Ericsson Touts Femto Cell As Big Boost To Cell Coverage

Ericsson rolled out its Femto Cell Solution late last week, describing it as the world's smallest GSM radio base station for home coverage. The company says the solution, which includes a home AP that works with both GSM and WCDMA phones, will give wireless operators the technology they need to offer a so-called "home area" tariff to all people living in a single residence and to compete head-to-head against traditional fixed access providers.

Describing the Femto Cell technology as "a major technological breakthrough," an Ericsson spokesperson says the solution will make it possible for mobile operators to deliver innovative and secure wireless services that can compete against wireline services on the basis of both price and quality.The Ericsson Femto Cell, which supports Wi-Fi and ADSL, lays the groundwork for wireless operators who want to be able to offer services more directly to an entire household at a single "home area" price. Because the technology makes it possible for the operator to bundle services together in residence, operators can offer these services at a lower cost to attract all members of the same household, or even entice a small businesses to subscribe.

Ericsson says the Femto Cell home AP links directly to any IP backhaul network. The subscriber's mobile phone will automatically connect to the indoor radio base station as soon as the user enters their home. The solution will be available through wireless operators beginning in the middle of this year.