Running for Coverage: A Review of Femtocells

Femtocells are short-range radios used to extend the cellular network into homes and office buildings. While there is enormous enthusiasm over their prospects, deployment is still at a very early stage. Many operators are evaluating femtocells in the lab, several are in early trials but only a handful are currently offering commercially available femtocell service to their customers. While the potential benefits have been comprehensively promoted, the technology is not yet proven, and the use cases and economics are not well-understood.