Vivendi-owned SFR is now offering femtocells in France, touting them as “SFR Home 3G” that improve indoor network coverage. The devices are made by Ubiquisys and are selling for 199 EUR. Users can connect any ADSL connection to femtocell, not just their SFR broadband connection, to make the device work.
SFR, which is the France’s 2nd largest operator after Orange, is also the second carrier in Europe to launch the service. Last summer, Vodafone started offering femtocells through its UK business.
I’m not sure about femtocells’ prospects. I do agree with a common opinion that extending the coverage is the job for the carriers and they shouldn’t charge users for an additional device…
[Via: GSMA]