In some respects Silicon Valley achievements are astounding and admirable, but in others--such as cell phone technology, specifically, GSM phones--the valley's so behind the eight ball it ought to put the cue stick back in the rack and go home for a spell. GSM is now an acronym for global system mobile communications technology.

GSM is also the world's leading cell phone standard. Developed in Europe, when the acronym still meant Groupe Spéciale Mobile, the technology spread quickly to Africa, Asia, and the Pacific Rim. It came to America only about 10 years later. GSM phones in the United States operate on the same (basic) principle as almost all others in the world but at a different frequency.

The Evolution of GSM Phones

From 1978 to 1987 mobile communications in the United States were analog, which works very much like a radio. Both transmitter and receiver are tuned to the same frequency and the number of users is limited. This inefficiency led to digital technology (GSM phones are digital). In digital wireless, analog voice signals are converted to binary code. There are three digital technologies--TDMA, GSM, and CDMA.

After a 1987 Federal Communications Commission ruling, cell phone technology in the United States was left to develop along any technology service providers wished. TDMA, which means time division multiple access, was released in 1994 (AT&T and Cingular). GSM, which is based on a marriage of TDMA and analog, offering 200 channels instead of 30, and each channel with eight rather than three slots, was released in 1995 (Cingular, T-Mobile, and AT&T). CDMA, which means code division multiple access, was released in 1996 (Sprint and Verizon). All wireless in the United States uses either the 800/850 MHz or the 1900 MHz frequency channel, or both.

In Europe, however, the concept and consensus on wireless had developed earlier, by 1985. A unified system for a wireless network was planned from the start. The advantages of digital over analog were recognized immediately--excellent sound quality, high security, and data capability. The technology, along with the 900 and 1800 MHz frequencies, was used as the standard from the get-go. GSM phones are the only wireless technology outside of the United States and a few South American countries.

GSM Phones in America

Another key difference in GSM technology in America and the rest of the world is the link between customer and service provider. In America the service is hard coded into the phone. When you switch providers, you're forced to buy a new phone. Elsewhere, service comes from a removable tiny circuit board--SIM, or subscriber identification module. When you subscribe for wireless service, the company gives you a SIM to pop into your phone.

GSM phones in the United States not only operate on a different frequency than most others in the world, but also are not even the standard technology in America or the precise same technology as in Europe or Asia. What this means is that there's a 99 percent chance that your cell phone is next to useless when you travel abroad. If you're willing to pay from $1 to $7 a minute for a wireless phone connection, however, you can usually get service.

Most wireless phones in the United States are either TDMA or CDMA. Bare bones phones cost very little. In shopping for GSM phones, you'll see several terms describing their technology--hybrid, dual band, tri-band, quad-band, and world--and be paying for the added technology. Costs soar. Expect prices as high as $800 down to $250, rather than the $100 or $50 or free phone you get with a two-year plan. Your best bet is for a tri-band that covers 900, 1800, and 1900 MHz, which will give you the best geographical coverage worldwide.

Free cell phones aren't as hard to get your hands on as you might think. If you're looking for top of the line models, you're definitely going to have to pay something, but there are still plenty of high quality phones out there that you can get absolutely free. Free cell phones are available from virtually any manufacturer and cell phone provider.

If you're looking for free cell phones, there are a few different ways to get them. The main ways to get free cell phones are through pre-paid plans and through extended service contracts. Each of these methods has its risks and its benefits, so the best thing to do is to gather as much information as possible before making a choice. It's important not to be tempted simply by the idea of a free cell phone--you should always pay just as much attention to the service plan that comes with the phone.

Free Cell Phones with Prepaid Service

The cheapest and easiest way to get free cell phones is to sign up for prepaid call phone services. Prepaid service basically means that you put a certain amount of money down in advance--usually $25 to $100--and you basically use the phone until the money runs out. Most prepaid service plans give you around 1,000 minutes for $50, so once you've used your 1,000 minutes the phone will no longer work.

The good thing about prepaid phones is they can easily be "recharged"--all you have to do is add more money to the account in order to get more minutes. They also allow you to avoid costly overage charges, since you're only using what you've already paid for. There is no surprise at the end of the month in which you find out you've used a lot more minutes (and have to pay a lot more money) than you expected.

Even the cheapest prepaid plans typically come with free cell phones. They aren't the best phones on the market, but they're still way ahead of what was on the market only a few years ago. They have features like downloadable ring tones and color screens, and you can usually even keep the phone once your prepaid service plan has expired.

Free Cell Phones with Long-Term Service Contracts

The only way to get a really good cell phone completely free is usually to sign up for a long-term contract with a reputable service provider. Since the cell phone companies are constantly competing with each other for customers, long-term contracts help them out by locking you in to their service for periods ranging from six months to several years. This sounds a bit scary, but if you find a good provider, it can work well for both parties.

Since signing a long-term contract ensures the provider that you will be paying a minimum amount each month for at least six months, they are able to offer you freebies. Typically, when you sign up for a plan they will give you a free phone that might regularly cost as much as $250. They do this by subsidizing the price of the phone with some of the money that they know you'll be spending each month on your service.

If you're already locked in with a service provider, there still is hope for you for getting a new free cell phone. If your contract has expired or is nearing its expiration date, you can always call your service provider and tell them you are thinking about switching to another company. In an effort to keep your business, they will usually offer you a brand new phone free of charge!

Cell phone reviews are a great way to gather information before you make a cell phone purchase. They can keep you informed on the latest models, which phones work with which carriers, and which phones get the best reception. When reading cell phone reviews, however, it's always important to keep in mind your own cell phone needs.

Utilizing Cell Phone Reviews

If you're reading cell phone reviews that bash a particular model of phone or service provider, you might want to look a bit deeper before making a decision. Some carriers work better in some cities than others and some phones may work better in cities than in the countryside. What this means is that cell phone reviews are slightly unreliable--unless you're reading a review written by someone who lives in your neighborhood and has exactly the same needs and requirements, their opinions might not apply to you.

There are, however, some things that you should pay attention to in cell phone reviews. One is durability. If people regularly complain that a particular phone is flimsy and prone to breaking, it's a good idea to avoid it. Cell phones are too expensive to buy one and then watch it break a few weeks after you start using it.

Another important thing to look for is people's experiences with cell provider customer service. I have been with the same cell phone provider for several years now, mainly because I find their customer support to be much better than what I've experienced in the past. Picking a company with reliable support can save you a lot of headaches in the long run.

No contract cell phones are for those who are tired of getting locked in a contract with a service provider, as well as for those who simply need to replace their damaged or lost cell phone. Unlike phones offered in sign-up promotions, no contract cell phones are rarely free--but there are some exceptions.

How to Get No Contract Cell Phones

If you don't currently have cell phone service, you'll need to subscribe to some kind of plan in addition to buying a phone. Fortunately, several carriers offer no contract deals where you simply pay as you go. This typically involves pre-paying in fixed increments for certain amounts of minutes, and when your minutes are up, your phone stops working.

These prepaid services are the best way to get no contract cell phones. Many of them will, in fact, give you a free phone if you pay enough in advance. A friend of mine recently bought a prepaid service for only $50, and got a great Nokia phone for free. The great thing about these services is that when you've used up your $50, you can simply walk away, and you still get to keep the phone.

No contract phones are also available from the major carriers on a normal monthly basis. If you're unwilling to sign a contract, however, you will pay a lot more for the phone and for your monthly service. If a one-year contract gives you a free phone and 1,000 minutes per month for $39, a no-contract plan typically will cost closer to $75 per month--and you'll have to pay for the phone up front.