WASP (wireless application service provider) These vendors provide hosted wireless applications so that companies will not have to build their own sophisticated wireless infrastructures. Vendors include Etrieve and Wireless Knowledge.

WCDMA (wideband CDMA) A third-generation wireless technology under development that allows for high-speed, high-quality data transmission. Derived from CDMA, WCDMA digitizes and transmits wireless data over a broad range of frequencies. It requires more bandwidth than CDMA but offers faster transmission because it optimizes the use of multiple wireless signals--not just one, as with CDMA.

Wireless LAN It uses radio frequency technology to transmit network messages through the air for relatively short distances, like across an office building or college campus. A wireless LAN can serve as a replacement for or extension to a wired LAN.

Wireless spectrum A band of frequencies where wireless signals travel carrying voice and data information. Wireless carriers are bidding at Federal Communications Commission auctions on slivers of airwaves through which they will ultimately be able to send third-generation communications. The auctions, which began in December 2000 in the United States and already occurred in several European nations, will give providers access to new pieces of the spectrum that will allow them to move to third-generation services. More auctions relevant to 3G communications are on tap (see 3G).

WISP (wireless Internet service provider) A vendor that specializes in providing wireless Internet access.

WML (wireless markup language) A version of HDML, WML is based on XML and will run with its own version of JavaScript. Wireless application developers use WML to repurpose content for wireless devices.

Z! Because we promised you a list from A to Z.