The Femto Forum, the independent industry association that supports femtocell deployment worldwide, has launched a programme to help harmonise the integration of femtocells into mobile core networks. Operator demand to launch femtocells quickly has led to the development of many different methods for integrating potentially millions of femtocells into the network core. Although this is not holding up the commercial deployment of femtocells, this programme will help unite these different approaches in the longer term and set the stage for the development of future standards.

At the Femto Forum's next plenary in March 2008, a variety of approaches to femtocell network integration will be put forward by members. Synergies between the approaches will be identified and the Femto Forum will provide a framework within which consensus can be built around similar approaches.

This will enable vendors to respond quickly to operator demands for interoperability, and will provide a platform from which members can advance the best approaches into the relevant standards bodies – the Femto Forum is not itself a standards making body.

The Forum has already agreed a reference architecture which will be used to provide a consistent basis for comparison between the different network integration options.  A set of 'hot topics' – criteria that any integration method must meet in order to satisfy operator requirements – has also been
agreed, including scalability and multi-vendor support.

"Femtocells have got off to a flying start and more deployments will take place in the near future but it is crucial that all the players in the market begin to plan together for the longer term. Operators have been vocal about their desire for a more unified approach to femtocell network integration as the scale of deployments increases. This programme represents the first time the femtocell community has come together to forge a future technology path through consensus," said Simon Saunders, Chairman of the Femto Forum. "This conjoined approach will not only encourage interoperability and increase economies of scale thereby helping keep costs low, but it will also help to support far-reaching new femtocell applications."

In other news the forum also welcomed new members who are already active in the working groups, including: Acme Packet, AudioCodes, BT, Cellcom Israel Ltd, Cisco, Ericsson, GENBAND, Huawei, KTL, mobilkom austria AG, NewStep Networks, NXP Semiconductors, Samsung, SaskTel, SOFTBANK MOBILE, Telecom Italia and Vodafone. This brings the forum's membership to 58 companies which include many of the world's largest telecoms companies as well as the smaller innovative players in the femtocell sector. 

Vodafone UK and Research In Motion (RIM) have today introduced the BlackBerry Pearl 8110 in the UK with integrated GPS (Global Positioning System) and a 2 megapixel camera. The business smartphone now includes the latest release of Vodafone Sat Nav navigation application, which now offers 3D mapping as standard.

The BlackBerry Pearl 8110 smartphone integrates GPS along with communications and multimedia capabilities.

When combined with Vodafone Sat Nav powered by Telmap, the BlackBerry Pearl 8110 can help customers avoid getting stuck in traffic jams with instant access to live traffic alerts, and includes information to millions of points-of-interest such as hotels, restaurants, shopping and attractions. Customers also get up-to-date maps and directions, as the information is quickly retrieved over the Vodafone network as needed.

"The BlackBerry Pearl 8110 smartphone is designed for people who want business grade functionality along with advanced multimedia capabilities in a small and stylish package. The addition of built-in GPS along with Vodafone Sat Nav takes the experience a step further by helping you find your way," says Charmaine Eggberry, Vice President and Managing Director, EMEA at Research In Motion.

"The BlackBerry 8110 offers all the same great features of the original Pearl 8100 but with some great software and hardware enhancements, including a 2 mega pixel camera and built-in GPS. So, alongside our latest release of Sat Nav everyday Vodafone customers have the latest business tools all in one handset, helping them make the most of their working day, wherever they are," comments Kyle Whitehill, Director of the Enterprise Business Unit, Vodafone UK.
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The BlackBerry Pearl 8110 builds upon the original model with both hardware and software enhancements. The smartphone now features a 2 megapixel camera, with 5x digital zoom, enhanced flash and the capability to capture video in two resolutions: 240×180 or 176×144 for sharing via MMS. The expansion memory slot supports microSD/SDHC cards (8GB cards currently available on the market) for storing pictures, music and video, and is conveniently accessible from a side door. Customers can also plug in their favourite headphones or speakers through the 3.5mm jack. SureType keyboard system now features word completion, easier editing of misspelled words and a built-in spell checker, while the visual interface has been improved to make viewing messages and web pages more visually appealing.

As part of its On-Device Portal (ODP) applications, SurfKitchen has announced the launch of SurfKit Phonetop, an integrated suite of on-device applications designed for operators to 'significantly improve' mobile data service delivery and consumption.  The SurfKit Phonetop suite of applications is claimed to deliver 'real' service choice for customers, 'zero click' discovery, and a range of new analysis tools for service lifecycle management. The 'next generation' of ODP means operators can meet subscriber demand for a broader, more relevant choice of content services through a 'mobile optimised' widget framework.

Data services are an increasingly important part of operator revenues, but despite higher speed networks, larger phone screens and flat-rate data tariffs driving the development of mobile Internet services, data uptake remains constrained by the overall quality of experience. SurfKit Phonetop suite claims to build on SurfKitchen's existing ODP products to enhance the overall quality of experience:

According to SurfKitchen, SurfKit Widget Framework enables operators to offer a broader, more relevant choice of data services to consumers by providing a service creation environment on the device, using XML/Javascript. Services can be deployed across a wide range of devices as widgets, vastly simplifying the creation of services across a broad range of devices.  The rich client server framework enables rapid deployment and subsequent in-life management of these widgets. With the widget framework, new service launch has evolved from a 'high risk fire-and-forget' mode, to a 'low risk launch, measure and refine' approach, enabling continuous improvement of services to meet subscribers' needs.

SurfKit Mediation delivers insightful user analytics, giving operators visibility into the way subscribers use and interact with their mobile devices. Analysis allows operators to measure, refine and improve data service offerings for their subscribers throughout the product lifecycle.

"Operators across the world recognise the revenue growth potential presented by mobile data services," said Matt Lewis, Research Director, ARCchart. "There is significant evidence that voice revenues are stagnating in mature markets, which when combined with the investments made in next generation networks, puts the emphasis squarely on technologies that can engage and excite consumers. If discovering and accessing mobile content is too complex or frustrating, most people won't persevere."

"The operator's world is changing," said Michel Quazza, chief executive officer, SurfKitchen. "The mobile Internet is here to stay, but for operators to unlock the revenue opportunities it presents, they need the tools to manage and deliver an outstanding user experience across a broad range of rich mobile data services. In our SurfKit Phonetop suite, we have incorporated the invaluable insights into mobile data services we have gained from operators across the world to deliver an integrated platform that represents the next generation of ODP applications." 

In 2007, SurfKitchen's ODP solutions supported operators including Orange Group, Telstra, Telefonica Moviles España, Maxis, ALJAWAL (Saudi Telecom) and Etisalat as they deployed rich mobile content services ranging from mobile TV and full track music downloads, to traffic alerts and news feeds to storefronts for games, video, pictures and ringtones.

Texas Instruments has introduced two new battery fuel gauge devices with integrated low-dropout regulators (LDOs) for smart phones, mobile Internet devices and media players with embedded or removable batteries. The new system-side and battery pack-side fuel gauges build on TI's popular family of integrated circuits (ICs) that predict battery life with 99-percent accuracy to extend run-time, protect data and provide a better user experience. 

The bq27510 system-side battery fuel gauge with Impedance TrackT technology incorporates a LDO and can be powered directly from the battery cell with less external circuitry, regardless of system voltage. In addition to simplifying design of the fuel gauge into the host system, it accurately measures remaining capacity data from a device's single-cell Li-Ion battery to predict remaining battery capacity under all conditions, even as a battery ages.

In addition to the system-side battery fuel gauges, TI's new bq27540 device resides directly on the embedded or removable battery pack to intelligently manage available power that resides in the battery. The bq27540 will support SDQ, HDQ and I2C communication protocols to allow the system to read important information from the battery.

Accurate battery data helps systems optimize power better Accurate fuel gauging helps systems intelligently manage available power, alert the user of system operating-time, and extend the run-time of the system as far as possible. Mobile application processors, such as TI's OMAPT 3 platform with SmartReflexT power and performance technologies, rely on accurate battery data to better optimize the mobile device's complete power operating system. As with the bq27500, the bq27510 and bq27540 provide an accurate reserve energy warning, which allows a system to save data to non-volatile memory before the system shuts down, so work is not lost when a battery runs to empty.

GSMA Mobile World Congress
TI will demonstrate its battery fuel gauge technology, power management ICs and high-performance audio products at the GSMA Mobile World Congress, in Barcelona, February 11-14, 2008.

Ericsson and Napster together with Italian operator, Telecom Italia Mobile (TIM), are to offer Napster Mobile, a music service co-developed by Ericsson and Napster.

Napster Mobile is a premium music service offering an array of features and personalized content, including ringtones, artist images, wallpaper and access to Napster Mobile's catalog of more than 5 million songs. Napster Mobile also offers dual-delivery for simultaneous downloads to a subscriber's PC and mobile phone, a unique feature that provides users the convenience of downloading songs directly to their phones with a high-fidelity copy of the song available to download on their PCs.

Under the agreement, Ericsson's responsibilities include systems integration, operation, maintenance and content management of Napster Mobile for TIM. The service is available now.

"We are proud to be the first in Italy to offer the world-class music service Napster Mobile", said Riccardo Jelmini, Mobile VAS Marketing Manager, Telecom Italia. "Ericsson's solution allows us a quick, cost-efficient and simple way to launch this service, which gives our customers easy access to first-rate, feature-rich music services and will also expand our subscriber base".

"Entering the Italian market is an exciting milestone", said Brad Duea, president of Napster. "By partnering with Ericsson we can offer a superior music experience and make our extensive catalog available to Italian consumers for the first time".

"The marriage of Napster's innovative music service and Ericsson's technological leadership and operational expertise helps operators bring attractive new services to market easily and cost-effectively", said Cesare Avenia, President, Ericsson Italy.

Napster Mobile is linked to the Sony Ericsson Walkman series mobile phones via its music recognition application. Some models also offer a soft-key on the display for convenient access to Napster Mobile.

CSR and Motorola have announced that they intend to create an open industry forum to evaluate and foster enhanced Global Positioning System (EGPS) technologies. 

When used on a mobile device, EGPS technologies augment GPS to provide timely and accurate position information in demanding environments. The EGPS Forum is expected to advocate improvement to location technologies in mobile devices and is committed to meeting consumer and regulatory needs for precise and consistent levels of location information.

Current commercialised location technologies meet the basic needs of consumers and minimum regulatory requirements for widespread use in mobile phones ­ however, high value commercial services require location technologies that provide prompt, consistent and reliable position information, even indoors, within the limited power budget of a portable device.  Emergency services also require accurate indoor positioning.  The intended goal of the EGPS Forum will be to ensure that technologies which enhance GPS are put in place to meet these advanced requirements.

The EGPS Forum will be open to a broad array of participants from the telecommunications industry including handset manufacturers, location technology companies, network infrastructure providers and mobile network carriers. Initial activities of the Forum will focus on evaluating hybrid technologies that enhance GPS by combining satellite measurements with timing measurements taken from cellular networks and on establishing the underlying infrastructure to ensure full interoperability of this technology.

CSR¹s Location Business Unit Vice President, Stuart Strickland commented, "CSR is committed to delivering embedded location technologies that meet the needs of consumers and portable device makers." Strickland continued, "By working as part of the EGPS Forum with industry leaders such as Motorola, we expect to be able to extract the full potential out of our own enhanced GPS technologies."

"Motorola has been bringing innovative location based technologies to our mobile devices for years," Kevin Cole, Vice President, Device Technology Engineering, Mobile Devices business, Motorola. "As interest in mobile location services accelerates in 2008, we look forward to working with CSR and other industry leaders to drive this technology forward."

CSR and Motorola expect the procedure for EGPS field trials and performance testing to be in place in the first half of 2008.

Anritsu, the provider of testing, monitoring and management solutions for advanced and converged networks, has announced that Bitè Lithuania, one of the biggest international telecommunications groups in the Baltic region, has accepted the delivery of a MasterClaw network and service monitoring system for Bitè's GSM/GPRS/UMTS networks in Lithuania and Latvia. The solution includes solution areas such as troubleshooting, network and service quality monitoring as well as partner monitoring of IP services, roaming and interconnect traffic.

The MasterClaw implementation includes collection and reporting of powerful Key Performance Indicators to assist Bitè to better monitor and analyze the increasing amount of data traffic in their GSM/GPRS/UMTS networks, and centralized troubleshooting applications enabling proactive identification and isolation of potential network or service problems across the various mobile 2G, 2.5G and 3G network technologies .

"Customer satisfaction and high service quality are the cornerstones in our strategy to become the best Baltic wireless operator. We have deployed Anritsu's MasterClaw system to get a systematic understanding of the service quality offered to our customers on the Bitè networks in Lithuania and Latvia. The solution also enables us to seamlessly troubleshoot detected network anomalies in our GSM/GPRS/UMTS network" said Ricardas Brazenas, Technical  Director, Bitè Group. "We initially trialled the MasterClaw solution during the first half of 2007; based on the experiences from this trial, we have through close partnership with Anritsu defined the final solution that meets our needs."

"Equipment vendor independent monitoring of the network and service performance is critical to ensure high end-to-end service quality for Bitè Lithuania's subscribers" said Emanuela Speranza, VP Sales EMEA, Anritsu. "With MasterClaw, we will also help Bitè Lithuania with traffic analysis and performance statistics on roaming traffic to other operators and third party content providers to ensure maximum return of investment for Bitè by optimizing the value chain management, while securing the service experienced by Bite's end users."

Ubiquisys, the developer of intelligent femto 3G access points, has today announced new femtocell systems for businesses based on its established residential product.  The ZoneGate E2 modular femtocell system for SMEs (Small and Medium-sized Enterprises) will be released later in 2008, whilst the SOHO (Small Office/Home Office) version is available to mobile operators now.

Many SOHO operations and SMEs suffer from poor mobile coverage and high tariffs, and until now there has been no affordable solution available using employees' existing mobile phones.

The Ubiquisys ZoneGate E2 system enables Mobile Network Operators to fill this gap for SOHOs and SMEs.  Small companies will effectively have their own private 3G network to provide indoor coverage.  Employees' regular 3G handsets and datacards will automatically switch to a low-cost tariff as they arrive in the office, and they will enjoy a dependable, maximum speed mobile internet experience.  For many small companies the convenience of a single phone combined with low-cost calls will eliminate the need for a standard fixed-line phone.

The ZoneGate E2 is a modular femtocell system – it is easy to install, either on its own or in a formation to cover any shape of office. Irrespective of the deployment formation, the femtocells dynamically adapt the coverage between them, and automatically manage handover as employees move around the office whilst on a call.  The system connects to the mobile operator's core network through the existing broadband connection.

"Femtocells have long been thought of as a consumer device that provides better quality lower cost mobile coverage in the home – this is no longer the case.  Mobile operators can now extend these innovative services to businesses as well." said Will Franks, CTO Ubiquisys. "The ZoneGate E2 modular femtocell system will provide employees in small companies with a major productivity advantage – one device, a low-cost office tariff, and maximum speed mobile internet."