AT&T, the nation's largest wireless operator, is looking to become the third carrier after Sprint and Verizon Wireless to get into the femtocell business.

Femtocells are low-cost and small basestations that improve indoor cell phone coverage for business or the home. That is anywhere where cellular reception is poor, such as rural areas or, as is often the case, many commercial buildings.

In an e-mail to Unstrung, an AT&T spokesperson wrote: "As the nation’s leading provider of both wireless and broadband, it makes sense that we would examine the potential benefits of femtocells for our customers," before adding that the carrier is currently testing femtocell technology in the lab and has plans to roll out a trial later this year.

With its Airave service Sprint is already offering femtocells to customers, while Verizon's announced plans to offer them early next year.

Sprint says its Airave unit is like having "your own miniature cell tower that covers up to 5,000 square feet." It goes for $99.99 plus a monthly fee.