Vodafone is carrying out technical trials of 3G femtocells to assess how effectively the technology is able to deliver wireless high-speed data and voice services inside homes and business locations.
Vodafone is currently carrying out technical trials in Spain with both Alcatel-Lucent and Huawei to explore the potential of femtocells, which are wireless access points supporting 3G devices and connecting to the core network via broadband DSL.
Based on the trials, Vodafone anticipates that femtocell technology may potentially enable it to offer its customers highly targeted propositions for the home and office offering enhanced indoor coverage.
Vodafone is also exploring whether the deployment of femtocells could generate greater cost efficiencies through the provision of highly targeted 3G broadband coverage using DSL technology to connect the customer to the core network.
"Vodafone has been driving industry development of femtocell technology, and the trials with Alcatel-Lucent and Huawei are an opportunity for us to assess how much benefit it can bring to our customers," said Andy MacLeod, Global Networks Director of Vodafone. "Femtocells have the potential to enhance customers' 3G broadband experience, and the trials are critical to investigate whether the technology can deliver on its promise."
Vodafone continues to offer its customers high speed 3G broadband through its current access technologies including 3G and HSPA offering speeds of up to 7.2 Mbps in selected hotspots. Vodafone is continuously assessing new ways to exploit these technologies further and also exploring the potential of next-generation technologies that could offer wireless broadband speeds in excess of 50 Mbps.