The basis for any air interface design is h o w the common trans-ABSTRACT mission ' . m e d i u m is shared between users (i.e., multiple access scheme). The underlying multiple access method for all mobile radio systems is FDMA. The performance of TDMA and CDMA has been subject to vigorous debate i n recent years, w i t h o u t any definitive conclusions. This article gives an overview of worldwide research and standardization activities related t o the multiple access schemes for third-generation