TD-SCDMA (Time Division Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access) is a 3G mobile telecommunications standard, being pursued in the People's Republic of China by the Chinese Academy of Telecommunications Technology (CATT), Datung and Siemens, in an attempt to develop home-grown technology and not be "dependent on Western technology" [1]. It is based on spread spectrum CDMA technology. The launch of an operational system is projected by 2005.