3GPP standardization body as the 3G technology, WCDMA, harmonizing the development of both EDGE and WCDMA.

Benefits of GSM & GPRS

• Faster connection
• Greater data volumes achieved
• Significant increase in functionality
• Can interoperate with with GSM networks for global coverage

What are GSM and GPRS?
GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) has become the most successful global mobile technology for mobile phones and digital cellular networks with more than one billion subscribers. GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) brings the possibility of data services and applications based on Internet Protocol (IP) to GSM mobile networks. In current network implementations, GPRS data transfer speeds are between 30 to 40 Kbit/s.

What do GSM and GPRS do?
GSM is designed to deliver high-quality and secure mobile voice and data services to mobile users. Its success is based on its inherent support for roaming and interoperability across a number of different networks and across a number of different countries. GSM is available on multiple frequency bands globally and offers the widest selection of mobile services and mobile terminals currently available.

GPRS enables fast connections through which information can be sent and received as the need arises, without having to wait for a dial-up modem to establish a connection. This is why GPRS devices are sometimes referred to be as being an 'always online' technology. And because pricing is often based on the amount of data transferred rather than the connection time, this has made GPRS applications such as email popular with small and large businesses around the world.

Benefits of GSM & GPRS

• International standard - one and the same mobile phone works across continents
• International roaming capability for professionals travelling overseas
• Well established interoperability of GSM/GPRS devices and networks

What is a SIM Card?
Thanks to SIM cards, millions of cellular phone users can easily switch telephones without losing any of their data. A SIM card (Subscriber Identify Module) is a memory chip that stores digital data such as phone numbers, phone books and text messages. It’s actually a tiny hard disk drive that automatically activates the phone where you insert it. SIM cards give you the flexibility to upgrade your cellular telephone without having to take the time to input data from your own phone to your new one.

A SIM card can come in very handy. For example, let's say your phone runs out of battery power at a friend's house. Assuming you both have SIM-based phones, you can remove the SIM card from your phone and slide it into your friend's phone to make your call. Your carrier processes the call as if it were made from your phone, so it won't count against your friend's minutes.

If you upgrade your phone there's no hassle involved. The SIM card is all you need. Just slide it into the new phone and you're good to go. You can even keep multiple phones for different purposes. An inexpensive phone in the glove compartment, for example, for emergency use, one phone for work and another for home. Just slide your SIM card into whatever phone you wish to use.

High-end cell phones can be very attractive and somewhat pricey. If you invest in an expensive phone you might want to keep it awhile. Using a SIM card, it is even possible to switch carriers and continue to use the same phone. The new carrier will simply issue you their own SIM card. The phone must be unlocked, however, and operate on the new carrier's frequency or band.

A SIM card provides an even bigger advantage for international travelers -- simply take your phone with you and buy a local SIM card with minutes. For example, a traveler from the U.S. staying in the U.K. can purchase a SIM card across the pond. Now the phone can be used to call throughout England without paying international roaming charges from the carrier back home.

SIM cards are used with carriers that operate on the Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) network. The competing network is Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), a technology created by U.S. company Qualcomm. As of fall 2005, CDMA cell phones and CDMA carriers do not support SIM cards in most parts of the world, though this is changing. A CDMA SIM card called the R-UIM (Re-Useable Identification Module) was made available in China in 2002, and will eventually be available worldwide. Expectations for the future include a cell phone market that supports both SIM (GSM) and R-UIM (CDMA) cards by default.

What Is GSM?
GSM phones require a small electronic chip, called a SIM card, to be inserted into a slot in the handset. This international SIM card is the "heart" of your phone - it contains your cell phone number, your phone book, and all of your registration information. Most companies with GSM service provide you access to over 320 GSM networks in over 140 countries.

What are Unlocked GSM Phones?
Unlocked GSM phones are either a) phones which are directly from the manufacturer which were never locked, or b) phones from a carrier which have been modified to openly work on any network.

What are the different frequencies of GSM that I need?
Most of the world's GSM networks operate at 900MHz and 1800MHz. However, in order to use the networks in the USA and Canada you will need a handset that is also capable of operating at the 1900MHz frequency. Most phones are now either "dual" "tri" or "quad band" (includes 850MHz) to serve most of the world.