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O2 is the first British mobile phone operator to start trials to route mobile phone calls via home broadband. These trials will take place due to increasing demand on the networks after downloading more music and video files. Using the broadband space will reduce the pressure of the mobile networks. Using broadband for mobile phone calls will also help overcome signalling problems that occur when using 3G. It will work similarly to the way a computer can connect wirelessly to the internet. It will use femtocells which are small pockets of wireless connectivity in the home created by a base station. Trials will begin in 500 homes in the UK and if they are successful boxes will be sold in 2009 for about £50. If mobile phone calls do get routed via the broadband it will work towards having just one provider for mobile, TV, broadband and fixed lines.
Staff editor, Mobile Phones Section, February 2008 |
