Cisco invests in femtocells

Cisco has bought a shareholding in British picocell and femtocell equipment manufacturer ip.access. Femtocells are mobile base stations designed to improve internet access via a mobile phone by connecting them to to an existing residential Ethernet or DSL network.

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According to the Cisco press release, mobile network operators are keen to deploy femtocells in large numbers to simplify internet access via mobile phone in the home. Driven by similar aspirations, Cisco's competitors such as Ericsson and Nokia Siemens Networks have also been investing in femtocells.

Neither Cisco nor ip.access has revealed the terms of the investment. However, Cisco does not hold a majority share in the company: ip.access has six other major investors among its shareholders.

(ehe)