Alphabet Soup

A look at some of the acronyms used to describe wireless technology:

CDMA - Code Division Multiple Access

The wireless technology widely used in the U.S.

TDMA - Time Division Multiple Access

A second wireless technology used in the U.S.

GSM - Global System for Mobile Communications

Wireless technology widely used in Europe

PDC - Personal Digital Communications

Wireless technology in wide use in Japan

SMS - Short message system

Messages sent by inputting on a keyboard

GPS - Global Positioning System or Satellite

3G - Third-generation wireless

PDA - Personal Digital Assistant

(Palms and Visors, for example)

WAP - Wireless Application Protocol

WASPs - Wireless Application Service Providers