“What is W-CDMA?”
http://www.engadget.com/entry/5845286752906153/
This in an Engadget article talking about 3G hitting countries other than Japan.
NTT DoCoMo has been using W-CDMA technology to deliver the 3G closed-circuit network that Japan’s cellular service runs on. Debuting in 2001, they have been the first in the world to take that technological leap.
I’m no expert in communications technology, so all my opinions in this post are just off the top of my head. Feel free to correct me if you see any misinformation due to my lack of (or non-exisitent) research about the topic.