Femtocells - Investigation of a work in progress

Femtocells are very attractive to mobile network operators as they provide a high-quality signal in the home and facilitate significant cost savings which can be used to support aggressive tariffs and the provision of new bundled service offerings. Femtocells also clearly represent a cost-effective means of improving and expanding (primarily 3G) network coverage and capacity, with RAN and backhaul costs effectively paid for by the consumer as mobile traffic is backhauled over the user' s DSL or cable. At the same time, femtocells are expected to reduce churn due to the improved coverage and performance enabled by the technology, locking in users and entire families. From the consumer perspective, femtocells will result principally in improved residential cellular coverage, lower in-home call and mobile data charges and the ability to use one phone both in and out of the home.

The report provides an overview of the latest trends in the emerging femtocell market and examines how mass market deployment levels will be reached and what hurdles must first be overcome. Leading industry experts provide their opinions on areas such as roll out strategies, femtocell standards and network connection methods, unit and tariff costs and the scope for reduced operator costs and increased revenues.

• What is the business case for femtocells?
• What timelines are applicable to femtocell rollouts? When will trials be held and commercial deployments made?
• Which technology/network problems have still to be overcome before mass femtocell roll outs are possible?
• What is the medium-term outlook for global UMTS femtocell growth?
• What BoM assumptions are being made?
• Which vendors are best placed in relation to femtocells and how do vendors' products compare?
• Which network connection approaches are being taken by femtocell vendors?
• How are femtocell standards being driven and what is the role of the Femto Forum?
• What form will femtocells take and how will the technology evolve?
• How will femtocells drive 3G usage rates in the wider (macro) network?
• What impact will femtocells have on 4G roll outs?

Mobile telecom operators

Assess how industry players are shaping the market and what issues are involved. Understand the various technology approaches and which vendors are best placed to drive successful femtocell adoption. Assess competitors' positioning.

Fixed telecom operators

Understand how mobile operators, vendors and industry bodies are shaping the emerging femtocell market. Assess the potential threat to revenues from mass deployments and how, when and why femtocells will be rolled out.

Equipment manufacturers

Find out which vendors are furthest forward in terms of femtocell development and how their products and roadmaps compare. Understand the timing, technology and cost assumptions shaping the industry and what needs to be done to compete effectively in this market.

Telecom regulators & administrations

Assess the impact of mass femtocell deployments in respect of the regulatory environment. Identify how industry players view the development of the industry and understand the significance of changes to network architectures. Evaluate and compare the positioning of the major operators and vendors interested in femtocells and the assumptions being made.

Investors and analysts

Understand the specifics of the femtocell market and how it is set to disrupt the wider wireless infrastructure industry. Identify which vendors represent the most attractive investment targets and how major public companies will be affected by the rise of femtocells. Keep track of developments in this area and understand timing issues.