Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA)

• WCDMA is a totally new radio access technology which is not anymore based on GSM radio frequency but brings a completely new modulation method. It can provide a high capacity radio interface to the GSM core network, though. WCDMA will provide access at up to 2 Mbit/s in the local area and less than 1 Mbit/s wide area access with full mobility. These higher data rates require a wide radio frequency band, which is why a WCDMA with 5MHz carrier has been selected. This corresponds to the 200 kHz carrier for GSM.