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ip.access participates in SoftBank femtocell proof of concept

Japanese giant shows femtocell proof of concept based on ip.access’ Oyster3G™.

July 2nd 2007 - ip.access, the UK-based leading developer of in-building wireless picocell and femtocell solutions, is pleased to announce its participation in a proof of concept for 3G femtocells by SoftBank, Japan’s leading telecommunications and media corporation.

ip.access’ Oyster3G femtocell, which won the 2007 GSM Association award for Best Radio Access Product, is included in SoftBank’s proof of concept programme, taking place in Tokyo on Monday 2nd July 2007.  The event is the first of its kind in Japan.

The proof of concept shows mobile voice, video and data calls using the Oyster 3G femtocell to provide a 3G signal directly within the home.  It also shows plug-and-play installation and configuration, which makes femtocells easy for consumers to install at home, and for operators to manage.

Femtocells work with any standard 3G handset.  They hook up with the mobile operator’s core network using an existing home broadband connection, enabling the operator to provide a higher quality for voice and data services in the home environment at a lower cost.  This in turn allows the operator to offer differentiated services combined with attractive “home zone” tariffs.

Operators all over the world have expressed huge interest in femtocells, but the announcement of SoftBank’s proof of concept tests mark the beginning of a new phase in the development of this technology.  Japanese operators and mobile customers are renowned for their exacting technical standards.  ip.access’ participation in SoftBank’s proof of concept helps to demonstrate the value of femtocells, and the Oyster3G product, to some of the world’s most demanding, and knowledgeable, consumers of mobile services.

“We are enormously excited that SoftBank is taking such a strong lead with femtocells,” said Stephen Mallinson, CEO of ip.access.  “Our whole team in Cambridge has worked very hard on the Oyster3G product, and we are very pleased to have been invited to work with SoftBank in this proof of concept programme.”

About ip.access
Based in Cambridge, UK, ip.access ltd (www.ipaccess.com) is a leading manufacturer of cost-effective picocell and femtocell infrastructure solutions for GSM, GPRS, EDGE and 3G. These solutions bring IP and cellular technologies together and solve in-building access problems for mobile operators, opening up new revenue streams while defending existing business.

Oyster 3G™ is the home access femtocell that dramatically increases 3G cell capacity and coverage; improves quality of experience; and drives down costs. Oyster 3G is ready for today’s mobile networks and tomorrow’s IMS infrastructure.

nanoGSM picocell provides GSM, GPRS and EDGE coverage and capacity for offices, shops and using satellite backhaul passenger aircraft, ships and in remote rural areas.
 
With over 18 live networks around the world and many more being deployed, ip.access is the partner of choice for operators competing in the new converged marketplace.

ip.access counts Scottish Equity Partners, Rothschild Gestion, Intel Capital, Motorola Ventures and Amadeus Capital Partners among its shareholders.