New Year , New Standard

Although robust ,feature-rich public-safety communications networks capture the majority of attention from the mainstream press ,there is another user level with similar mission-critical communications needs . This group, often called professional or second-tier users , may not need the most complex increasingly have needs for private, fully functional networks that offer advanced features.

Recognizing this lucrative professional and business market , the European Telecommunications Standards Institute(ETSI) has stepped up to develop a new digital standard tailored to this group’s needs .The Digital Mobile Radio (DNR) standard addresses three different tiers of users as a digital replacement for analog networks , taking advantage of advanced features , such as data calls ,fast call setup , and group and individual calls.

The protocol was finalized last year and should see commerciallly available equipment in 2007, although several manufacturers, including Icom and Motorola, have already released similar products to the U.S.profesional market .DMR is based on TDMA technolygy, similar to the more feature-rich TETRA standard , although it also includes an FDMA has enjoyed during recent years . The standard’s development is certainly a sign of the strong market for private wireless digital communications in Europe and beyond , and 2007 will be the year the technology begins to gain commercial traction with business and professional mobile radio users.

In another sign of the dynamic mobile radio market , we’ll be sharing the results of a recent reader survey we conducted to determine what types of mobile communications networks and technologies are being used in different regions of the world . The survey , which was cnducted via e-mail and had a nearly 10-percent response rate , will allow us to better address your preferences in our coverage and gives us insight into how readers worldwide are implementing mobile radio protocols.