Cambridge-based femtocell developer ip.access has been named the leading supplier of picocell systems in an independent study by leading technology analysts ABI Research.
Picocells are small cellular basestations used to extend mobile coverage to indoor areas where outdoor signals do not reach, such as offices, shops, aircraft cabins and ships, or to add network capacity in areas with very dense phone usage.
“The market for picocells is expected to continue growing at a steady pace, but is dependent on how leading picocell vendors like ip.access adapt and innovate next generation picocells with a view to reduce their total cost of ownership,” said Aditya Kaul, senior analyst at ABI Research.
According to ABI, the distinction between picocells and femtocells will blur in future.
Picocells will adapt to take on femtocell attributes such as self-installation by the end customer – effectively becoming ‘super-femtocells’ with longer range and higher capacity.
“The picocell market has grown at a very healthy rate,” said Dr Andy Tiller, v-p marketing at ip.access.
The Cambridge-based company’s nanoGSM picocell technology makes use of IP backhaul to simplify deployment and reduce operating costs.
“We are in full agreement with ABI’s market prediction and can definitely see a point where it will be possible to deploy a picocell (or ‘super-femtocell’) cost-effectively, even in small businesses,” said Tiller.
The system is being supplied to more than 35 operators around the world.
See the report entitled ‘Picocells - Market, Technology and Business Issues; Threats from Super Femtocells; and Opportunities in 3G Markets’.