FEMTOCELL TECHNOLOGY

Femtocells are low cellular power base stations that are ideal for residential areas and minor business settings. These low-power wireless access points operate in licensed spectrum and use residential DSL or cable broadband to connect up to 5 handsets to a wireless carrier's network. This telecommunication technology extends the coverage of wireless service providers to residential or small business environments without relying on expensive cellular towers.

Femtocell technology provides benefits to both consumers and wireless service operators. With the help of Femtocell technology, wireless service providers can improve coverage, reduce backhaul traffic and stimulate 3G usage. Consumers can benefit from reduced call charges and enhanced indoor coverage with the aid of Femtocell technology.

Major wireless service providers have already offered Femtocell stations to provide enhanced and adequate mobile residential coverage. However, discussions to determine the charges for these home base stations are still being held. Some parties argue that there should be a monthly charge for Femtocell stations while others think that a set price should be charged.

Let's take a quick tour of the Femtocel solutions offered by the major US wireless service providers.

Sprint

Sprint provides the Airave Femtocell solution which offers unlimited incoming and outgoing calls as well as nationwide long distance when paired with an AIRAVE unlimited calling plan. The Sprint Airave Femtocell costs Airrave costs $99.99 with an additional fee of $4.99 per month and is compatible with all Sprint CDMA phones. The Airave Unlimited Voice plan is offered at $10 per month for individuals or $20 per month for families.

AT&T

AT&T's offers the 3G MicroCell which offers unlimited nationwide calling and coverage for voice and data applications for up to four users at one time. Subscribers can register up to 10 different handsets with a single MicroCell. The 3G MicroCell supports all of AT&T's 3G handsets and provides protection from unauthorized use. AT&T's Femtocel solution costs at around $100/unit and requires a broadband Internet connection and a 3G MicroCell service plan.

Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless is offering a Femtocel solution called the Network Extender which provides CDMA 1xRTT coverage in a residential setting (approx. 5,000 square feet) for voice and NationalAccess data. The Verizon Wireless Network Extender is being offered at a fixed cost of $250 with no monthly charges.However, the Network Extender is not compatible with EVDO or GPS services, such as V CAST Music or Verizon Navigator.

T-Mobile

T-Mobile does not offer a Femtocell solution but provides a Wi-Fi based service called @Home. The T-Mobile@Home service offers unlimited nationwide calling over available Wi-Fi networks. Customers can get unlimited nationwide calls for $9.99/month by plugging their home phone line into the T-Mobile @Home HiPort wireless router or adapter. The T-Mobile @Home HiPort wireless router is offered at a fixed price of $50 with a 2-Year agreement.