Public Access Mobile Radio |
Companies which require the use of commercial two way business radio (for example to communicate with delivery or sales staff) have a choice whether to provide their own communications in-house or to purchase the facility from a service provider.
Within a local area, service for a number of customers may be provided from a transmitter at a single site (typically up to 45 km from the site) which is called a Common Base Station (CBS), details of which are separately available in information sheet RA 307. Where a number of transmitters are linked together to form a regional or national network, the service is known as Public Access Mobile Radio (PAMR).
One feature of PAMR is that it uses a facility called trunking where a number of channels are linked in such a way that a mobile using the network will be able to choose the next available free channel, rather than wait for a particular channel to become free. This reduces call waiting time and also improves the efficiency with which the radio spectrum is used. Signalling is also used to identify and separate the individual customer groups sharing the service. This gives a degree of privacy, although like most radio systems PAMR cannot provide complete immunity from eavesdropping.
A subscriber has both a larger coverage and potentially a higher grade of service than for a private mobile radio system without the burden of the infrastructure and maintenance costs for a wide area system. Subscribers do not require individual radio licences since the operator is licensed under the Wireless Telegraphy and Telecommunications Acts which cover all radio use on the assigned channels.
At present, most PAMR systems operate in the former TV broadcasting spectrum Band III (174 - 225 MHz) and the services are sometimes referred to as "Band III Networks". PAMR is suitable for use in both rural and urban areas with a reasonable antenna size which permits both mobile and handportable use.
PAMR offers a number of advantages over traditional Private Mobile Radio:
no need to apply for a licence;
no need to purchase and maintain an expensive
infrastructure;
choice of networks and mobile equipment;
high quality channels with exclusive use
during each conversation;
computer-controlled access gives short waiting
times and a degree of privacy;
flexible coverage (regional or national);
potential for migration and roaming between
networks;
availability of a range of value added
services such as short data transmission or interconnection to the public switched
telephone network.
There are two operators licensed to offer a national service at present. Several other operators offer services in specific regions. Details of services and tariffs should be obtained directly from the operators at the following addresses:
National Band Three Ltd.
Wren HouseOPERATIONAL AREA: National
Fleetcomm LTD
The GrangeOPERATIONAL AREA: National
Centronet 3 LTD
Radio HouseOPERATIONAL AREA: Birmingham
RS Hill & Sons LTD
Acacia HouseOPERATIONAL AREA: Guildford area
Mercantile Radio Services LTD
134 Gloucester AvenueOPERATIONAL AREA: London
Norweb plc
Talbot RoadOPERATIONAL AREA: Lancs/Merseyside
Signature Industries LTD
Unit 19OPERATIONAL AREA: Central Scotland
Zycomm Electronics LTD
Nottingham RoadOPERATIONAL AREA: East Midlands
Issued by :
Public Mobile Communications Section
Tel. No. 020 7211 0238
RA 308 (Rev 2)
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