Ericsson offers home GSM with WiFi access point

Ericsson (yes, sans Sony) unveiled what it calls the Femto Cell Solution this weekend, a wireless access point for the home that broadcasts GSM, WCDMA, and WiFi wireless standards. Yes, you read that correctly: a wireless access point with GSM, designed for the home. By routing voice calls over a broadband internet connection to a backend VoIP system, the Femto can both boost cellphone signals for use in the home, and provide an easy way of letting network operators offer services tuned to the needs of customers that have abandoned their phone lines (hopefully meaning cheaper bundles.) Once it's all setup, cellphone users should simply have to walk within range to take advantage of the better signal emanating from the "world's smallest GSM radio base station." The only downside that we can see to all this is the potential for more health scares, seeing as this combines two of the wireless standards that have drawn the most publicity in this area (no matter how illogical some of it seems.) Still, if you can bear the thought of introducing yet another radio transmitter to your humble abode, then look for the Femto through select network operators around the middle of this year. Remember, you can always rely on your old friend, Mr. Tin Foil.

[MdPhoenix @ Feb 12th 2007 10:47AM]

Oh yeah. I can see someone modifying this thing into a Cell Phone jammer. Give it time.

[Frankenstein Black @ Feb 12th 2007 11:21AM]

NOT SO FAST!! Before you go plunking down your shekels, here is DOWN SIDE #2. Not all Mobile operators are licensed to operate in all areas. Example: Lets say you work in a Metro area covered by carrier X (who you have service with) but live in the burbs which is covered by carrier Y. It is an FCC violation to operate what is essentially a cell tower in the area (at home) licensed to carrier Y with your carrier X service.

Carrier Y is the one that has the legal license (US-850/1900, EU-900/1800/2100mhz) to operate in that area and it is no different than having carrier X encroach on their territory no matter how small the “cellsite” or what backbone is used. This will never pass FCC muster, period! SOLUTION? Use Bluetooth on the receive end of this proposed “nanosite” (I claim copyright on the use of the previous term ;^) and then connect it to your home network. No FCC headaches, No Legal snafu. DONE!


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FB a.k.a LDM
Water-bending Master
http://www.eternal-champions.com/images/ldm_master_builder!.jpg

[Peter @ Feb 12th 2007 6:47PM]

Perhaps you should do a google search before you claim copyright on terms. ;-)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanosite

[tom_squick @ Feb 12th 2007 12:01PM]

Look out netzero.

[Pete @ Feb 12th 2007 12:12PM]

I'm not sure I understand this correctly -- let me know if this is incorrect:

I would have to buy a device (with my own money) that would use my own internet connection (bandwidth paid for with my own money) to extend their mobile phone network coverage... so that I can make more phone calls (with my own money).

Does the network coverage extend beyond my house -- so my neighbours would wind up inadvertently using it and my bandwidth with it? Shouldn't they be paying me for this service??

[Jamar @ Feb 12th 2007 12:22PM]

There- now the people that complain about the US not getting the same 3G frequencies as Europe (those who own Nokia's N-series and those who own Japanese phones) can use their 3G phones in the US. The "cell tower" won't be big enough to matter to the FCC (if it does, I'm not returning to the States).

[Ian @ Feb 12th 2007 9:43PM]

This should be a health benefit, as far as the cellphone radiation is concerned.
Having a basestation this close means that the cellphone will be transmitting at minimum power, and that's the part that you're pressing to your head!

[Wellcraft19 @ Feb 12th 2007 10:15PM]

Glad this is coming to reality. A few years ago Ericsson had a similar thing (mini BTS) but its airinterface was Bluetooth. Worked pretty nice as long you were within 10-20 feet, but far too short to be practical.

As for those who yell over having to pay for this and use THEIR broadband pipes, it is a way for a carrier to provide better service w/o having to shell out hundreds of thousands of $$$ to put up a BTS for a small number of subscribers (a cost that we - as subscribers - always ends up paying in any case).

Also having mini BTSs will reduce the strain on the (macro) network, thereby allowing for better service for everyone (using the mini BTS will free up channels on the macro network).

RF design is no mystery. The smaller cells covering an area, the higher capacity. Many smal lcells are VERY expensive, but I bet many of us would put a small (relatively) inexpensive BTS in our dwellings in order to get GOOD service.

[Tim in Augusta @ Feb 12th 2007 10:40PM]

I'm curious about the cost/fees for the VoiP service needed to run this thing. And if I set it up with T-mobile in my apartment, can anyone with a T-mobile phone be able to use it or is it dedicated to a particular SIM card?

[Alice R @ Feb 18th 2007 11:10AM]

I'm not an expert, but I used to figure out mobile coverage for a carrier in Aus. had to reply to their customers. One thing the mobile engineers kinda hated were GSM boosters. You mount an antenna outside your house, and it broadcasts the signal inside so it's stronger in the house. According to the engineers, they cause interference in nearby areas.

I wonder if this device would cause similar problems, as per comments by Frankenstein Black...