A femtocell is a small, low-power cellular base station designed for use in homes or small businesses to improve indoor mobile signal coverage. Here are key details about femtocells:
Functionality
- Connectivity: Femtocells connect to a mobile operator’s network via the Internet, typically through a wired broadband connection like DSL or cable.
- Coverage: They provide a localized area of coverage, usually sufficient for a large room or a few rooms, with a range of approximately 5,000 square feet.
- Capacity: Residential femtocells can support four to eight active mobile phones simultaneously, while enterprise versions can handle eight to sixteen devices.
Where to Buy or See Available Units
There are a wide selection of Femtocell towers and devices available on Amazon. Click here to view the devices with 4 stars or above and a minimum of 100 verified reviews.
Benefits
- Improved Indoor Coverage: Femtocells enhance signal strength in areas where the main network signal is weak, such as inside buildings with thick walls or in remote locations.
- Reduced Network Load: By routing calls and data through the Internet, femtocells reduce the load on the macro cellular network, which can help alleviate congestion in densely populated areas.
- Enhanced Battery Life: Mobile phones use less power to communicate with a nearby femtocell, which can extend battery life.
- Voice Quality: Users may experience better voice quality, including HD voice, depending on network support and other factors.
Usage
- Plug and Play: Femtocells are typically easy to install and require no technical expertise. Users can set them up by connecting them to their broadband line and registering their mobile phones with the femtocell.
- Seamless Handover: Mobile phones automatically switch between the femtocell and the macro network based on signal strength, ensuring seamless connectivity.
- Security: Users can control which mobile numbers are allowed to connect to their femtocell, enhancing security and preventing unauthorized access.
Applications
- Residential and Enterprise Use: Femtocells are used both in residential settings to improve home coverage and in small businesses to ensure reliable indoor connectivity.
- Fixed-Mobile Convergence: They offer an alternative to fixed-mobile convergence solutions without requiring dual-mode handsets, working with existing mobile devices instead.
Overall, femtocells are a practical solution for improving indoor mobile signal strength and ensuring reliable connectivity in areas with poor cellular reception.
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