The development of phone services in the UK is constantly changing, and technology looks set to take another step forward with the introduction of femtocells. Described by the Beeb as “A phone mast in your front room”, a femtocell is a small, low powered mobile phone base station that looks set to impact the way we use mobile and broadband technology in the home and small business environment.
The femtocell device connects to your mobile phone service provider via a Cable or DSL broadband connection and allows an extension of the service coverage. Calls on your mobile are then sent via your internet connection instead of through the network provider’s masts and base stations. Network providers are encouraging the idea as it represents an opportunity for them to compete against VoIP / IP Telephony services.
Trials are currently underway by companies Vodafone and Softel, and it is expected that base stations may be bundled with mobile phone contracts in as little as two years.
The End to mobile home signal problems
Femtocell base stations could solve many problems facing mobile phone users in remote areas where network coverage may be poor. The base station, using your internet connection, would boost the signal strength to your phone, meaning no more walks to the bottom of the garden and holding your handset up to the heavens in an attempt to obtain a signal.
High-Speed 3G Technology
With built in 3G technology, the femtocell base stations offer download speeds of up to 7mbps, matching and even beating some home broadband offerings.
Health Concerns
There are concerns that the femtocells may face stiff opposition in the same way that many oppose the erecting of permanent mobile phone base stations in local communities.
There have been long time concerns over the radiation that is emitted from mobile devices themselves, and particularly base stations, and it is highly likely that similar concerns will be raised with the arrival of femtocells.
Research has actually shown that femtocells emit very low levels of radio waves whilst they are being used and general consensus from scientists indicate that there are no health effects as a result of exposure to radio waves from femtocells as published in a report by Nokia Sienmens Networks.
