You need only look at our Twitter Bio to recognize the fact that we are advocates of standards-based radio communication solutions. However, in reading a recent forum post (and reflecting on some of our blog posts), we realized that the wireless industry may not share the same affinity for standards-based radio communication solutions.
As the wireless industry moves to digital, different digital technologies are being chosen by different customers. For example:
- Most public safety organizations seem to be implementing the P25 Phase 1 digital technology
- However, some public safety organizations are implementing NXDN/other digital technologies
- Some think that P25 Phase 2 is the only way to go
- Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is implementing the NXDN digital technology
- Electrical cooperative is implementing the TETRA digital technology
- Yet others are implementing the DMR digital technology
So, what happens when there is an emergency and it is critical that the local public safety organization communicates with the local MTA, the local electrical cooperative, a neighboring public safety organization, etc.??? Nothing!!! None of these radio communication solutions can communicate with the other; we have created a modern day Tower of Babel! Add encryption into this mess and even fewer organizations can communicate.
In our next post, we hope to address possible solutions to this problem.
Thanks for reading! And, if you see any typos/mistakes, please contact us at (804) 625-4233 or sales AT richmondrf DOT com.
