CAMBRIDGE, U.K. -- ip.access ltd, a leading developer of in-building wireless picocell solutions, today announces femto3G, a femtocell-based solution for providing optimal 3G voice and high-speed data (HSDPA) coverage within the home and small enterprise.

femto3G marks a radical step in taking the benefits of dedicated indoor coverage to the mass market and builds on ip.access’ extensive experience in delivering cellular-over-IP systems to mobile carriers around the world. The key component of the system is the femto3G Access Point, a small low-cost consumer device that integrates into the operator’s existing 3G radio access network using the customer’s broadband connection to provide high quality low cost 3G services in the home.

femto3G is the basis for a pure-play cellular approach to enabling fixed-mobile convergence to serve both small enterprise and home access markets. It enables cellular operators to localise and control competitive tariffs for mobile calls in the home, while calls outside the home hand over seamlessly to 3G macro-network coverage and tariffs. femto3G is compatible with all existing 3G handsets, which means that subscribers can enjoy the benefits of high-speed data at home without the need for new dual-mode phones.

Stuart Carlaw, Principal Analyst, ABI Research, commented, “By 2011 there are forecast to be 102 million femtocell users. Femtocells look set to be an integral part of the operator push into fixed-mobile converged services whilst also providing considerable benefits in terms of in-building wireless coverage, capacity gain and shaping user behaviour.”

Stephen Mallinson, CEO, ip.access, commented, “With the improved service quality enabled by femto3G and its low-cost architecture, ip.access is taking the lead in helping cellular operators to continue fixed-mobile substitution and accelerate 3G adoption in the residential market”

ip.access Ltd.