The 3GPP standards body has completed an update that supports the interface for Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA) technology for 3G dual-mode handsets and femtocells.

The 3G version of the UMA specification is expected to spur development of handsets and femtocells for commercial deployment by operators later this year, according to the consortium backing the technology, UMA Today.

“Operators and vendors alike have recognized the need for standardization to drive mass-market femtocell network deployments,” says Stephane Teral, principal analyst for Infonetics Research. “The addition of interface support to the UMA standard is an important step in supporting in-home 3G service delivery.”

Patrick Tao, vice president of technology for Kineto Wireless, says vendors are moving ahead with UMA-enabled 3G dual-mode handset platforms, with recent announcements by both Qualcomm and NXP. He says NEC, Motorola, Ubiquisys and Netgear have all announced UMA-based solutions as well as trials with O2 and Telia.”