Radio Spectrum for Asset Tracking Mobile Data Networks Radiocommunications Agency launches public consultation

Press release - 26 May 1999

Keeping track of stolen goods such as cars, stereos and industrial plant equipment could become commonplace in the future thanks to a consultation paper launched by the Radiocommunications Agency (RA) today.

Spectrum for Asset Tracking Mobile Data Networks, asks for views on allocating part of the radio spectrum to allow the "asset tracking market" to expand. The asset tracking market, which currently allows private vehicle and fleet car companies to keep track of their vehicles, has seen increased interest from industry who would like to provide new services using spread spectrum techniques.

This interest, also identified in a European Radiocommunications Office report published last year, signifies significant potential growth for the asset tracking market. A number of applicants have recently approached the RA with proposals for the establishment of a national network for asset tracking based on spread spectrum techniques.

Welcoming the launch of the consultation exercise, DTI Telecoms Minister Michael Wills said:

"This consultation exercise will provide opportunities for the provision of relatively low cost asset tracking, home security and telecommand services to the public, a market which is not being adequately served at present.

"I am also supportive of the need to address this issue at the European level, which has clear advantages in terms of providing a larger market for products. The economies of scale that a harmonised European market would offer imply clear benefits to the consumer of wider choice and lower costs."

The consultation seeks views from all interested parties on spectrum for asset tracking mobile data networks in the UK, the underlying assumptions on which they are based and invites applications from those interested in providing such services. The closing date for comments is 24 June 1999.

1. Mobile data services are currently provided in the UK by four licensed operators namely Cognito Ltd, Ram Mobile Data Ltd, Vodafone Value Added and Data Services Ltd (formerly Paknet) and Securicor Datatrak Ltd who provide various data services and one licensee, Tracker Network (UK) Ltd, which provides an Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) system. Cellular networks and Public Access Mobile Radio (PAMR) also provide data functionality in their service provision but at present, data accounts for only a small percentage of their total traffic capacity. The four data networks cover approximately 90% of the UK, with over 200 base stations approximately in each network.

2. The estimated cost of an asset tracking service provided by networks using spread spectrum techniques is likely to be considerably lower than current prevailing rates and should, therefore, expand the market for these services significantly. Spread spectrum systems also provide frequency sharing possibilities between an asset tracking network and an existing incumbent service. Such systems, as well as providing an efficient, low cost solutions for both private vehicle and fleet operations, also lend themselves to such applications as home security, telemetry/telecommand, industrial plant and equipment.

3. Copies of the consultation document are available from:

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