Qualcomm is to utilise homeowners’ Wi-Fi routers in an attempt to boost indoor mobile data speeds.
The American semiconductor firm this week introduced the FSM90xx, a chip which can be placed inside wireless routers to help improve 4G connectivity for those who struggle to catch strong enough signals inside their homes or workplaces, androidheadlines.com reports.
The release is being seen by many as the next step on from Qualcomm’s ‘Femto cell’ technology, which was used in a similar way to boost 3G speeds inside buildings. The new product also falls under the company’s ‘small cell’ initiative, which allows wireless operators to reduce the coverage area of a cell site, increasing the availability of licenced spectrum.
Qualcomm product manager Puneet Sethi was quoted by ndtv.com as saying: “This product is designed to help wireless operators fill coverage holes.
“One of the big differences is that it delivers this functionality in a form factor and with performance characteristics that are suitable for inclusion in a residential gateway.”
This isn’t the first time Qualcomm has attempted to boost the quality of smartphone users’ LTE connections. In April this year, the company announced two new 64-bit processor chips – the Snapdragon 808 and Snapdragon 810 – both of which reduce power consumption while improving LTE stability and 3D rendering. Both are set to be released in commercial devices early next year,
