WAN
Wide area network.
WAN refers to a network that connects computers over long distances.

W-CDMA
Wideband code division multiple access.
A third-generation mobile standard under the IMT-2000 banner, first deployed in Japan. Known as UMTS in Europe. See also CDMA.

WDM
Wave division multiplexing.
Technology that allows multiple data streams to travel simultaneously over the same fibre optic cable by separating each stream into its own wavelength of light.

Web 2.0
A term referring to a perceived second generation of web-based communities and hosted services such as social-networking sites and wikis that facilitate collaboration and sharing between users.

WiBro
A wireless networking technology (IEE 802.16x) that will enable portable Internet access. The Republic of Korea commercially launched its WiBro services in 2006.

Wi-Fi
Wireless fidelity.
A mark of interoperability among devices adhering to the 802.11b specification for wireless LANs from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). However, the term Wi-Fi is sometimes mistakenly used as a generic term for wireless LAN.

Wiki
A web application designed to allow multiple authors to add, remove, and edit content.

WiMAX
Fixed wireless standard IEEE 802.16 that allows for long-range wireless communication at 70 Mbit/s over 50 kilometres. It can be used as a backbone Internet connection to rural areas.

Wireless
Generic term for mobile communication services which do not use fixedline networks for direct access to the subscriber.

WLAN
Wireless local area network.
Also known as wireless LAN. A wireless network whereby a user can connect to a local area network (LAN) through a wireless (radio) connection, as an alternative to a wired local area network. The most popular standard for wireless LANs is the IEEE 802.11 series.

WLL
Wireless local loop.
Typically, a phone network that relies on wireless technologies to provide the lastkilometre connection between the telecommunication central office and the end user.

WRC
ITU-R World Radiocommunication Conference.

WSIS
The United Nations World Summit on the Information Society. The first phase of WSIS took place in Geneva (hosted by the Government of Switzerland) from 10 to 12 December 2003, and the second phase in Tunis (hosted by the Government of Tunisia), from 16 to 18 November 2005. For more information, see: www.itu.int/wsis

WTO Agreement (GATS)
Informal terminology for the Fourth Protocol to the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS). The agreement, concluded in early 1997, included commitments by more than 70 countries to open their markets for basic telecommunication services. The accompanying Reference Paper spelled out principles for regulatory treatment of basic telecommunication service providers, including “major suppliers”.