This US based CDMA operator launched the Airave product in September 2007, initially in Denver and Indianapolis, later in 2007 into Nashville with nationwide commercial launch on 17 August 2008.

The price of the device is $99.99 plus a $4.99 monthly fee. An optional $10 unlimited calling plans is available ($20 for multi-line). The primary benefit is likely to be seen as voice coverage in poor coverage areas. The benefit of offloading high speed data appears to be ignored, since the tariff plans do not promote this aspect and the femtocell does not support EV-DO high speed data service. Users who have to pay usage rates for broadband services may want to restrict access to other users to the cell, unless it is located in a business or retail premises where improved coverage may be seen as a benefit to the host.

The system is based on CDMA 1xRTT technology, so is 2G voice/text messaging rather than 3G high speed data (CDMA EVDO). This ensures compatability with all of Sprint's existing CDMA handsets (it won't work with Nextel), and is ideal for voice in poor coverage areas .

Airave offers:

• up to 3 simultaneous voice calls
• works with any Sprint CDMA phone, although access can be limited to a list of up to 50 phones by calling customer care
• connects to the Sprint central network via broadband IP
• notifies users that they are making/receiving a call via the femtocell by injecting a brief tone at the start of the call
• Voice calls are free on unlimited call plans which cost an extra $15/month (or $30/month for multiple phones), but visitors pay at their standard rates
• SMS, picture messaging and data services are charged at standard rates
• E911 emergency calls are supported, although the location of the caller may not be passed onto the emergency service.
• Handover to the external network is possible when leaving the femtocell, although handover into the cell is unsupported.
• Built-in GPS receiver which confirms the location of the femtocell and enforces use only in areas where Sprint has a licence (so you can't take this abroad/away with you and use broadband in other areas/countries). This does mean the unit typically needs to be near a window to receive the GPS signal - it won't work without it.
• Claimed coverage area up to 5000 square feet.

The solution is based on Samsung's Ubicell product which incorporates a GPS receiver to comply with US FCC regulations and avoid transmitting when not in a location that Sprint has a spectrum licence for (and thus interfering with other operators networks).  More information about Samsung's product can be found here.

Sprint has awarded a frame contract to Airvana to provide 3G CDMA femtocells which will support high speed data. Samsung has also announced its intention to deliver 3G CDMA products in 2010 - the press release gives details of a dual-mode 1xRTT/EV-DO device.

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