Optus to boost indoor mobile reception

Optus says a new product to boost indoor mobile reception will encourage people to ditch their fixed-line phone and save on line rental fees.

The device, called a femtocell, connects to a fixed-line broadband connection and gives Optus mobile users up to five bars (full reception) of coverage in their home.

The product, launched on Thursday, allows Optus mobile customers to get unlimited standard national calls to landlines and mobiles for a fee on top of their mobile plan.

Optus consumer managing director, Michael Smith, says the product ensures that mobile phones can be used to its fullest extent indoors.

"It is probably best explained as a mini base station in your home," Smith said on Thursday.

"This device is about saying `actually in your house, where ever you are, we can be confident that you will get up to five bars of coverage'."

When an Optus mobile customer uses their phone inside the home, the data is delivered via the device and the fixed-line broadband connection rather than the mobile network.

Plans start from $5 a month, depending on the user's mobile package.

Up to 12 mobiles can be registered on the device, which will be available in Australian capital cities and some regional centres from Sunday.

A minimum fixed broadband speed of 128kbps is required.

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