US : Kineto Wireless announced the availability of the latest software release for its industry-leading UMA Network Controller (UNC). This new version adds support for the 3G Iu core network interface, which enables deployment of 3G femtocells and dual-mode handsets, and has entered trials with mobile operators worldwide.

“The femtocell industry is moving rapidly towards commercial deployments, with trials starting before the end of the year,” said Vincent Poulbere, principal analyst with Ovum. “Commercially available, standards-based femtocell solutions are critical to give operators worldwide the opportunity to enter user trials today and prepare for deployments in 2008.”

Femtocells are consumer 3G access points that improve coverage and performance of mobile services in a subscriber’s home. A key challenge for mass-market femtocell deployments is a standardized, scalable, robust interface from the femtocell to the mobile core network. UMA, as the only proven 3GPP standard for the delivery of mobile services over broadband and IP networks, is quickly being recognized as the preferred approach to enable this femtocell-to-core network connectivity. UMA addresses key issues in commercial femtocell deployments including security, device authentication, access controls, handover, and regulatory compliance, as well as scalability to support millions of endpoints.

“The femtocell industry is starting to appreciate the three-year head start UMA has over proprietary approaches being proposed for device-to-core network connectivity,” said Patrick Tao, Kineto’s vice president of technology. “As the technology behind successful dual-mode handset services, such as unik from FT/Orange and T-Mobile’s Hotspot @Home, the 3GPP UMA standard has already identified and addressed the real-world deployment issues operators face in bringing femtocells to market.”

About UMA Technology

UMA technology is the 3GPP global standard for fixed-mobile convergence. UMA enables secure, scalable access to mobile voice, data and IMS services over broadband IP access networks. By deploying UMA technology, mobile operators can deliver a number of compelling fixed-mobile convergence services. The most well-known applications of UMA include dual-mode cellular/Wi-Fi handsets and 3G femtocells access points. Leading operators around the world have embraced UMA technology as the foundation for their fixed-mobile convergence strategy, including France Telecom/Orange, T-Mobile US, TeliaSonera, Telecom Italia, and Cincinnati Bell. For more information, please visit www.UMAToday.com.

About Kineto Wireless

Kineto Wireless is the key innovator and leading supplier of UMA technology, the 3GPP standard for fixed-mobile convergence. As the leading provider of UMA technology, Kineto supplies core network solutions through OEM partnerships with leading network infrastructure providers, and also provides UMA-compliant software, development tools and support services to mobile platform suppliers, mobile handset developers, and other consumer electronics vendors.