3GPP2

3GPP2, or the 3rd Generation Partnership Project 2, is an international standards organization that develops specifications for CDMA-based mobile networks and related technologies. It operates as a counterpart to 3GPP, which focuses on GSM/UMTS and LTE, with 3GPP2 concentrating on CDMA2000 and its evolution. The group brings together telecommunications operators, manufacturers, and research bodies to ensure interoperability among CDMA2000 devices and networks worldwide.

Historically, 3GPP2 was formed to coordinate CDMA-based 3G development across regions and industries. Its work produced the CDMA2000 family of standards, including the IS-95 (CDMAOne) and the IS-2000 family for 3G, notably 1xRTT for air interface efficiency and 1xEV-DO for higher-speed data. The alliance also pursued Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB) as a candidate for a 4G technology, but the UMB effort was ultimately abandoned in favor of LTE developed under 3GPP. In addition to core radio and access specifications, 3GPP2 published related conformance and interoperability documents to support network and device testing.

Current status, with the global shift toward LTE and 5G, has seen a decline in active 3GPP2 projects. Many member organizations have prioritized 3GPP’s standards work, and 3GPP2 today maintains legacy CDMA2000 specifications and coordination with other standard bodies. Its historical role remains relevant for understanding the CDMA2000 era, even as new deployments favor newer technologies.