Tokyo and London, February 5, 2008
- NEC Corporation today announced the readiness of its Femtocell
solution for Operator Lab and Friendly User trials. NEC Femtocell
solution is in Operator trials in Europe and in other parts of the
world. NEC Femtocell solution will enable Operators to deliver 3G
mobile services via a standard IP broadband connection directly into
subscribers' homes or business environments.
A Femtocell is a small low-power plug-and-play consumer device
(Femtocell access point) enabling the provision of localised 3G
coverage and dedicated capacity while using the subscriber's broadband
connection as a backhaul.
U ABI Research predicts that "After a widespread launch in mid 2008,
the European Femtocell market will represent the largest global market
with 16.6 million units per annum in 2012 out of a total shipment
volume of 36 million units and a market valuation of US$4.2billion".
NEC is among the first provider to offer a complete solution which
includes the Femtocell access point for direct subscriber use, together
with the Femtocell gateway and the management and provisioning systems.
NEC is uniquely positioned to provide Operators the optimum choice of
Femtocell Solution to integrate with the 3G core network using the Iu
interface or to the IMS core network using the SIP interface. NEC
Femtocell Solution is compatible with the existing and planned 3G
mobile handsets, which is essential for driving mass-market adoption.
NEC Femtocell solution provides mobile operators with a practical and
cost-effective platform for delivering Next Generation Services direct
to the end-user such as competitive voice calling, IPTV all via a
single in-home device. In addition to providing new revenue streams,
operators who take advantage of femtocell technology will be
well-positioned to differentiate their service offering in the face of
increasing competition in the wider telecoms market.
Mr Yoichi Watanabe, Assistant Senior Vice President at NEC commented:
"The battle to retain a meaningful and profitable relationship with
subscribers is heating up, with mobile operators facing competition
from new entrants into the market. The company which can deliver
customers with the communications services they require and will pay
for is the one which will remain visible and relevant. As an
established provider of mobile infrastructure expertise, NEC recognised
that femtocell-based solutions will provide the best platforms for
operators who are planning to offer true FMC services to subscribers
and we are happy to announce that NEC Corporation has established NEC
Europe as the Global Competence Centre for Femtocell".
Mr Richard Hanscott, Vice President of Network Solutions in NEC Europe
added: "Our European team has been at the forefront of NEC's
development in this exciting new area and we are pleased to announce
that we have signed six Operator Trials to date. Results from trials
have confirmed successful integration and co-existence of Femto network
with the 3G macro network, fully meeting our performance prediction and
as a result we anticipate moving into a Friendly User Trial with an
operator in Q2 2008. We are encouraged by the recognition we are
receiving from major European & Asian Operators that NEC is now
taking the lead in helping to develop this new market opportunity".
About NEC Corporation
NEC Corporation is one of the world's leading providers of Internet,
broadband network and enterprise business solutions dedicated to
meeting the specialized needs of its diverse and global base of
customers. NEC delivers tailored solutions in the key fields of
computer, networking and electron devices, by integrating its technical
strengths in IT and Networks, and by providing advanced semiconductor
solutions through NEC Electronics Corporation. The NEC Group employs
more than 150,000 people worldwide. For
additional information, please visit the NEC home page at: www.nec.com