What does CDPD stand for in mobile networking?

The acronym CDPD stands for Cellular Digital Packet Data, which refers to a technology designed to enable data communication over cellular networks. This technology was developed to allow mobile devices to access data services by utilizing the existing cellular network infrastructure. CDPD was particularly important during a time when mobile data transmission capabilities were limited, providing a way for users to send and receive data packets efficiently over a wireless connection.

This technology operates by dividing data into packets and sending them separately, which helps optimize the use of bandwidth and supports dynamic routing, making it suitable for high mobility environments. The focus on "Cellular" indicates that it leverages cellular network structures, while "Digital Packet Data" signifies that it is designed for transmitting data in a digital packetized format rather than traditional circuit-switched voice channels.