We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Networking

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is WCDMA?

John Lister
By
Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 48,325
Share

WCDMA stands for Wideband Code Division Multiple Access. It is one of the main systems used for third generation, or 3G, mobile communication networks. The term is often used interchangeably with UMTS, which stands for Universal Mobile Telecommunications Systems. Technically WCDMA is merely one example of UMTS technology.

The most prominent use of WCDMA is in Japan where the country's largest mobile phone operator, NTT DoCoMo uses the technology. It was DoCoMo which originally developed WCDMA. The firm then successfully lobbied for it to be accepted as an international standard.

WCDMA is used across the world in dozens of countries. It is most prominently used in Asia and Europe. Outside of Japan, the UMTS name is generally used for marketing the system.

The WCDMA system combines two main types of mobile phone technology: CDMA and GSM, which stands for Global System for Mobile communications. In the United States, most cellphone network providers use only one of these two technologies. One of the main reasons WCDMA has struggled to get a foothold in the US is that it uses two channels, each covering 5Mhz. This is a relatively large "chunk" of the airwaves, which has been problematic as the US was slow to allocate new frequencies specifically for 3G systems.

There are several key advantages to WCDMA. One is that each transmitter is assigned an identification code. This means that data from multiple transmitters can be carried over the same frequency in the same geographical area at the same time without interference or loss of signal strength.

The system also uses power control. This adjusts the strength of the signal transmitted by each cellphone so that it reaches the nearest transmitter at the same strength, regardless of how far away the phone is. This avoids the transmitter receiving signals which are excessively strong or weak, which could limit the transmitter's efficiency.

Another benefit is that WCDMA can cope particularly well when there are many devices in one area. This makes it particularly suitable for densely populated areas such as some major Asian cities. The system is also well suited to the technical requirements presented by video calls.

The main disadvantages of WCDMA are that it is not used throughout the entire world, which limits take-up of compatible handsets among people who travel internationally, and that it is a relatively complex system which can be expensive to introduce into a new market.

Share
EasyTechJunkie is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
John Lister
By John Lister
John Lister, an experienced freelance writer, excels in crafting compelling copy, web content, articles, and more. With a relevant degree, John brings a keen eye for detail, a strong understanding of content strategy, and an ability to adapt to different writing styles and formats to ensure that his work meets the highest standards.
Discussion Comments
By mavericks20 — On Jun 15, 2011

This article explains why I had so much trouble using my cell phone in Japan when I had to travel overseas last year. I even bought a supposed "world phone" to use, but it couldn't even find a network. Next time I'll look for a phone that can be used on a WCDMA network.

John Lister
John Lister
John Lister, an experienced freelance writer, excels in crafting compelling copy, web content, articles, and more. With...
Learn more
Share
https://www.easytechjunkie.com/what-is-wcdma.htm
Copy this link
EasyTechJunkie, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

EasyTechJunkie, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.