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3 is repositioning aggressively as a fixed/mobile broadband provider, in a bid to steal fixed lines subscribers and take a greater percentage of its users' total connectivity and internet spend. It led the way with HSPA USB dongles to drive laptop usage, and now is following T-Mobile in adopting another neat device that could boost consumers' consumption of wireless services.

This is a 3G wireless router, which allows four people with USB dongles to share a single connection within the home. T-Mobile's launch saw it pre-empting full femtocells - indoor base stations that will also support shared wireless connections, homezone tariffs, fixed line replacement and new applications. Now 3 is going the same route, offering the D100 product from Huawei. Up to four 3 dongles can be inserted into the device, which uses Wi-Fi for backhaul. The D100 will cost about €90.

Also, O2, the most aggressive of the UK cellcos about true femtocells, has hinted it might also offer a device similar to those pushed by 3 and T-Mobile, for fixed/mobile integration, though it will mainly target small businesses. It would use the equipment to support new charging plans, including the transfer of fixed line tariffs to the mobile phone. The launch should take place in the first quarter of next year.

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