Personal Communications Service, or PCS, wireless phones are virtually identical to digital cellular phones. The only real difference is the name and the frequency on which they operate. PCS phones are usually referred to as 'wireless,' instead of 'cellular,' and operate on a 1900 MHz frequency range. The networks which are available for this frequency are 'time division multiple access,' or TDMA, 'code division multiple access,' or CDMA, and 'global systems for mobile communication,' or GSM . They're all mutually exclusive which means that each network requires a specific PCS phone. Like their digital cellular predecessors, they work very well in suburban and metropolitan areas, but aren't yet available in most rural areas. This problem is addressed in tri-mode models, which seek out digital and analog cellular networks when no PCS network is present. They generally have the same advantages and disadvantages as digital cellular, but a few slight differences usually exist in the service plans. For example, many PCS plans will offer the first minute of all incoming calls for free.
c2004 Bluestreak Media. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
