Data Networks

In the UK (and most of Europe) there are only two 'main' ways the average business can communicate between their vehicles, and the office. By far the oldest is by using the Mobitex network, with the alternative being the GPRS phone network.

Both have their strengths and their weakness. Mobitex is 'Mission Critical' and therefore has been used predominately by the emergence services, since the early nineties. As a result it is slight more expensive, but for many business the extra reliability is well worth the extra cost.

The other method is by using the Cellular Telephone network, at the time of writing either GSM or GPRS. As we all know the phone network can sometimes 'buckle under the strain' (during 9-11 the New York Mobitex network was the only network to continue to function). If however you can accept the odd missing fix, then GPRS is an acceptable alternative. Please note: We do not ever suggest GSM for business users due to the high cost if used greatly. 

Normally Mobile Tracking Systems can advice you on the best option. If however you are one of those people who likes to make their own informed decision and have never heard of Mobitex, here is a background to the service.

About the UK Mobitex Network.
The Mobitex network is operated by a division of BT called Transcomm (Formally RAM Mobile Data). Target market sectors include Field Service, Transportation & Distribution, Local Government and the Emergency Services. The company was formed in 1989 as RAM Mobile Data, a joint business venture between worldwide leaders in telecommunications, including BellSouth and RAM Broadcasting Corporation. Transcomm became part of BT in 2004.

The Network uses Mobitex, the international standard for wireless data communications, originally developed by Ericsson. Mobitex networks exist internationally. Applications developed on one Mobitex network will work on others; the UK Network is compatible with other Mobitex networks. The Network quality system is ISO9002 certified.

The Network covers over 95% of the UK population for mobile coverage and 98% for fixed coverage. The Network caters for portable, mobile and fixed solutions, enabling data communication between mobile workers and host systems, between host systems and mobile workers, or between mobile workers, i.e. peer-to-peer. Fixed telemetry applications provide communication between devices such as alarm and systems for monitoring purposes.

Packet-switched networks differ from circuit-switched networks such as GSM voice and data services. Circuit-switched networks require a dedicated channel for communication and while that channel is being used, no other user can access it. Packet-switched networks, however, break data into sections (packets) which travel independently across the Network; this allows multiple users to access the same channel, thus avoiding network congestion problems and eliminating the need for an end-to-end connection. This results in far greater capacity, no busy signals and the ability to charge only for data transmitted - not connection time. Most importantly, because no connection is required, users are effectively always on-line - sending and receiving information as it becomes available.

Because the Transcomm Network is dedicated to short and frequent data exchange, it can support many more users and transmit data faster and more reliably than GSM's SMS text messaging service. This is because GSM's SMS service must share system resource with voice services; high voice usage may delay SMS messages since they have a lower priority than voice services. The Transcomm Network is optimised for and dedicated to data transmission; there is no trade off between voice and data transmission. The Network is inherently reliable; quarterly operational figures reflect an average Network availability of 99.97%. The Network's radio link employs complex error checking; four separate types of error detection and correction techniques are used.

The Network is managed and maintained by Transcomm technicians 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year and is not outsourced. In 1996, the Home Office awarded Transcomm (then RAM) sole provider status for Mobile Data Bearer services to the Police and Fire Services, under a Home Office Framework arrangement.

More info at mobitex.com