New Picocell Will Deliver 3G Via Satellite

February 2, 2006

A new mobile phone base station promises to make 3G mobile technology available via satellite communications in remote areas.

TriaGnoSys, a Bavarian satellite communications company, and 3Way Networks, a UK UMTS equipment maker, have announced a new 3G picocell, or small-scale cellular base station, which can serve mobile devices within a range of 200 meters and connect them with public networks via satellite. The device, scheduled for release in April 2006, reportedly weighs only a few hundred grams.

From what I can tell, the companies have not given this picocell a product name yet. The product is designed to make UMTS high-speed data communications available in remote locations, such as ships, airplanes, rural areas, disaster areas and battlefields. The manufacturers expect their initial customers will be NGOs, military and businesses with private ships and airplanes.

3Way Networks says they will shortly begin trials with NATO forces. A company spokesman, quoted in a release, says, "The solution will allow the rapid deployment of a secure 3G infrastructure virtually anywhere in the world, providing a local communications centre which will be invaluable in remote areas, for example during conflicts or when administering aid."

AB -- 2/2/06

Related Tags: satellite, communications, areas, picocell, mobile, remote