Cellular digital packet data (CDPD) is the first wide area wireless da
ta network with open interfaces to enter the wireless services market.
Operating in the 800-MHz cellular bands, CDPD offers native support o
f transmission control protocol/Internet protocol (TCP/IP) and connect
ionless network protocol (CLNP). This paper presents an overview of CD
PD's network architecture, its network performance issues, and wireles
s data applications that take advantage of CDPD's seamless support of
IP and CLNP data.