
Europe UK : UbiquiSys
Ltd announced the successful demonstration of its ZoneGate home access
point system to some of Europe's major service providers.
UbiquiSys CEO Len Schuch
said: "Our ZoneGate technology introduces a considerably more
robust 3G business model. It means mobile operators can now roll out
a system that addresses the need for mass market, low-cost in-building
wireless services, while taking full advantage of their existing 3G
technology base. Putting a live system in front of mobile operators
has significantly advanced understanding of how ZoneGate can help
drive take up of 3G services in a cost effective way."
A major priority for mobile
operators is improving indoor coverage of 3G - an especially serious
problem for higher data rate applications. ZoneGate technology enables
users to access a full range of mobile services indoors using existing,
conventional handsets, greatly increasing the reach and attractiveness
of new service portfolios.
Faced with growing competition
from fixed-mobile convergence and voice over IP service providers,
the ZoneGate system offers wireless carriers a commercially attractive
alternative, while providing consumers comparable benefits but without
the need to change to one of the very limited number of dual-mode
WiFi enabled handsets.
UbiquiSys CTO Will Franks
said: "The purpose of this demonstration is to showcase the technical
potency of our approach to major European operators and the analyst
community. For this kind of system to succeed, three important problems
need to be solved. First, the system must be integrated into the operator's
core network in an efficient, scalable way. Second, in-building radio
planning demands a robust architecture to manage interference and
co-existence. Finally, all this must be done in a cost-efficient way
so carriers can afford to deploy the very high volumes required. UbiquiSys
has cracked these challenges with a fully integrated approach to design
and development."
At the heart of the UbiquiSys
system is the ZoneGate Access Point (ZAP) installed within an end-user's
home, and similar to a WiFi router in size. This is effectively an
entire 3G network in a box and uses the customer's existing broadband
connection - DSL, cable or other - to carry traffic between the mobile
phone and the cellular operator's network.