FCC reject IMSA’s request to extend the certification requirement Continuing Path to Eventual 6.25 kHz Narrowbanding

Transition to 6.25 kilohertz is still in the FCC commission’s future plans. When and how the transition will happen is anyone’s guess. The most recent example is that FCC denied a request for waiver filed by the International Municipal Signal Association (IMSA). IMSA requested the certification deadline of VHF and UHF (150.80 – 162.0125, 173.20 – 173.40 and 421 – 512 MHz) LMR equipment that is not capable of operating on 6.25-kilohertz channels be extended until at least January 2020.

FCC commission announced that it would no longer certify equipment that could not operate on 6.25-kilohertz channels on Jan. 1, 2005, this deadline was later pushed back several times until it finally took effect Jan. 1, 2015. Whether or not the device has 6.25-kilohertz capability, equipment certified prior to the deadline may still be sold. But, new equipment must include the capability to operate in 6.25-kilohertz mode.

As analog technology generally does not meet the 6.25-kilohertz requirement, the commission’s certification deadline effectively required new radios to be digital. IMSA believed this to be an undue burden on public-safety users. IMSA pointed out that the commission recently eliminated the 6.25-kilohertz capability requirement for 700 MHz band public-safety equipment. If the requirement no longer made sense at 700 MHz, why continue to apply it to the bands below 512 MHz?

On June 30, the commission ultimately rejected IMSA’s arguments and issued an order denying its request for waiver. The commission stated that some comments in the proceeding claimed market competition has kept the price of 6.25-kilohertz-capable equipment comparable to that of similar equipment without 6.25-kilohertz capability.

When the transition to 6.25 kilohertz will occur? If new equipment that will need to be replaced within its expected lifetime it does not make sense to allow manufacturers to continue to certify it. Logically, if the transition is soon, it does not make sense to allow manufacturers to continue to certify new equipment that will need to be replaced within its expected lifetime.

How can an incapacitated worker can still call for help when work alone

 Many industrial and commercial communications require to capable of notifying Scenario that an employee has succumbed to a threat or environmental hazard. Man Down provides remote monitoring of workers. If somebody slips or falls, Man Down will automatically activate and transmit an alert to call for help. Man Down calls for help when your workers has succumbed to a threat or environmental hazard. An incapacitated worker who is unable to respond is therefore protected by Man Down which automatically transmits an alert for help.

How do Man Down alerts operate?

The radio activates an emergency man down alarm notification (lone worker alarm) if the radio assumes a horizontal position, degree of tilt between 30 – 90 degrees (i.e. the person carrying it falls to the floor). As to avoid false alarms for those inevitable non-emergency activities the man down – lone worker alarm transmitter will beep for a short period of time to warn the worker that an alarm is about to be activated.

 

Man Down protects every worker

A construction worker falls from a scaffolding and is knocked unconscious. A school cleaner is mopping the corridor when she slips. A security guard attacked by ruffian when on patrol. Man Down activates and an emergency alert transmits to the preset radios. He locates his worker quickly to make sure he is safe.

BelFone DMR IP67 portable radio TD511 Safely saving costs

BelFone DMR IP67 portable radio TD511 enhance efficiency and worker safety by  Mandown, Lone Worker, Blast Emergency Alarms function. The personal emergency response device comes with all of the necessary alarms and locating functions, thereby helping you to protect your employees. TD511 increase the probability that incidents get reported in a timely and efficient way.

China is becoming the pioneer of dedicated broadband for critical communications

Asia is a key market for critical communications systems. Many developing countries are investing massively in transit systems. Critical communications in the wider Asia market have developed quickly during the past decade as many countries and areas moved to digital solutions. Multiple digital technologies including TETRA, Project 25 (P25), Digital Mobile Radio (DMR) and Professional Digital Trunking (PDT) have been adopted in the Asian market.

The transport sector, one of the most active markets for critical communications, is preparing for future evolutions. Some metro companies and airports are implementing hybrid networks by using TETRA for voice and broadband for data. In many regions including Asia, rail operators are still realizing advances in cellular technology. China is becoming the pioneer of dedicated broadband for critical communications with advances in broadband trunking standardizations and dedicated network allocations.  BelFone Prochat PoC system is Push-to-Talk system that use VoIP technology over the existing cellular network to offer PTT one-to-one private calls or one-to-many group calls like two way radio. It provide half-duplex or duplex communication through a single, multifunction device.

Broadband brings significant advantages for both public-safety and cellular communications, including higher data speeds, lower latency and high spectrum efficiency. Deploying this technology on public transport enable emergency services to share interactive, allowing faster situation analysis and response times.

opportunity for POC solutions

With the rapid development pace of wireless networks and the massive proliferation of smart mobile devices, broader opportunities for PTT over cellular (PoC) solutions are emerging. Below we will discuss the opportunity for POC solutions specifically

 

1 The expense of maintaining legacy infrastructure is a critical burden

2 Delivering a PTT solution that can be installed on almost any device and will work across different commercial networks as well as WIFI is critical as many location have strong in-building WIFI solutions where cellular coverage often lags

3 The opportunity for PoC-enabled solutions and devices in the US is growing and is expected to reach almost 3 million unit shipments by 2019. Over the forecast period, the installed base of PoC end users is expected to grow from over 3 million active users in 2015 to almost 6 million users by 2019

4 A visible opportunity to use their existing LMR network and extending PTT functionality to more workers

5 Demand for broadband data applications is a significant catalyst for the adoption of smart devices among today’s workforce

6 The development of open interoperability standards and the improved quality of service and scalability offered by carrier-based PTT solutions are challenging the limitations of legacy PoC solutions.

Now, with the advent of next-generation 4G/LTE networks and the continued proliferation of smart mobile devices, the opportunity to provide PTT services across these and in-building WiFi networks is becoming a reality.  Augmenting those legacy PTT users with PoC users represents a significant opportunity.

Vendors Introduce New Products at CCW 2017 event which Draw 3,000 Mission-Critical Professionals

Critical Communications World, (CCW), scheduled 16 – 18 May in Hong Kong, is on track to attract more than 3,000 critical communications professionals with 90 percent of the registrations coming from outside Hong Kong, the organizer said. It is not just an Asian event, it is a global event.

Numerous vendors launched new products at the19h annual Critical Communications World (CCW) conference in HONGKONG 16 – 18 May. Suppliers Roll Out Products Targeting Dual-Mode TETRA, LTE Services, PoC Solution, Smart Digital Patrol System.

Mission-critical communications suppliers took advantage of Critical Communications World (CCW) in Hong Kong last week to announce new products aimed at mission-critical broadband networks around the world.

Hytera Communications announced the LTE-PMC convergence platform of products targeting the professional mobile radio (PMR) evolution to 4G and 5G technologies.

The company also announced a new vision for its command-and-control products with narrowband trunking and multimedia command and control. Hytera executives said they will provide the application programming interface (API) to its partners to ensure a rich environment for third-party developers.

Airbus Defence and Space also announced a suite of products targeting hybrid TETRA and LTE networks.

Sepura announced the SC21 radio, available in July or August, which is a lower-end product to the SC20 but with robust data capabilities. Target users include home health workers, covert users and those who needed a smaller radio.

Motorola Solutions released the Dimetra X Core, a TETRA system that allows users to get the most out of existing Dimetra TETRA networks while preparing for mobile broadband capabilities. The system features a software-defined core to reduce system operating costs and enhanced cybersecurity features and is built for long-term performance for the next 15 years or more. The Dimetra Express is a single-site TETRA system in one box that can be deployed in 15 minutes.

BelFone Release SDP smart digital radio system and PoC solution. BelFone SDP smart digital radio system features with web based dispatcher, RFID patrol check, over the air GPS setting, GPS patrol check, GPS fencing and alert, fleet locate and track, work shift check, dynamic grouping, remote kill/stun, diversity link connect, roaming notice, SMS, text to voice, level setting, level dispatching. PoC Solution is purpose-built to disperse workforce faster and easier, maximize their productivity with unmatched features including: instant group calling, high positioning GPS, priority call and call alert. Users can connect from anywhere with fast, secure, high quality voice by using GSM, WCDMA and Wi-Fi networks. It’s web-based central management tool also enables administrators wirelessly sync the basic setup to users’ devices in real time.