Posted: 27th Jun, 2007 By: MarkJ
Netgear has announced the development of new broadband xDSL (ADSL etc.) routers that will embed 3G mobile broadband and voice connectivity (femtocells) from Ubiquisys.
The move is hardly surprising given 3/3.5G's growing popularity and performance, not to mention that prices have been coming down too:
Femtocells promise to spread 3G connectivity into homes, allowing your 3G handset to connect to your own local cell and have calls routed over your ADSL line, when you're at home; but that's only the beginning of what they can offer.
The femtocell also connects to the home network, enabling content on the phone to be streamed to devices around the home, such as TVs and stereo systems, as well as giving the user access to all the normal 3G services at up to 7.2Mb/sec (assuming their handset supports HSDPA).
The first products will hit markets by the end of this year, although they may require some co-operation from mobile operators. Pricing and practical feasibility remain unclear, but we still look forward to see it. More @
The Register.