TDMA (Time
Division Multiple Access) refers to a digital RF link
where multiple phones share a single carrier frequency by taking turns. Each
phone gets the channel exclusively for a certain time slice, then gives it up
while all the other phones take their turn. TDMA is also used sometimes to
refer specifically to the standard covered by IS-136, which is a source of confusion
because GSM also uses a TDMA air interface, as
does IDEN, and neither of those systems are compatible with IS-136.