A wireless wide area network (WWAN). Also called "wireless broadband" or "broadband wireless," wireless WANs use cell towers to transmit a radio signal within a range of several miles to a moving or stationary device. Contrast with "wireless Wi-Fi LANs" (WLANs), which span only a few hundred feet to stationary or very slow-moving devices.
GSM, CDMA and WiMAX
The three major wireless WAN technologies comprise the two traditional cellular systems, GSM and CDMA, and the newer WiMAX. GSM and CDMA use HSPA and EV-DO to deliver 3G data rates. WiMAX delivers faster data service. See
wireless broadband,
wireless LAN,
cellular generations,
GSM,
CDMA,
WiMAX and
WAN.