T-Mobile has become the latest operator linked to femtocell technology, with trials planned in Germany, the Netherlands and the UK in the second quarter of this year. CTO Emin Gurdenli told ZDNet.co.uk the technology has much potential: “If it actually does succeed and deliver on the promise, then it will be a breakthrough.” Despite making mention of a possible femtocell deployment this year, Gurdenli warned it is still early days for the technology. “We have to have completed the development of the concept – not just the technology – including the business model and so on. A proper food chain has to be established before this thing rolls out in large numbers. But I’m… optimistic.” Gurdenli also stated that “standardisation and automation” will be key to future success, and the kit must be “plug and play.”

This week Mobile Business Briefing highlighted how media reports are talking up the importance of the next twelve months for proving the business case of the home base station femtocell industry. According to Unstrung, of all the operators trialing 3G femtocells to date – including Vodafone, Orange France and Telefonica – Japan’s Softbank has set the most aggressive timeline for deployment and aims for a commercial launch of a 3G femtocell in the fourth quarter this year. Sprint Nextel has already launched a 2G femtocell from Samsung, and Verizon is tipped by Unstrung to follow the operator’s lead and deploy the same device.