Samsung Ubicell base station to extend in-home CDMA coverage

Intel's not the only chap on the block loosing long range connectivity options on the world at CTIA, as Samsung is apparently aiming for the consumer market with its forthcoming Ubicell base station. While details are scarce at the moment, we do know that this "micromini BTS" will provide CDMA 1x services in the home by "enlarging the coverage area to shadow areas by connecting with DSL / cable modems." Essentially, this unit will help folks who live on the fringe of service areas to ditch their landline and finally enjoy the full benefits of their cellphone service. And while we're not entirely inclined to believe it, Samsung also states that its new creation will actually provide voice quality that's superior to VoIP. Nevertheless, we're still not sure when the Ubicell is expected to land, but those yearning to cut the cord on their landline can start sharpening the scissors.

[Via BoyGeniusReport]

[Frankenstein Black @ Mar 27th 2007 7:33PM]

OH STOP IT! Another one of these again? Ok, so lets explain it again shall we? HERE IN THE USA, THESE TYPES OF BOXES VIOLATE ALL KINDS OF MOBILE OPERATOR RULES AND FCC SPECTRUM LAWS!!
Let's explain: User lives in a county west of the big city which is covered by "Small Mobile Operator X" who has the FCC spectrum license to operate in that area. User however, has service with "Big Mobile Operator Y" which covers the Big city where they work. The user would be violating the Spectrum license if they used this device at home in small Mobile Operator X's territory. It is essentially a cellsite (regardless of size) and would be the same as if big Mobile Operator Y plunking down a cellsite in small Mobile Operator X's FCC licensed territory. Small Mobile Operators (whats left of them) will scream bloody murder to the FCC...

[Gaines @ Mar 27th 2007 11:20PM]

It's completely inaccurate to compare an individual operating one of these devices with a very limited range from a company putting up a cell site.

I expect this device operates at a low power, not to exceed one watt, and its signals carry only a few hundred feet, whereas commercial tower transmitters may operate at a million watts of power and have a service radius measured in dozens of miles.

[Esoterikal @ Mar 27th 2007 7:38PM]

Frankenstein:
Thats a valid comment, HOWEVER the USA is not the only area of the world which:
A: Reads engadget
B: Operates CDMA telephone service.

Does that mean that because this is of no use to you, they shouldn't report on it?

[Frankenstein Black @ Mar 27th 2007 8:57PM]

Not saying that. Of course they should. But um, you would have a better point if we were talking about GSM. CDMA is in, what? like 2 areas, North America and South Korea, only? I would say the target market/s are then what? North America and South Korea. Ok, you go now ;^)...

[boomhauer @ Mar 27th 2007 8:04PM]

I thought these were legal to setup indoors as they are low enough power that they dont interfere and fall within legal limits.

[Esoterikal @ Mar 27th 2007 9:18PM]

Granted, GSM is a more widely available network standard, but CDMA is hardly restricted entirely to North America and South Korea. After consulting the Wikipedia (granted, not the most reliable of information sources, but stay with me here), there are 10s of millions of mobile users who are using the CDMA network technology in areas outside your listed areas. This includes countries like Brazil and Japan. When you take into account all the areas not governed by the FCC rules and regulations, there's certainly an enormous market for these types of technologies.

[fkananeh @ Mar 28th 2007 6:10PM]

Any of you guys heard about T-Mobile @home service?

[bbtech @ Mar 28th 2007 1:10AM]

Your point is very valid. These devices known as "femtocells" , will become an apparent possible home device as our current WiFi Access Point. In essence the device has some promise , and is expected to grow in the next few years. It's similar to current wifi access points , except that it becomes a mini base station for your current cell-phone provider , with a dedicated tunnel to there network , (all riding over your existing broadband connection)in return giving you now better home coverage for those that live on the fringe of the cell tower. Who does this benefit , of course your cell phone provider , and its really beneficial to them if they also provide your POTS line , which all major telcos loose thousands of customers daily to them making there cell-phone there primary. Now with all that in mind , we have seen what influence the major telco's have on the FCC (insert heavy sarcasm ...lol) I can see this clearing any possible long-term FCC hiccups. Remember the telco company hates wifi (I can see them saying that our femtocell will remain in the strictest FCC rules , even better than Wifi Access points that can be modified with amps etc.)and you wanting to use VoIP instead of there service , I can see this easily being added as a possible incentive with persee Verizon FioS ... T-Mobile has tested the water with this in there form of there UMA cellphone service.

[Frankenstein Black @ Mar 28th 2007 12:34AM]

People you're missing the point. It dosn't matter if this thing puts out 1/2 a watt, small Mobile Operators will still complain and they have a legal leg to stand on...

Oh, and by the way WCDMA is not the same as US CDMA, believe it or not its UMTS ;^)...

[Frankenstein Black @ Mar 28th 2007 12:34AM]

People you're missing the point. It dosn't matter if this thing puts out 1/2 a watt, small Mobile Operators will still complain and they have a legal leg to stand on...

Oh, and by the way WCDMA is not the same as US CDMA, believe it or not its UMTS ;^)...

[Frankenstein Black @ Mar 28th 2007 12:35AM]

Woops, pardon the x2...