A third generation (3G) mobile wireless technology that offers high data speeds to mobile and portable wireless devices. WCDMA is used to increase the capacity and coverage of wireless communication networks, for example, in the third generation mobile communications systems, such as UMTS.

A refinement of CDMA technology that could raise data transmission rates up to two megabits per second. W-CDMA spreads the chips of the wireless signal over a much wider band of frequencies than CDMA does. This is the air interface technology selected by the major Japanese mobile communications operators, and in January 1998 by ETSI, for wideband wireless access to support third-generation services. This technology will permit very high-speed multimedia services such as full-motion video, Internet access and video-conferencing.

See WCDMA.