Ubiquisys - Upwardly Mobile

"A lot of people in the mobile phone industry didn't believe it was possible to do what we have done. They were convinced we would not be able to overcome the integration, radio and installation problems, or that we would be able to do it for the right price. We have proved them wrong and convinced three of the world's leading venture capitalists to back us. Without a doubt, our location in the M4 high technology corridor has played a role in our early success and will continue to do so."  Will Franks, Founder and CTO, Ubiquisys.

Ubiquisys is poised to change the way we use our mobile phones and bring leading edge technology into our homes. The Swindon company, which is the brainchild of Will Franks and fellow entrepreneurs, Pete Keevill and Len Schuch, has developed a box that plugs into a customer's broadband connection at home, acting like a mini mobile phone network. Named ZoneGate, the system overcomes a problem that has challenged mobile phone operators for years - that of improving mobile coverage inside the home.

The problem is this. Customers want to be able to use their mobiles anywhere, including inside the home, as it is easier and more convenient. However, mobile signals cannot easily penetrate walls and the situation is likely to worsen with the growth of 3G mobiles as they operate at a higher frequency which is more readily blocked by buildings. ZoneGate uses advanced femtocell technology that integrates with existing mobile networks. While inside the house, all of the customer's mobile calls are routed via the ZoneGate box, resulting in improved coverage and significantly lower call costs. The system provides a massive increase in capacity, compared to current mobile base stations, which means it can be used to support the growth of next generation services such as IP TV and downloading music and video content to the mobile, all of which are very capacity-hungry.

ZoneGate is currently undergoing trials and will be launched early in 2008. Since its humble beginnings on the kitchen table of its founders, Ubiquisys has grown rapidly to become a globally recognised company of 60 plus people, with backing from three of the world's leading venture capitalists, Accel Partners, Atlas Venture and Advent Venture Partners. This year it was named by the global media organisation, Red Herring, as one of the 100 most promising companies driving the future of technology, joining the ranks of previous Red Herring 100 Europe award-winners like Google, eBay and Skype. It has also reached the final three in the Global Mobile Awards Innovations category.

Ubiquisys has remained in Swindon, where the idea was born and Will Franks points out there are very clear advantages to being based here:

"The M4 corridor is a focal point for mobile phone operators, mobile phone infrastructure companies and people with mobile phone expertise. We need to be able to access a wide range of different skills and the fact that there is industry here as well as research is ideal for us as we need practical experience as well as theory. In the two and a half years since the company was formed we have grown exponentially, so ease of recruitment and a pool of available skills is a major reason for us to remain in the South West. We are also ideally placed for access to the M4, the rail network and Heathrow airport."

Will also believes that the incubator unit, which was the company's home until it outgrew it, played a role in Ubiquisys' success:

"No matter how strong your idea, it is nerve-wracking to give up your day job and go it alone. Within a few months of setting up, Ubiquisys moved to SETsquared in Swindon, which provides support to technology start-ups and university spin-outs. It is a very supportive and dynamic environment, which gave us access to contacts who could help us to develop and grow. The venture capitalists were particularly impressed that we were based there and, since moving out to our own premises, we have remained in close contact and now provide mentoring for other start-up companies. When you have a zero budget, an incubator unit like this is a lifeline that can help you to become established and build your credibility with customers and investors.

"My advice to other would-be entrepreneurs is to talk to as many people as possible who have been through the experience and can give you an objective and rational view on what you are doing. It is not an easy road to go down, which is why I am keen to do my bit to support start-ups. There is a huge amount of talent in this area and it is great to help to nurture it."