FREE BRIEFING:
Portio Mobile Factbook 2011
Free Telecoms Market Research Reports
Blog
Resources
Broadband & Fixed
Handsets & Devices
Information & Communications Technology
Media & Entertainment
Mobile Content & Applications
Mobile Markets
Mobile Networks
Mobile Strategies
Networks & Infrastructure
Custom Research
Contact
About
Terms & Conditions
Privacy
Femtocells and Fixed-Mobile Convergence
Market Study
Published: August 2009
Pages: For full details, please email keithw@cmsinfo.com
Tables: For full details, please email keithw@cmsinfo.com
From: GBP 859.00 Buy Now!
Research from: Berg Insight
Sector: Handsets & Devices
Femtocells and Fixed-Mobile Convergence is a comprehensive report from Berg Insight analysing the emerging worldwide market for femtocells.
This strategic research report in the NGT Research Series from Berg Insight provides you with 90 pages of unique business intelligence, including 5-year industry forecasts and expert commentary on which to base your business decisions.
This report will allow you to:
> Understand the opportunities and challenges for fixed-mobile convergence services.
> Comprehend how femtocell technologies affect mobile networks.
> Identify key players on the global femtocell market.
> Predict future business models for femtocell services.
> Anticipate the timing of mass-market introduction of femtocell devices and services.
> Profit from valuable insights from the most successful offerings on the market.
Femtocells – the next step in fixed-mobile convergence?
Femtocells are small cellular base stations intended to extend service coverage and offload the mobile macro network in home and small office environments. Femtocells are selfinstalling, plug-and-play devices deployed by users similar to Wi-Fi access points and use IP broadband connections for backhaul. The femtocell concept can be applied to any cellular technology, but the industry is currently focusing on 3G UMTS and CDMA devices.
Fixed-mobile convergence solutions such as femtocells and Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA) leverage the fact that many locations, including homes, offices and public areas have access networks in the form of Wi-Fi, DSL and cable. UMA provides complementary access to existing GSM/GPRS/EDGE services over Wi-Fi. The UMA technology allows users to roam and handover between cellular networks and Wi-Fi networks using dual-mode GSM/Wi-Fi handsets with a UMA client. However, in contrast to UMA services, which require compatible dual-mode handsets, femtocells can be used with any device that supports the femtocell’s air interface. A number of different architectural approaches have been proposed for integration of femtocells into macro networks with the main ones being – Iub-over-IP, Iu-over-IP, IMS and UMA/GAN based architectures. The 3GPP has chosen the Iu-over-IP approach, defined as Iuh, which is part of the 3G femtocell standardisation in its release 8. The approach builds upon utilizing existing UMTS network infrastructure that simplifies integration. However, in a long-term perspective, introduction of an IMS based architecture that completely offloads the macro network will be better suited to provide additional capacity as well as function as a platform for delivery of advanced services.
The femtocell concept is still at an early stage with few commercial deployments. It will take several years before shipments of femtocells become substantial. To begin with, the industry needs to prove that femtocells can be deployed without causing adverse interference. Femtocells also need to become sufficiently standardised to ensure efficient integration and low cost per unit. Moreover, operators need to find and adjust business models that make femtocells attractive for their customers, who will ultimately buy or receive femtocells for placement at their premises.
Berg Insight forecasts femtocell shipments to reach 12 million units worldwide in 2014, up from 0.2 million in 2009. The European, North American and advanced markets in Asia Pacific will account for the vast majority of femtocell shipments in the foreseeable future. In many other countries worldwide, the penetration of fixed broadband connections is much lower and 3G services less developed. By 2014, there will be almost six femtocells per macro base station and the number of femtocell users is estimated to surpass 70 million.
This report answers the following questions:
> What is the current status of the femtocell market?
> How will femtocell and fixed-mobile convergence services evolve in the future?
> What are the femtocell strategies of the leading mobile operators?
> Which companies are active in this market?
> How will femtocell technologies evolve in the future?
> Which operators have introduced femtocell services?
> How will North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific compare in terms of femtocell deployments?
Who should buy this report?
Femtocells and Fixed-Mobile Convergence is the foremost source of information about this market. Whether you are a telecom vendor, mobile operator, investor, consultant or
government agency, you will gain valuable insights from our in-depth research.
About the Authors
André Malm is a Senior Analyst with a Masters degree from Chalmers University of Technology. He joined Berg Insight in 2006 and his areas of expertise include location based services, personal navigation services and mobile VAS.
arcus Persson is a Telecom Analyst with a Masters degree in Electrical Engineering from Chalmers University of Technology. He joined Berg Insight in 2008 and his areas of expertise include Mobile Value Added Services and the market for mobile broadband in particular.
Berg Insight offers premier business intelligence to the telecom industry. We produce concise reports providing key facts and strategic insights about pivotal developments in our focus areas. From time to time we also perform custom research assignments. Our vision is to be the most valuable source of intelligence for our customers.