One Technology Doesn't Fit All

 

Although digital technologies are gaining a great deal of attention in our industry, in a recent survey of MissionCritical Communications readers, 73 percent of respondents said they use analog conventional networks.

 

Digital trunked networks are used by 38 percent of readers, followed closely by 32 percent who use digital conventional networks. Analog trunked technology is used by 30 percent of readers who took the survey. Only about 12 percent of respondents use commercial push-to-talk (PTT) services, and 9 percent use satellite networks. The data was gathered as part of a Snapshot Survey on radio systems conducted by MissionCritical Communications in March.

 

Although analog networks are still prevalent, it’s hard to deny the trend toward digital technology. There are many reasons that licensees are moving to digital technology, from cost effectiveness of new technologies on the market to cellular-like features.

 

Narrowbanding is one catalyst driving the digital transition. You’ll find more data from our survey in “Narrowbanding Drives Digital Deployments” beginning on Page 22 of our June issue. The survey found some interesting information on the progress that licensees are making with VHF and UHF narrowbanding.

 

For our continuing coverage of narrowbanding, visit “Narrowbanding FAQs”. We continue to receive technical questions from readers, which we forward to FCC officials for their answers. We run the answers online and in some print issues. 

 

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