--- markdown_generated_at: "2026-10-14" title: "CDMA, pioneered by Qualcomm, is the foundation to 3G." url: "https://www.qualcomm.com/research/5g/3g" description: "Our inventions solved the complex challenges that turned CDMA into world-changing technology and a commercially viable option for 2G, and ultimately led to CDMA becoming the basis for all 3G networks and the introduction of mobile broadband..." canonicalUrl: "https://www.qualcomm.com/research/5g/3g" --- # CDMA, pioneered by Qualcomm, is the foundation to 3G. Our inventions solved the complex challenges that turned CDMA into world-changing technology and a commercially viable option for 2G, and ultimately led to CDMA becoming the basis for all 3G networks and the introduction of mobile broadband services. 3G evolved into two competing mobile broadband standards, both based on CDMA: CDMA2000/EV-DO and WCDMA/HSPA+. [Learn more about CDMA](https://www.qualcomm.com/) ![](https://s7d1.scene7.com/is/image/dmqualcommprod/3g-02-2col-onethird-cdma-pioneered-by-qualcomm?$QC_Responsive$&fmt=png-alpha) ## The Magic of Mobile Broadband ## Delivering high-speed Internet access to your smartphone. In today’s wireless world, connecting to the Internet in seconds from virtually anywhere is a given. We pioneered EV-DO technologies that optimized mobile for data—blazing the trail for HSPA and making the magic of mobile broadband possible. [Read about the introduction of mobile broadband](https://www.qualcomm.com/content/dam/qcomm-martech/dm-assets/documents/ev-do-rev-a-and-b-wireless-broadband-for-the-masses-whitepaper.pdf) ## Driving the evolution of 3G and setting the stage for 4G LTE. We led the evolution and expansion of 3G with EV-DO Rev. B and HSPA+, enabling a consistent broadband experience and ubiquitous voice services with the introduction of 4G LTE. 3G advancement also introduced many mobile broadband technologies that are essential to 4G LTE. [Learn more about EV-DO](https://www.qualcomm.com/content/dam/qcomm-martech/dm-assets/documents/rev-b-enhanced-mobile-broadband-for-all.pdf) [Learn more about HSPA+](https://www.qualcomm.com/content/dam/qcomm-martech/dm-assets/documents/web_hspa_evolution_tech_exe_08112014.pdf) ## Our inventions drove the evolution of 3G that are essential to 4G LTE leadership. ## Stay informed with our 5G and wireless technology newsletter. 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