Femtocells, by virtue of their simultaneous small size, low cost and high performance, are a potentially industry‐changing disruptive shift in technology for radio access in cellular networks. Their small size means that the spectrum efficiency they can attain is much greater than that achievable using macrocells alone. Their low cost means they can be deployed as consumer equipment, reducing the capital load and operating expenses of the host network. And their high performance means that all this can be gained at no loss of service to the customer, and in many cases, owing to the improved link budgets, improved service.
However, for these apparent benefits to translate into real advantage for network operator and consumer alike, we must answer serious questions about the interaction between the femtocell technology and the host macrocellular radio network into which they are deployed. If femtocells can only achieve their potential by disrupting the macro network, then they will be relegated to niche deployments, of little overall relevance to next generation networks. On the other hand, if the interactions between macro and femto radio layers can be managed to the benefit of all, then their properties (in terms of lowered cost, improved spectrum efficiency and link budget and general performance) can be fully realised, and femtocells will find themselves an essential component of all future radio access network designs. For further insight read this WhitePaper.
