A challenge to conventional thought

We are pretty much aware of the shift in telecommunications usage, away from fixed-line telephone to a combination of IP-based and mobile access. The lines between voice and data are becoming less and less clear. Indeed, it makes no sense to discern between voice and data - both are simply payload.

On the flip side, we still have radio networks, vital to the operation and security of our society, that do not work together. Yes, work is being done to resolve that but, with all due respect, are we once again conjuring up a white elephant?

I am not saying we are, but the question needs to be asked. Let me put it this way: We have commercial networks where any user can access data from a server on the other side of the world, hold a conversation with someone across the country and upload a video clip to a website - on a mobile handset on a $49 dollar plan.

My point is that if (non-commercial) two-way radio networks were held accountable to how well they deliver the desired services, as commercial networks are, there is no doubt in my mind that we would not be where we are now.

Of course, the example above compares two-way radio with cellular. Not a fair comparison some may say, but I venture to ask: if the need arises in an emergency, who cares?

What is the primary objective here? The operation of a radio network and its administration? Or the service it is to provide?

So, is there a constructive way to maybe not only resolve the issues we face, but to improve on how we deal with these matters? Can we learn from the past?

Let’s not forget that a technology already exists that can bring interoperable access to two-way radio while retaining the current infrastructure - without precluding any work being done on interoperability and future radio formats.

This is Radio over IP.

So, why is it not being used as it could be? Why do we need large complex and costly infrastructure projects to realise what is readily available?

Don’t get me wrong, the work being done on integrating radio networks, be it here or abroad, is laudable. Yet could we be doing more, faster, now?

Could we be addressing issues in more than one manner, on a smaller scale, with immediate and targeted actions and direct benefits?

Having asked all these questions, seen that technology exists today that is available and can be deployed now, leaves us with arguably only one conclusion.

It is not a matter of technology, or indeed cost, as the current solutions are typically less costly than new platforms or systems.

It is a matter of mindset. It seems that pragmatic solutions that can be implemented at an operational and technical level - without large debate, development and committee involvement are not desirable.

To be pragmatic, one needs to ascertain both why we have such a disparate assortment of radio networks and infrastructure and why we are not already implementing decentralised and structured solutions that are proved, workable and cost effective.

‘Solutions’ that bring clear and ready benefits at low cost and where they are needed.

Encouraging an open and structured use of RoIP equipment is a ready and economically viable way forward. It allows both individual users and entire organisations to address the issues in their radio networks in a targeted and decisive manner.

And this type of deployment precludes nothing in the way of standards or future platforms. It does nothing more than enable a radio to communicate its baseband payload via an IP network.

Surely any standard or platform should be able to integrate such ‘IP radio’ nodes.

*Ralph Becker is managing director of testadvance pty/ltd. He has been involved in wireless communications for over 25 years, starting his career with HP in Europe. Ralph has delivered solutions and services to equipment and network providers around the world. He founded testadvance in 2003 and in 2010 expanded the companyÂ’s focus to include Radio-over-IP products and services.