picoChip, maker of semiconductors for femtocells, has raised $20 million, bringing its total venture capital raised to $110 million. The Bath, UK-based company provides the radios for femtocells which sit inside a user’s home or business and boost cellular coverage. Femotcells use the home’s or business’ wired broadband connection as backhaul to connect back to the web.
Both Om and I have outlined why the femotcell market has so far failed to thrive, even though carriers are searching for ways to improve capacity on their networks — something with which femtocells could help. Then earlier this month I wrote about new silicon from picoChip that might help femotcells break out as a business opportunity. I still wonder if Wi-Fi could provide a similar service for a lower cost to both consumers and operators, but picoChip’s investors are certainly confident in the femto opportunity. picoChip raised its over-subscribed round from existing investors Atlas Venture, Highland Capital Partners, Intel Capital, Pond Ventures, Rothschild, Samsung and Scottish Equity Partners.
Related GigaOM Pro Research: Femtocells Won’t Last Long
{"source":"https:\/\/gigaom.com\/2010\/06\/14\/picochip-gets-a-20m-boost-for-femtocells\/wijax\/49e8740702c6da9341d50357217fb629","varname":"wijax_a7d77080a04fdeb6086424949b7160cd","title_element":"header","title_class":"widget-title","title_before":"%3Cheader%20class%3D%22widget-title%22%3E","title_after":"%3C%2Fheader%3E"}