We are trialling 3G Femtocells, to see how effectively these small base stations could be used to deliver wireless high speed data and voice services for use in homes and offices. Femtocells are low power wireless access points that connect to the network via broadband, and can typically handle traffic from between two to five mobile phones. They could allow us to increase service coverage indoors, which would be especially helpful for locations with limited or no access to the network.
We are trialling femtocells at locations in Spain and plan to roll these out to further locations in 2008/09.
Femtocells enable capacity equivalent to a full 3G network sector at very low transmit power, and dramatically increase the battery life of the handset. This helps to reduce the overall energy impact of using a mobile phone.
They also present new privacy issues as they potentially allow the operator to know when a person is in a building. See more about Vodafone's position on privacy.
See Mobile phones, masts and health for more information on Femtocells and how we respond to public concerns about health effects.