Nokia Siemens Networks has introduced a new solution that leverages WCDMA 3G and femtocell technology to enable users to receive better in-home cell phone performance.
The Nokia Siemens Networks 3G Femto Home Access solution includes the Femto Gateway. Femto Gateway, which connects to the core network over a standard interface, and allows customer equipment from multiple vendors to be connected to it. The Femto Gateway will support any Femto CPE certified by Nokia Siemens Networks to conform with the interface. Nokia Siemens Networks will co-operate with Femto CPE vendors to ensure interoperability of their equipment to the Nokia Siemens Networks interface.
Femto CPE’s use IP broadband backhaul and are easy to install at home in the same way as xDSL/WiFi modems. The Femto cell functionality can be packaged to the operator-specific home gateway devices together with other functionalities, like WiFi, Ethernet routing or storage.
Trials of the 3G Femto Home Access solution will start at the beginning of 2008, and commercial deployments are planned for the third quarter of 2008.
Interest in solutions that offer better in-home coverage for cell phones seems to be growing in light of the fact that the majority of calls made on mobile phones in 2007 are expected to be made within buildings, while just 30 percent of mobile calls originate while wireless subscribers are outside, according to research firm Deloitte.
That usage trend has led some wireless companies to put base stations closer to buildings for better indoor coverage. It has also contributed to the introduction dual-mode phones that support both cellular and Wi-Fi technologies, so the call switches over to the wireline voice link via Wi-Fi while users are indoors.
A third way to address this trend is to locate femtocells, which are effectively mini-cellular basestations, within buildings. At least one residential gateway provider, 2Wire Inc., has already embarked on a plan to add femtocell technology to its solution. It expects to test its integrated residential gateway/femtocell later this year, with plans to make the product commercially available in the first or second quarter of next year.
Nokia Siemens Networks www.nokiasiemens.com
2Wire Inc. www.2wire.com
