printer friendly version

The communications format of choice

Radio communications will become even more attractive in the future, despite the arrival of other communications media.

Despite the new technologies being introduced into the market, radio continues to be the communications format of choice for large and small security companies alike. It continues to be the most failsafe method of transmitting data from an alarm installation to alert security companies that an alarm has been triggered and that the necessary response is required.

The technology was first introduced because traditional telephone lines were vulnerable to being cut by criminals and often took many days or even weeks to be fixed when they were out of order. This was not an option for security purposes as the signal has to work every time in emergency situations. With crime statistics as they are, a person about to become a victim of crime must be able to rely on their panic signal reaching help quickly and reliably.

Today, many houses rely purely on cellular phones for general voice communications and do not have a landline which could be used for security communication. Although GSM communication from an alarm installation to the control room has its place, it is not ideal as a primary means of communication because of the threat of blocking. It is ideal however as secondary communication in high-end installations where a lot of additional information is required and as a backup.

GSM is however ideal for carrying the large amounts of data required through radio networks once signals have been received from the installation. Network equipment is generally hosted in unknown locations and is therefore difficult to block. GSM is ideally used in conjunction with traditional radio. On the downside, a completely radio-based system is easy to control and maintain. Security companies are in control of all their own equipment and can quickly react to faults that may occur, minimising downtime. With GSM however, security companies are left in the hands of the cellular providers to sort out problems and therefore lose some of the control over their networks.

The availability of radio frequencies is however a problem, particularly in the major metropolitan areas. Technology has provided some answers to these issues. Equipment suppliers like RDC, have continually developed new ways of using frequencies spectrum in the most efficient ways. Because of RDC’s multi-user technology which it introduced into the market, many security companies can use a single frequency to reliably communicate alarm signals without interfering with each other. This gives new companies an easy way to start up as RDC runs multi-user frequencies for this purpose countrywide. Security companies can grow their client base without the hassle of applying for frequencies and running networks.

Despite the weakness in the local economy, and the trend for security companies to upgrade existing transmitters in the field and re-use them rather than buying new equipment, RDC has continued to see an overall growth in the number of transmitters being installed in the field. With the global economy set to worsen or at least recover very slowly, security companies will be looking for ways to save their customers money and offer better value. Radio communication remains the most cost effective format with both unrivalled hardware costs and no charges per signal – a sharp contrast to GSM communication fees and other newer technologies.

Share this article:

Further reading: