Super Femtocells

The Need for a Higher Capacity Femtocell

With majority of the attention being focused on residential femtocells, it is not surprising that the non-residential market has been calling for a femtocell solution that specifically suits its needs. The very features that define a femtocell, such as self-provisioning and self-configuration, are now in demand for higher capacity femtocells that can be used in the enterprise. With the residential femtocell falling short in terms of capacity, coverage area, and in terms of enterprise feature sets, the super femtocell has emerged. The rise of the super femtocell has raised questions about the very definition of a femtocell and how it differs from a picocell.

This Research Brief examines the definitions of a super femtocell, how it differs from a home-grade femtocell, and whether it is indeed similar to the next generation picocell. Apart from the terminology, the Brief covers the need for such a device, its application areas and how it compares to the grid-based femtocell approach which is being suggested by some femtocell vendors.

Table of Contents

Executive Summary
Market Summary

Section 1.
INTRODUCTION
1.1. What Is a Super Femtocell?
1.2. Are Super Femtocells the Same as Next-Generation Picocells?
1.3. Why Do We Need Super Femtocells?
1.4. Who Is Involved in the Super Femtocell Market?

Section 2.
END-USE MARKETS
2.1. Small and Medium Enterprises
2.2. Large Corporations - Satellite Offices
2.3. Public Spaces - Malls, Airports, Train Stations
2.4. Aircrafts, Cruise Ships, Underground Tunnels

Section 3.
COMPETITIVE SOLUTIONS
3.1. Grid-Based Home-Grade Femtocells
3.2. UMA-Based Wi-Fi Routers



Tables
  • Differentiating Characteristics, Super Femtocell and Home-Grade Femtocell

Charts
  • Super Femtocell Shipments, World Market, Forecast: 2008 to 2013