Femtocell FAQ
Airvana receives many inquiries about Femtocells. Here are answers to some of the most frequently-asked questions.
What is a femtocell and how does it work?
What are the benefits of femtocells for users?
Where can I purchase a HubBub femtocell?
Will femtocells work with my wireless service provider?
How does a femtocell compare with using the Wi-Fi capability on my mobile phone?
How can I become a reseller of Airvana HubBub femtocells?
What is a femtocell and how does it work?
A femtocell is a small wireless access point that transmits voice and data cellular signals within a home or small office. It connects to your mobile operator's network through your broadband Internet connection.
What are the benefits of femtocells for users?
Femtocells provide better coverage inside homes and offices, which equates to a stronger signal and improved voice quality. Femtocells also improve data download and upload speeds. Further, femtocells enable new “femtozone” services that take advantage of the femtocell’s ability to detect presence, and connection to the home network.
Where can I purchase a HubBub femtocell?
Femtocells must be purchased from your mobile operator. Airvana does not sell directly to consumers. For the latest availability information on HubBub femtocells, please visit Airvana’s “Where to Buy” page.
Will femtocells work with my wireless service provider?
Airvana develops femtocells products for both leading global mobile communication standards: CDMA2000 and UMTS.
CDMA2000 is used by service providers such as Verizon Wireless (US), Sprint (US), Bell Mobility (Canada), KDDI (Japan), Reliance (India), Vivo (Brazil), Alltel (US) and several others. A complete list of CDMA operators can be found at http://www.cdg.org/
UMTS is used by service providers such AT&T (US), Vodafone (14+ countries), T-Mobile (6+ countries), Orange (5+ countries), Telecom Italia Mobile (5+ countries), Telmex (2+ countries), NTT DOCOMO (Japan), Airtel (India) and several others. A complete list of UMTS operators can be found at http://hspa.gsmworld.com/networks/default.asp
Are femtocells safe?
Femtocells emit very low levels of radio waves when being used. Femtocells must comply with the same safety limits that are applied to other wireless devices such as Wi-Fi routers, mobile phones, and baby monitors. For further information, refer to the publication "Femtocells and Health" published by the Femto Forum. Visit http://www.femtoforum.org/
Will it work in my office?
Yes, femtocells are designed to work in both homes and small offices. All that they require is high-speed broadband connection.
How does a femtocell compare with using the Wi-Fi capability on my mobile phone?
Like a femtocell, Wi-Fi can provide higher data speeds on mobile phones. Wi-Fi often requires the user to perform some type of configuration whereas femtocells automatically connect to the user’s phones when in range. Also, Wi-Fi does not generally enhance voice coverage while femtocells do. Finally, using Wi-Fi can drain mobile phone batteries faster since the Wi-Fi is an “extra” radio to be powered by the phone. Femtocells use the same 3G radio and therefore do not cause this type of drain.
Wi-Fi is becoming more popular on mobile phones, but there are still many that do not have it. Femtocells work for all mobile phones, whether or not they have Wi-Fi.
How can I become a reseller of Airvana HubBub femtocells?
Femtocells are sold as part of a mobile operator service plan, much the way mobile phones are sold. If your company resells mobile services and equipment, contact the mobile operator(s) with whom you do business. If your company provides devices or network equipment to mobile operators and you are interested in adding femtocells to your product line, please contact the Airvana sales representative for your region.
Where can I find out more?
Information on Airvana’s HubBub femtocells can be found here. For information on the femtocell industry in general, visit the web site of the Femto Forum at http://www.femtoforum.org/
Airvana also hosts the FemtoHub, a site for up-to-date news and opinions on femtocells.
