Kineto Wireless plans to work with picoChip on making a reference design for a UMA-enabled, low-cost, cellular access point called a femtocell. It would be designed specifically for mobile operators to install for in-building 3G network coverage. Kineto announced similar plans with Ubiquisys in the UK in September.

UMA (Unlicensed Mobile Access) is a fixed-mobile convergence technology (often called dual-mode) that lets users switch from unlicensed Wi-Fi to licensed cellular/3G connections and back again on voice and data calls.

With UMA, cellular/Wi-Fi handsets can integrate seamlessly and with minimal impact into a wireless carriers existing core network infrastructure, while delivering better and more consistent service to end-users because calls can be carried over a WLAN when cellular service isn't available. The technology also promises to deliver service over the type of network (cellular or Wi-Fi) that is cheapest and most available at any given moment.

So, because cellular coverage is often poor in many commercial buildings, for example, UMA is seen as a less expensive way to bring cell phone service indoors. The chief alternative solution until recently has been installing standard pico cells, which are essentially mini cellular base stations that get deployed wherever coverage is needed (e.g. a floor of a building). Pico cell installation is so pricey that customers and landlords are often unwilling to lay out the cash necessary for deployment, however.

Single-chip femtocells, which are cheaper and smaller than Pico cells, were originally designed to counter the rush towards UMA and Voice over Wi-Fi technology in the marketplace, with the advantage of allowing people to use traditional cell phones rather than specially designed Wi-Fi/cellular handsets.

The advent of UMA-enabled femtocells seems to promise the best of both worlds by making it easier for operators to provide in-building service. With them, Kineto and picoChip assert operators will have a standardized, cost effective and scalable core network interface to fully realize the coverage, capacity and cost benefits of 2G and 3G in-building cellular access points.

In a statement, picoChip VP Rupert Baines said, “UMA technology overcomes the technical challenges for network operators trying to deploy and manage millions of femtocells in the network. By collaborating with Kineto Wireless, the leader in UMA technology, the companies are able to develop an advanced reference design for femtocells to enable mass-market adoption.”

ABI Research estimates that by 2011 there will be 102 million users of Femtocell products on 32 million access points worldwide.