Emin Gurdenli has for some time expressed concerns at the enormous operational costs of providing high speed data services on their 3G network. He has spoken at several conferences explaining his focus on backhaul transmission costs, exploring DSL and broadband ethernet options to drive costs down.

Whilst optimistic about the technology, with no unsurmountable technical problems, he suggested there was more work to do to solidify the business case - "We have to have completed the development of the concept - not just the technology - including the business models and so on".

Whilst T-Mobile USA continues to have a strong proposition using WiFi dual mode phones - Hotspot@Home - this is targetted more at poor coverage gaps, where 3G femtocells will have to provide more significant service innovation to achieve high takeup. 

T-Mobile and 3UK have recently concluded a joint agreement to share their 3G cellsites, and have already formed a new company (Mobile Broadband Limited) which will operate the joint network. The first commercial joint site is already said to be live. It is thought likely (but not confirmed) that any femtocells will be managed directly by the individual operator, since there is a much closer customer relationship involved.

In July 2008, T-Mobile Germany announced they had started a field trial in the Bonn/Cologne area.

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