What is a GSM TV Phone?

A Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) TV phone is a television phone that is capable of sending and receiving calls on the GSM network. On a GSM TV phone, users can watch TV programs just as they would on a normal television. A GSM TV phone also can offer features to facilitate phone calls and other activities typically done on a cell phone, such as texting.

The features on a GSM TV phone can vary between models and manufacturers. There are certain features, however, that often are found across different models of GSM cell phones. Multiple frequency-band capability, cameras, Bluetooth®, WiFi and touch screens are all popularly found on a GSM TV phone.

A GSM TV phone is likely to operate on tri band or quad band frequencies. These cell phone frequencies are 850 megahertz (MHz), 900 MHz, 1800 MHz and 1900 MHz. The 850 MHz and 1900 MHz frequency bands are used in North and South America, and the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz frequency bands are the bands used in Europe, Africa and Asia. Buying a GSM TV phone that can operate on all four cell phone frequency bands can help ensure that users can watch TV anywhere they travel.

Despite many models having a touch screen made to display moving pictures, they also can have a QWERTY keyboard. This can make text input less difficult for those who want to use their phone as a means to communicate through text messages or emails. It also can offer another way to manipulate the device for those who might have trouble precisely touching the screen.

Some GSM TV phones can have special features included on them. One popular advanced feature is the ability for one device to have two subscriber identity module (SIM) cards. Users are allowed to insert two SIM cards into a single GSM TV phone and receive calls that have been dialed to either of the two numbers. Hypothetically, users can choose two SIM cards with numbers from the same area code, from different area codes or even from different countries. This feature can offer greater mobility to users who frequently travel.

The deciding factor for the specific model of GSM TV phone that one buys is largely preference. Many GSM cell phones offer many of the features that consumers are used to seeing on other cell phones, but not all GSM cell phones are built with the same options. Users will have to determine which features are most important to them when they are seeking a GSM TV phone to buy.