Backhaul: the industry 25 and 10 years ago (May 2018)
25 YEARS AGO. The cover of the June/July 1993 issue of What’s New in Radio Communications featured the Hewlett-Packard 11807A option 012 radio test software which, when used with the HP 8920 RF communications test set, enabled the user to quickly diagnose faulty radios. Inside the magazine, we reported on Telecom and Motorola Australia (in conjunction with Pacific Star Communications) being awarded the contract to integrate, build and manage a mobile radio network for the NSW Government. Using Motorola’s Smart Zone technology, the network was to be the largest in the Southern Hemisphere, linking 15,000 vehicles, offices and portable radios. We also reported on Optus Communications working with Scientifica-Atlanta to carry out a number of live satellite tests and demonstrations in the lead-up to the advent of satellite Pay TV the following year. At the time, it was expected that households could rent a 60 cm-diameter dish and receiver/decoder for just 50 cents per day!
10 YEARS AGO. The cover of the May/June 2008 issue of Radio Comms Asia-Pacific featured the Rohde & Schwarz range of spectrum analysers, including the then latest lightweight FSL models with WiMAX and WCDMA capabilities. Inside the magazine we reported on ARCIA opening applications for its industry-wide accreditation program, with two suppliers already having begun the process. We also published a case study on the upgrading of Airservices’ ageing Aviation Rescue and Fire Fighting radio network — Vertel was the system integrator, with Tait P25 radios and ICOM airband equipment also part of the deal. The ACMA brought us up to date with the requirements of low-interference potential devices (LIPD) compliance, and Teltronic’s Oscar Louro gave a primer on TETRA and TEDS. And we reported on Internode’s rollout of a region-wide, WiMAX service on the Yorke Peninsula, which was achieving transmission speeds of 6 Mbps at up to 30 kilometres from the tower.
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