ZoneGate from Ubiquisys is an indoor 3G access point which gives consumers low cost calls using their 3G handsets and home broadband connection. The idea is that 3G performance is typically poor indoors, so this device offers a boost to the signal and also gives added VoIP features to reduce call rates. I’m not sure about bringing the equivalent of a 3G cell into my living room, but hey whatever floats your EMF. [Thanks Ed]
The ZoneGate is a domestic 3G access point, which users plug into their existing broadband connection and then connects to the operator’s network. This gives a number of benefits to the user, including full 3G coverage with the capacity of an entire cell dedicated to them and better battery life on their handset as it requires less power to connect to a base station which is so close. It also allows the operators to effectively compete on price with the VoIP/WiFi phone offerings without requiring any changes to users existing handset – so the users can use their current phonebook and user interface. The appliance also contains a SIM card, which can be assigned a geographic number which when rung calls all mobile phones currently camped on the box in the home.
On the power front, the ZoneGate actually outputs at a very significantly
lower level than WiFi. Typically a domestic WiFi access point outputs at
100milliwatts, whereas this device on average only outputs at 1milliwatt.
Also as the ZoneGate is typically closer to the phone handset than a regular base station, the phone handset also powers down to a low level giving a side benefit of significantly increased battery life.