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ip.access, the multi-award winning developer of femtocell and picocell solutions, today announced that Qualcomm Incorporated has made a strategic investment in the company as part of Qualcomm’s European investment fund. Terms of the investment were not disclosed.
Qualcomm joins existing investors – Cisco, Intel Capital, ADC, Motorola Ventures, Scottish Equity Partners, Rothschild Gestion and Amadeus Capital Partners – to provide funding support for ip.access’ breakthrough Oyster 3G™ femtocell system. The Oyster 3G uses a residential broadband connection to deliver a high-quality 3G signal in the home, and is currently being trialled by major network operators worldwide.
ip.access is also behind the world’s most deployed picocell system, which is used in more than 35 mobile networks around the world to provide coverage and capacity in offices, shops and other buildings. The company also recently announced a future 3G picocell system.
“As one of the world’s leading wireless technology companies, Qualcomm brings expertise that complements our own unique understanding of cellular-over-IP,” said Stephen Mallinson, CEO of ip.access. “Their knowledge and industry experience will help us unleash the power of the mobile phone using indoor connectivity,” he said. “We aim to facilitate new and exciting mobile phone-based services that otherwise wouldn’t and couldn’t work indoors.”
“3G femtocells will have a very important role in future mobile network architecture,” said Frederic Rombaut, head of Qualcomm Ventures Europe, “ip.access has an innovative approach to the 3G femtocell market that will enable our customers to enhance the delivery of 3G services to mobile users.”
ip.access was recently selected as a Red Herring 100 Global Award winner, following numerous awards during 2007 for its Oyster 3G femtocell, including a Global Mobile award for ‘Best Radio Access Product’ and a World Communication Award for ‘Best Technology Foresight.’
About ip.access
Based in Cambridge, UK, ip.access ltd is a leading manufacturer of cost-effective picocell and femtocell infrastructure solutions for GSM, GPRS, EDGE and 3G. These solutions bring IP and cellular technologies together and solve in-building access problems for mobile operators, opening up new revenue streams while defending existing business.
ip.access is the company behind the Oyster 3G™ femtocell, winner of numerous industry awards including the Best Radio Access Product at the 2007 Global Mobile Awards. The Oyster 3G dramatically increases 3G cell capacity and coverage; improves quality of experience; and drives down costs. Oyster 3G is ready for today’s mobile networks and tomorrow’s IMS infrastructure.
The ip.access nanoGSM® is the world’s most deployed picocell solution for cellular networks. It provides GSM, GPRS and EDGE coverage and capacity for offices, shops and using satellite backhaul passenger aircraft, ships and in remote rural areas.
With more than 35 live networks around the world and many more being deployed, ip.access is the partner of choice for operators competing in the new converged marketplace.
ip.access counts Scottish Equity Partners, Rothschild Gestion, Intel Capital, Amadeus Capital Partners, ADC, Cisco, Qualcomm and Motorola Ventures among its shareholders.
Add. Contact:
Paul Nolan / Alex Sowden
Companycare Communications
T: +44 118 920 7650
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liz.hartney[.]neondrum.com 
