ip.access announces 3G femtocell developer kit

CAMBRIDGE, UK: ip.access, the leading developer of femtocell and picocell solutions, today announced the availability of a 3G Femtocell Developer Kit. The kit enables system integrators to build specialist applications using ip.access’ multi-award winning Oyster 3G femtocell technology.

Femtocells are increasingly being used by mobile network operators as a way to improve service quality for mobile phone users in homes and offices, and to offload traffic from their outdoor networks.

However, femtocells have many other applications, including test and measurement equipment used for mobile handsets; and portable small scale networks for use by emergency aid agencies and government groups. The 3G Femtocell Developer Kit provides open access to ip.access’ mature Oyster 3G femtocell technology, enabling system integrators to incorporate femtocells into these specialist applications.

ip.access customers are already using the 3G Femtocell Developer Kit. For example, the setcom group has incorporated Oyster 3G technology into its S-CAT test system, designed to accelerate the wireless device development lifecycle.

S-CAT emulates the complete wireless network to support testing of quality of connectivity, data performance and rich mobile Multi-Media, such as video or picture messaging. “ip.access provided a proven and robust femtocell solution which is ideal for setcom’s application,” said Ashley Johnston, President of setcom wireless, Germany.

Another ip.access customer using the 3G Femtocell Developer Kit is Quortus, a UK based technology company specialising in small footprint IP-based 3G core network systems. Quortus has incorporated Oyster 3G into its SoftCore product, a standalone network solution for small scale and portable UMTS deployments used by government and military groups and emergency aid agencies, as well as for operator femtocell trials and localised 3G coverage in rural villages.

According to Andy Odgers, Managing Director of Quortus, “We chose to integrate ip.access’ Oyster 3G technology because of its advanced features and proven credentials.”

The 3G Developer Kit includes two UMTS femtocells (or femtocell modules), software interface specifications, management tools, training, documentation and support. Developers benefit from Oyster 3G’s proven ruggedness and power efficiency, as well as advanced features such as the ability to run Network Listen scans of the surrounding radio environment.

ip.access CEO Stephen Mallinson commented, “We see the 3G Femtocell Developer Kit as a means of enabling innovation; expanding the scope of what can be done with femtocell technology. It’s exciting to see partners such as setcom and Quortus providing imaginative products and services based on our core technology.”

ip.access will be showcasing its market-leading femtocell and picocell solutions on Stand 2D62 in Hall 2 at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona this month (Feb 15-18 2010).