Motorola have promoted smaller cells for indoor useage for many years, especially to meet capacity requirements in dense office and building environments. Primarily known for RF expertise and cellsite design innovation, their portfolio has included cellsites, RNC, and GPRS core network products although they did not have MSC (voice switch) product for GSM and now no longer make GPRS core network or RNC products themselves.

Their femtocell products are focussed on 3G for the domestic market. A range of shapes and designs are likely to follow in future products, including a bookshelf model.

Launched Horizon 3G-I femtocell incorporating UMTS/HSDPA, DSL and WiFi - see their white paper. Their AXPT (Access Point) incorporates RNC, SGSN and GGSN functionality, but not MSC, and thus competes with WiFi access points for simple high speed IP connectivity. Requires a Motorola centralised group controller. Typical operation/use is as part of overall network operators radio network and thus supports any subscriber (including roamers) from owning network operator.

Announced start of trials with operators in November  2007, almost 6 months behind some other vendors.

Unveiled their 8000 and 8100 CPE 3G femtocell products in February 2008. The 8100 includes a DSL broadband modem, WiFi and VoIP connection whereas the 8000 has only an ethernet port. These appear to be based on Ubiquisys technology, rather than in-house. Both are remotely managed through Motorola's NBBS management system, which has a pedigree for remote management of domestic set top boxes. One of their advantages is their strong position in set-top boxes, being number 1 supplier of cable modems worldwide and a leader in DSL modems. This allows them to extend their product range to include femtocell functionality, so that operators can use the same management systems as their existing set-top boxes. The 8000 has an unusual shape (somewhat like a submarine), which makes it slightly more distinctive than other vendors.

Announced a global agreement to resell Airwalk CDMA femtocells  in March 2008.

In this video, product manager Sheriff Popoola walks through the capabilities and business case of their products, which serve CDMA, UMTS for cable and DSL broadband markets. Business drivers quoted include improved coverage, offloading the macrocellular network and direct interworking with your home network. The product is promoted as fitting inconspiciously into your bookshelf.

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Motorola Inc. is reported to have a significant holding in ip.access through its purchase of TTPcom, a parent company. However this does not appear to be resold through Motorola sales channels.

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