3G (third generation) refers to third-generation mobile communication technologies — a set of services that combine high-speed mobile Internet access with radio communication technology that provides the data transmission channel.
Currently, 3G includes several wireless communication standards from the IMT-2000 family: (UMTS/WCDMA, CDMA2000/IMT-MC, TD-CDMA/TD-SCDMA — China’s proprietary standard, DECT, and UWC-136). The most widely adopted are CDMA2000 and UMTS. Both technologies are based on code division multiple access (CDMA). This method allows the expansion of narrow signal bandwidths used in conventional cellular networks. Such expansion is intended to provide wireless broadband Internet access.
It should also be noted that new technologies and enhancements are emerging. For example, a mobile device can operate in 3G using TD-SCDMA, CDMA2000, or FOMA standards. Of these, only the latter uses the W-CDMA technology adopted in the Russian Federation, although it was originally designed for Japan.