The world is running out of IPv4 address space to allocate. Whilst some could be reallocated from the original large blocks issued in the early days, this could cause problems in the size of routing tables in the core internet routers. Will this lead to an opportunity to replace domestic customer equipment with IPv6 capable products that could include femtocell technology too?

We spoke with Dr. Ebrahim Bushehri, CEO and co-founder of Lime Microsystems. Their new single chip RF front end considerably simplifies the overall femtocell chip count and can operate in 3G and 4G air interfaces and frequency bands. We asked him what is so unique about their approach, how they can enter the market and for his views of overall femtocell market takeup.

Some interesting facts and figures about the strains of data traffic load on today's mobile networks. With femtocells being positioned as an essential element of the solution, do the facts stack up?

The sun shone on the last day of Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, leaving a warm feeling on those who've worked (and played) hard throughout the week. With almost 50,000 attendees, this is very much the industry central event, covering a very diverse range of the community. Were femtocells as prominent this year as before?

It's happy families at Mobile World Congress, as more than one femtocell integrator expands their range of femtocells on offer. Is the femtocell interoperability standard taking shape?

With any new technology, innovators are always trying to dream up new ways to apply it for different purposes. One application I’ve been asked about a number of times relates to capturing the phone numbers of anyone passing within range - without the owners being aware of it. Is this possible, what are the implications and do other technologies offer an alternative?

Femtocell Interview with Prof Simon Saunders, Chairman of Femto Forum, Jan 2010

Simon took some time out to share details of what the Femto Forum is planning for the year ahead. Their recently approved 2010 priorities (published here first on ThinkFemtocell) include some new areas for femtocells. Simon explains in detail how the Forum plans to support the industry as it matures. He also reports back from the recent CES show in the USA and tells us what we can expect to see at Mobile World Congress.

I saw this excellent summary data of the US cellular industry published by CTIA (Cellular Telecommuncations Industry Association). Wireless revenues have grown from $100Bn to $150Bn since 2005, around 15% of the global figure. There are some interesting deductions to be made from it.