Engineers at two UK-based firms have designed gadgets that are the size of USB-thumb drives and can act as your mobile network tower.
PicoChip and Ubiquisys have developed pocket-sized devices that connect to mobile towers using the frequencies that a conventional tower uses to connect to your cellphone. These new devices are based on “femtocells” - a device which is the size of a fixed line broadband modem which is supplied by telecom companies in areas with poor reception. It uses a separate power supply outlet and aids in getting better network in your home.
FEMTO CELLS - is the world's smallest 3G base station," says Andy Gothard of PicoChip while speaking with Technology Review. PicoChip also provides chips to femtocells supplied by AT&T – a network famed for poor reception in the United States. PicoChip reduced the size of femtocell from its modem size to that of a USB by re-designing the main chip and reducing its power consumption to 4.5 volts – which is what a USB connection can supply.
It would find mainstream adoption in the coming years, are a good way to avoid roaming costs. Network providers too would be happy since subscribers would be using their network where in normal circumstances they would have avoided. However, wireless regulations are very complex and differ in different countries. India too has been very strict about it since it was reported that terrorist modules might use it to pass information, remain connected and even sabotage communication lines. To understand and follow regulations in different countries would require extra efforts on part of the carrier and also the user.
PicoChip and Ubiquisys have developed pocket-sized devices that connect to mobile towers using the frequencies that a conventional tower uses to connect to your cellphone. These new devices are based on “femtocells” - a device which is the size of a fixed line broadband modem which is supplied by telecom companies in areas with poor reception. It uses a separate power supply outlet and aids in getting better network in your home.
FEMTO CELLS - is the world's smallest 3G base station," says Andy Gothard of PicoChip while speaking with Technology Review. PicoChip also provides chips to femtocells supplied by AT&T – a network famed for poor reception in the United States. PicoChip reduced the size of femtocell from its modem size to that of a USB by re-designing the main chip and reducing its power consumption to 4.5 volts – which is what a USB connection can supply.
It would find mainstream adoption in the coming years, are a good way to avoid roaming costs. Network providers too would be happy since subscribers would be using their network where in normal circumstances they would have avoided. However, wireless regulations are very complex and differ in different countries. India too has been very strict about it since it was reported that terrorist modules might use it to pass information, remain connected and even sabotage communication lines. To understand and follow regulations in different countries would require extra efforts on part of the carrier and also the user.
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