tice large and small cell configurations usually overlay to cover an area. However, still there may exist areas where coverage remains weak. Femtocell configuration may be used to provide connectivity in these areas as described in Case Study 13.1. Case Study 13.1: Femtocells Femtocells are another small area cell configuration, and are similar to picocells. The main difference is that femtocell equipment is installed at a subscriber's premises and connected to an operator core network over ordinary fixed (such as cable) lines. They are utilised where a subscriber's premises has poor reception and therefore cannot transmit or receive at a desired rate. As such, femtocell equipment are personal consumer devices which fill in a gap in an operator network reception weakness. The range of coverage is tens of metres to fill in the coverage gap at a home or in an office. Femtocells were first introduced in the mid-2000s for GSM, and later on for 3G and 4G standards. A range of manufacturers and original equipment manufacturers produce these devices and they are usually sold under operator brands. Examples are Optus' Home Zone [10] or Docomo's My Area (discontin- ued in February 2012) [11]. Manufacturers may also market small cells which connect into a building's Ethernet network. An example is Ericsson's Dot shown in Figure 13.10. ERIESSON Figure 13.10 Radio Dot by Ericsson. Reproduced by permission of Ericsson AB [12] Broadband Telecommunications Technologies and Management The femtocell main value proposition for a customer is better mobile network coverage. This translates into higher 3G/4G data transmission rates and better voice quality calls. Furthermore, subscribers can continue to be connected to the network using their mobile phone when they are inside a home/office and therefore removes the need for a home/ office phone. They are targeted particularly at businesses housed in large buildings where reception quality degrades the further one moves inside. Connection charges over a fem- tocell can be at a discoun