What is the difference between CDMA and GSM technology?

In cellular service there are two main competing network technologies: Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) and Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA).

The GSM Association is an international organization founded in 1987, dedicated to providing, developing, and overseeing the worldwide wireless standard of GSM. CDMA, a proprietary standard designed by Qualcomm in the United States, has been the dominant network standard for North America and parts of Asia. However, GSM networks continue to make inroads in the United States, as CDMA networks make progress in other parts of the world. helpful. Some of the brands which offer CDMA phones in India include - Nokia, Samsung, LG, HTC, etc

On a CDMA phone (an older technolgy) the radio settings etc are hard programmed into the phone and it uses a more ghetto system.
On a GSM phone (a newer technolgy) the radio settings etc are programed onto a portable sim card that can move from phone to phone. It uses a more advanced system