Contents I January 2012 Volume 19 Number 1


n the UK, our crowded PMR


bands have had little space to


offer for Tetra systems. But with the arrival of the first DMR trunking and networking products – several of which were introduced at the recent PMRExpo in Germany (page 12) – operators of larger or more complex private mobile radio networks can now freely migrate to digital systems offering a range of service features and functions to match and even surpass those they have been used to. For those operators who choose not to migrate, their attention must now shift to how long their analogue systems will continue to enjoy the supplier’s support. Richard Lambley, Editor


Land Mobile is published by: A&D Media Ltd, Jesses Farm, Snow Hill, Dinton, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP3 5HN Tel: 01722 716996 Fax: 01722 716926


Digital PMR technology on show News


A further consultation in preparation for Ofcom’s forthcoming 4G auctions; a Wi-Fi zone for London that will be Europe’s largest; capacitive coupling technology for fi le transfers; and a satnav summit to address route-fi nding howlers 4


Switching on


Machine-to-machine communication is helping a large retailer to cut downtime; cordless communication is improving customer service for a DIY store; and wireless broadband is getting building projects off to a rapid start


Digital


Two industry bodies assume new identities; and another big US PMR operator tries Tetra


End of the app


Businesses are spending big money on creating dedicated mobile apps, but are these the best tool for promoting business-to-consumer interaction? James Rosewell suspects not 19


Taking the third way


It’s like DMR but with a third timeslot: a French radio company has developed a unique digital PMR format which it believes can relieve a communications bottleneck


LAND mobile January 2012 20 10 6 The shop sells more...


John Boniface explains why mobile operators should be more willing to open their doors 22


London’s capacity crunch Gaby Junowicz considers the technical challenge facing cellular operators in this Olympic year 23


A journeyman’s guide to MIMO


Nigel Wright illuminates a once arcane fi eld of wireless study which has become the foundation of tomorrow’s telecoms technologies


Test and measurement


In this month’s feature, Manuel Mato looks at the challenges of LTE, Paul Beaver speaks up for the benefi ts of laboratory testing, and Warren Dumanski focuses on a new generation of visual tools for testing wireless networks 26


Products


An audio noise killer, a compact ISM antenna, a powerful EDA and a solar obstacle light


People Looking at... migrating to DMR


For most PMR users, the new technology is a compelling proposition, Andy Grimmett says 34


3


32 33


24 12 Products for DMR trunking were among innovations seen at PMRExpo


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Editor: Richard Lambley richard@landmobile.co.uk


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