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As mobile phone technology continues to advance in order to meet demand for fast connections and cheaper calls and text messages, many companies are now experimenting with methods of improving connection and speed for their users.

We are now able to check our e-mails and view web pages via broadband technology on our mobile phones and blackberry devices.

Phones have to constantly change to meet the needs of today's consumers, with advances in technology meaning you can get services such as high-megapixel cameras with digital zoom, GPS technology and mobile internet you can fit in the palm of your hand.

And now, mobile phone companies are beginning to experiment with broadband technology, releasing services that will allow you to connect to the internet for an affordable price.

Some companies now offer flat rate plans, which include plug-and-play USB dongles, which offer the chance to connect to their internet service by just plugging it into a laptop.

Such services usually come with bandwidth limits, and it's advantageous to run a broadband speed test to check if you're getting the speed you signed up for, and double-check any hardware within your machine if there are any problems.

But telecoms companies are also experimenting with methods which would allow calls to their mobile phones to be routed through broadband connections.

'Femtocell' technology uses wireless technology in order to disperse data throughout a small area - such as residential areas and small businesses.

By using a central base unit in order to route mobile phone calls, there is the potential to reduce interference and slow download speeds.

Unlike 3G signals, where the signal can be affected by obstacles, the data would be streamed through wires and transmitted through the base unit, which would in turn connect wirelessly to devices such as mobiles and laptops.

Many 3G phones which are available have the potential to connect to a femtocell base unit, and as many phones don't yet have wi-fi chips installed it could be easier to connect phones using femtocells instead of 'piggybacking' wi-fi technology.

Femtocell technology is currently used by some US telecoms networks, however some UK telecoms companies are considering similar schemes, which could be rolled out by as early as 2009 depending on trials.

Such schemes could help to connect many more homes, and give the opportunity to receive a range of services (such as phone, broadband and TV) down one connection.

Looking for better broadband? Perform a broadband speed test and compare broadband providers to find a deal that suits you.