Home DSL/mobile gateway

It is currently assumed that a high proportion of mobile voice calls are made at home, let say around 35%. What is also clearly accepted it that mobile users are generating more and more mobile data traffic while at home. A situation that mobile operators cannot ignore any longer. Several are investigating to merge a mini 3G base station inside an ADSL modem in order to get another way to reach the end-user. This “new” gateway could offer a dedicated connection to the 3G network when at home (with fixed data rate, better quality), be used for backhauling between the home and the 3G network, and allow offering new services and specific tariffs. It is clearly an alternative to fixed-mobile convergence that essentially recommend re-routing mobile traffic through fixed lines. The project, however, is not safe of big hurdles: first is the gateway cost that must be very low (comparable at an ADSL modem) meaning very low 3G mini base station (not yet reachable); second it must be self-installable by the user (as an ADSL modem); it must also avoid interference with the 3G network; finally the question raises of the control type over the broadband fixed lines (full control or alliance). If the idea is not really new, the technical feasibility is the biggest challenge. Wait and see.