Abstract: This application note discusses the development and deployment of 3G cellular femtocell base stations. The technicalchallenges for last-mile residential connectivity and adding system capacity in dense urban environments are discussed, with 3Gfemtocell base stations as a cost-effective solution. Maxim's 3GPP TS25.104-compliant transceiver solution is presented along withcomplete radio reference designs such as RD2550. For more information on the RD2550, see reference design 5364, "FemtocellRadio Reference Designs Using the MAX2550–MAX2553 Transceivers."