Landlines may soon be history

A British company claims that it has developed a device that can bring an end to the traditional landline telephones, and make mobile technology more efficient. Technologists at Bath-based PicoChip have named this technology femtocell, which is as small as a paperback book.

London, November 23 : A British company claims that it has developed a device that can bring an end to the traditional landline telephones, and make mobile technology more efficient. Technologists at Bath-based PicoChip have named this technology 'femtocell', which is as small as a paperback book.

According to them, the 100-pound device detects calls in the home and re-directs them down a broadband line.

The company claims that the device can handle four calls at once.

Since the femtocell does not require the calls to travel via satellite, the problem of poor mobile reception will not occur, says the company.

The microchips powering the technology are expected to be launched in the UK by next Christmas.

Officials at PicoChip say that their technology differs from current systems that re-route calls because its users do not have to log on first.

It is believed that the firm can earn three-billion pounds on the back of their invention.

Various mobile companies, which have invested in PicoChip, are planning to involve femtocells in their broadband and phone packages.

"You won't ever need a landline again. It really represents a sea change in the way we use phones," the Sun quoted PicoChip spokesman Rupert Baines as saying.

Simon Lloyd of Telefonica O2 said: "This will be the final nail in the coffin of the traditional landline."

ANI