AT&T Inks Femtocell Deal, Sets Trial for Later This Year

AT&T Mobility has signed a deal with U.K.-based ip.access Ltd., which will provide it with up to 7 million femtocells that AT&T hopes to sell to its customers. The deal is worth a reported $500 million, and could allow AT&T to sell the femotcells for as little as $100 each. Femtocells provide indoor areas, such as homes or businesses, with better cellular signal coverage. They act similar to Wi-Fi hotspots, and transmit calls or data sessions through a user's broadband internet connection, rather than via the operator's network. An AT&T spokesperson said the company will trial the technology later this year.