ip.access bags Qualcomm funding

Femtocell and picocell solutions developer ip.access has gained another investor. Qualcomm Inc. has made a strategic investment in the company as part of Qualcomm's European investment fund. Terms of the investment were not disclosed.

Qualcomm joins existing investors—Cisco, Intel Capital, ADC, Motorola Ventures, Scottish Equity Partners, Rothschild Gestion and Amadeus Capital Partners—to provide funding support for ip.access' Oyster 3G femtocell system. The Oyster 3G uses a residential broadband connection to deliver a high-quality 3G signal in the home, and is currently being trialled by major network operators worldwide.

"As one of the world's leading wireless technology companies, Qualcomm brings expertise that complements our own unique understanding of cellular-over-IP," said Stephen Mallinson, CEO of ip.access. "Their knowledge and industry experience will help us unleash the power of the mobile phone using indoor connectivity," he said. "We aim to facilitate new and exciting mobile phone-based services that otherwise wouldn't and couldn't work indoors."

"3G femtocells will have a very important role in future mobile network architecture," said Frederic Rombaut, head of Qualcomm Ventures Europe, "ip.access has an innovative approach to the 3G femtocell market that will enable our customers to enhance the delivery of 3G services to mobile users."