6:30 AM -- Does the sun never set on Vodafone Group plc (NYSE: VOD)'s femtocell empire? Well, no. But the operator has expanded its femto footprint with the launch of commercial services in Italy.

With this latest launch, Vodafone now offers commercial femto services in six countries: Greece, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Qatar and the UK, according to a spokesman. The operator is also trialing the mini base stations in Egypt. (See Femto Watch: Vodafone Expands Footprint and Femto Watch: Vodafone Means Business in Spain.)

So why is Vodafone such a femto fan? According to the spokesman, the benefits of femtos are these: "giving customers enhanced 3G coverage; increased customer satisfaction -- retention and attraction; and freeing up more capacity on the macro network."

That sounds good, but I'd like to see some numbers that actually show what effect femtos have had on retaining existing customers, winning new ones, or even average revenue per user (ARPU). Hopefully, Vodafone can enlighten us when it reports its third-quarter interim results management statement on Feb. 3.

So, where will Vodafone launch femtos next? New Zealand?

— Michelle Donegan, European Editor, Light Reading Mobile