Date: 24/06/2011

Alcatel-Lucent and Broadcom create Femtocell gateway reference design

Alcatel-Lucent and Broadcom Corporation have announced the creation of an integrated Femtocell gateway reference design, combining Femtocell access and residential gateway capabilities in a single device. This solution is developed by combining hardware and silcon expertise of Broadcom and the 9360 Small Cells product family from Alcatel-Lucent.

The integrated device allows the capabilities of small cells to be built straight into DSL, cable or fiber-fed home gateways. The integrated device fundamentally changes the residential broadband experience - extending wireless and wireline voice, video and data services to every part of a residence, even into wireless "blind spots".

The advantages of this integrated Femtocell gateway reference design as per these companies include:

1. For original design manufacturers (ODMs), it provides an off-the-shelf chipset and software solution to build unlimited series of tailor-made, innovative Femtocell-enabled home gateways - with the confidence of Broadcom and Alcatel-Lucent's extensive knowledge and market coverage.

2. Operators can thus maintain existing relationships with their CPE providers as they add Femtocell capability to their service offering.

3. For end users, the single-box approach will significantly reduce the complexity of the home network, making it easier for them to install, operate, and maintain their communications devices.

"Through this engagement with Broadcom, Alcatel-Lucent's 9360 Small Cells approach becomes available on Broadcom's integrated Femtocell gateway reference design," said Yannick Dupuch, General Manager Small Cells, Alcatel-Lucent. "As such, we can make sure that our service provider customers around the world have access to the widest choice of Femto-based small cells form factors. Along with Alcatel-Lucent's broad portfolio of standalone access points, we can now also provide operators with integrated devices."

"Broadcom is pleased to offer Alcatel-Lucent's widely deployed 9360 Small Cells product family on its broadband carrier access solutions," said Greg Fischer, Vice President & General Manager, Broadband Carrier Access, Broadcom. "Together, we are driving the next generation of integrated Femtocell home gateways. This new platform augments our portfolio of highly integrated small cell and broadband home gateway solutions, and provides another option for service providers to realize the benefits of Femtocell technology."