Serious Networking Errors and How to Avoid Them

Emergency services all over the world are in danger of making costly mistakes as they struggle to bring their communications systems up to speed, argues UK-based Wireless consultancy BWCS.

For the emergency services and the government departments involved, the myriad of problems associated with the building and operating of effective communications systems is a major issue, argues BWCS CEO Graham Wilde, Based on our recent, direct experiences in this field, we have produced a blueprint for how to do this successfully, painlessly and, hopefully, how to avoid serious, and potentially very costly, errors.

The resulting new expert guide-book Building and Operating a Cost-Effective Trunked Dispatch Mobile Radio Network by leading wireless trunking expert Andrew Woodfield, is published today by BWCS.

The new generation of trunked networks, based on technologies such as TETRA and Tetrapol, are far more capable and complex than earlier systems, argues Wilde. However, at the same time, with this greater flexibility comes greater risk in terms of the way in which networks are designed and procured. These networks are more expensive than the analogue systems they replace, so they are often shared between several organisations. It is vital to understand exactly how much coverage and capacity is really needed, what kind of redundancy needs to be in place on various aspects of the network, and what the key security and operational issues will be. And that is where the new guide comes in.

As Wilde puts it, The guide seeks to provide a vital road-map for those faced with the job of stipulating, building and running trunked radio networks. It takes users through the complex stages of accurately capturing their own requirements, engaging with suppliers properly and structuring the operations of the network according to best practices.

Building and Operating a Cost-Effective Trunked Dispatch Mobile Radio Network is designed for buyers and operators of the latest networks, including TETRA, Tetrapol, Project 21 and analogue systems. It will be invaluable to ministries, police and rescue services, utilities, and private network operators. It is the most detailed handbook ever written on the subject and also comes with an optional spreadsheet model to allow users to plan and cost a TETRA network.

The author, Andrew Woodfield, has extensive experience in the design, procurement and deployment of trunked networks around the world. As Chief Engineer of a major US multinational, he was responsible for the creation of numerous PMR networks worldwide.