Building and Operating a Cost-effective Trunked Dispatch Mobile Radio Service

About this title:

Trunked radio networks are becoming increasingly complex in order to meet the developing needs of police, fire, and ambulance services, other government bodies and commercial users around the world. Buying, building and operating these networks in order to get the most benefit for users is also becoming increasingly difficult.

Building and Operating a Cost-Effective Trunked Dispatch Mobile Radio Service is an indispensable guide for communications professionals involved in the area. It offers a clear and simple introduction to trunking technologies, the services these systems provide, and the customers these systems are ideally able to serve.

It covers new digital technologies, in particular TETRA, TETRAPOL, iDEN and Project 25 systems. However, mature analog trunked systems are not ignored, including MPT-1327, LTR and Smartrunk II technologies.

The handbook takes you step by step through the planning process of a TETRA network - a process which can be adapted for planning virtually any trunked network. It guides you through the process of buying a trunked radio system, and provides a sample RFQ to use as a template. Commercial issues are covered, including distribution, pricing plans and billing. An optional Tetra Trunking Model, created in Microsoft Excel, is also available to allow you to make detailed plans.

How do I use this handbook?

"Building and Operating a Cost-Effective Trunked Dispatch Mobile Radio Service' is a hands-on tool for anyone involved at a senior level in the trunked mobile radio industry. For network owners, it provides clear guidance on how to procure a network. It can be used by internal commercial and technical teams, or as a management aid when dealing with external specialist consultants.

For users, e.g. a police force or power company, it providers a clear and concise view of what you can expect in terms of applications, services, coverage and costs when switching to new technologies.

For network operators, it offers clear guidance on the main technical and commercial aspects of network operation, and can be used as the framework for internal reviews and change initiatives.

For technology vendors, it gives clear insight into how intelligent customers will be thinking, and will act as an invaluable aid to making more effective, customer-centric commercial offers.

About the author
Andrew Woodfield is a wireless engineer with extensive experience in the design, deployment and operation of trunked radio, cellular and broadband wireless technologies.

As Chief Engineer for a US based multi-national, Andrew was responsible for the design of more than fifteen nationwide and regional mobile radio networks around the world. He has also worked on digital trunked networks and cellular projects for police, government ministries, and private companies throughout Asia, Europe and Latin America. Systems designed by the author currently operate in over 30 countries around the globe.

He holds a B.E. (Hons) degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Auckland, New Zealand, received professional engineering registration from New Zealand's Institute of Professional Engineers, and is a Fellow of the Pacific Telecommunications Institute of Engineers.