Global vendor of radio infrastructure and handsets for several different types of mobile network including GSM/UMTS, CMDA and iDEN. Their GSM/UMTS business is headquartered in Swindon, UK, although manufacturing and other operations have transferred to China.The business has been split into two - with mobile handsets (Motorola Mobility) being a separate listed company. The cellular infrastructure business was sold to Nokia-Siemens Networks in July 2010, subject to regulatory approval, with the deal expected to close during early 2011.

They have repackaged the Airvana CDMA femtocell for resale, and are investing in LTE femtocells but have withdrawn from any GSM or 3G UMTS business.

Motorola have promoted smaller cells for indoor usage for many years, especially to meet capacity requirements in dense office and building environments. Primarily known for RF expertise and cellsite design innovation, their portfolio has included cellsites, RNC, and GPRS core network products although they did not have MSC (voice switch) product for GSM and now no longer make GPRS core network or RNC products themselves.

Their femtocell products have changed direction and avoid the mainstream 3G UMTS market, instead addressing CDMA, LTE and WiMAX, often using components (femtocell modules) from 3rd parties. A range of innovative shapes and designs have been demonstrated.

Launched Horizon 3G-I femtocell incorporating UMTS/HSDPA, DSL and WiFi and announced start of trials with operators in November  2007, almost 6 months behind some other vendors.

In this video, product manager Sheriff Popoola walks through the capabilities and business case of their products, which serve CDMA, UMTS for cable and DSL broadband markets. Business drivers quoted include improved coverage, offloading the macrocellular network and direct interworking with your home network. The product is promoted as fitting inconspiciously into your bookshelf.

Demonstrated their 9100 CDMA femtocell inside a digital picture frame at CES exhibition in January 2009. The femtocell module itself being provided by Airwalk. The unit also includes a VoIP software phone application and a touch sceen which can be used independently of any mobile phone. By providing an attractive and useful format, the intention is that the unit will be located to provide excellent radio signal throughout the home. There is a concern that the unit will need to be wired to the household broadband modem, which may or may not be in the same room. The product won an innovation award at the show .... in the furniture category!

The picture below is of the Motorola 9100 CDMA femtocelll incorporated inside a digital picture frame:

Announced in May 2009 and reported by Unstrung that they have frozen development of their 3G UMTS femtocell, instead concentrating on WiMAX, LTE and CDMA variants.

Motorola Inc. is reported to have a significant holding in ip.access through its purchase of TTPcom, a parent company. However this does not appear to be resold through Motorola sales channels.

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