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First Responders Communications - Assessment of Technologies and Markets for First Responders Radio
PracTel Inc, Jan 2006
This report is about technologies and markets for public safety systems. Public safety system is a generic term, which combines various means of communications used by law enforcement, first responders and other similar agencies. They include paging systems, two-way mobile relay systems, short messaging systems and many others. This report is dealing with standard trunking radio, which will gradually replace numerous non-standard radios prevailing a couple years ago in the U.S. and Europe. It also shows that Ultra Wide Band (UWB) technology may be a valuable asset for first responders in-building communications, especially in harsh environments. More than this, UWB devices can combine communications with radar, given first responders ability to see even through concrete walls.
As an important part of anti-terrorism strategy, development and utilization of public safety radio attracted attention of all level of governments. Unfortunately, it took tragic events to happen to realize that the civilized world does not have effective means of communications for first responders.
Almost all developing countries have multiple security agencies, equipped with diverse radios. Besides many other problems, it was found that the biggest one is that these agencies and their staff cannot communicate effectively due to incompatible techniques used.
One of the biggest impediments to wireless communications interoperability is the incompatibility of public safety radio systems and equipment utilizing different proprietary technology. The need for standards became apparent in the 1980s as manufacturers began offering improvements to the functionality and efficiency of their analog radio systems. Better, more secure systems emerged, but each manufacturer used unique protocols to provide these enhancements.
The report emphasizes that two standards for trunked radio – P25 and TETRA- will prevail to equip first responders all around the world. UWB is an emerging technology, which, due to its nature, can make interoperability requirements much simpler and will help first responders communicate more efficiently, combining radar and
communications means in one device.
Target Audience
This report is important for the government agencies involved in the first response to critical situations. It is necessary for technical departments of such agencies to have a document, which in simple language explains radio technology and architectures of networks supporting public safety radios. They also need to have a picture of the market with the major players and their portfolios to select the right equipment.
For vendors of the first response technology, this report provides valuable information on competition. It also supports these vendors with the market assessment.
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