Public Mobile Data

CONTENTS:

1. Introduction

(i) What is Mobile Data
(ii) General
(iii) Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL)
(iv) Asset Tracking
(v) Meteor Bursts
(vi) Further information

2. UK Public Mobile Operators

3. UK Data Frequency Ranges

4. Other Sources of Information

(i) Websites
(ii) Legislation

 1.

INTRODUCTION

What is Mobile Data?

Mobile data networks provide two-way transmissions of non-voice messages (data). The data is usually transmitted in "packet" form, meaning it is sent in short, high-speed bursts rather than in real time. For example, if sending a text message, the text is typed into a terminal and stored until the user is ready to transmit. This approach makes these networks very spectrum-efficient, since a message that might take many seconds to be spoken or typed can be transmitted over the air as block data in a fraction of a second.

General

Mobile data services are currently provided in the UK by three national licensed operators - Transcomm UK Ltd, Siemens Datatrak Location & Systems Ltd, and Vodafone Ltd which provide various data services. Additionally one licensee, Tracker Network (UK) Ltd, provides solely an Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) service and QuikTrak (UK) Ltd provides both AVL and an asset tracking service.

Cellular GSM/TETRA and PAMR also provide data functionality in their service provision, but, data currently accounts for only a small percentage of the total traffic (voice + data) capacity.

As well as providing an efficient, low-cost solution for both private vehicle and fleet operations, mobile data systems also lend themselves to such applications as home security, telemetry/telecommand, industrial plant and equipment.

Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL)

Tracker Network (UK) Ltd uses a single frequency channel in the "base transmit" range of VHF mid band, while Quik Trak (UK) Ltd uses a CDMA spread-spectrum system. These services are licensed (and charged) as National Public Mobile Data channels; however, these companies are not allowed to provide any other data facility apart from AVL and are therefore not true data licensees, as their licences allow them to provide only this one specific niche data application.

Asset-Tracking

Asset-tracking is an automatic tracking and messaging system designed to provide real-time asset-tracking and two-way data services. In the past few years a number of
companies have developed systems that could provide asset-tracking services using spread spectrum techniques. Proponents of these systems argue that the market for relatively low-cost asset-tracking services is potentially huge and is a not being adequately served by the existing mobile data network operators.

In June 1999, the Radiocommunications Agency (RA) published the consultation document "Spectrum for Asset Tracking Mobile Data Networks". This explained the perceived market for asset-tracking using spread-spectrum techniques, and reviewed the spectrum issues associated with providing an allocation for these services. The consultation contained a number of proposals, and sought views from all parties interested in providing an asset-tracking service in the UK.

Consequently, RA awarded a Wireless Telegraphy Act licence to QuikTrak (UK) Ltd on 18 July 2000, to provide an asset tracking mobile data network in the UK.

Meteor Bursts

Meteor Burst networks provide two-way transmission of non-voice messages (data) (in "packet" form - see "What is Mobile Data?" above).

In November 2002, RA published the consultation document "Spectrum for Asset-Tracking Mobile Data Networks Using Meteor Burst Systems". This consultation explained that in the last few years a number of companies have developed systems that can provide asset-tracking and remote metering services using Meteor Burst technology. Proponents of these systems believe that there is a market for these services, which is not being adequately served by existing mobile data network operators.

The consultation sought views from those interested in the award of a licence for the operation of a national Meteor Burst network within the UK, and asked whether the 39.0 to 39.2 MHz harmonised band should be made available for the deployment of Meteor Burst systems in the UK.

Further Information

If you have any further queries relating to data networks in the UK, please email the Public Wireless Networks Unit on pwn@ra.gsi.gov.uk. If you have any other queries, please call the RA Library on 020 7211 0211 or email library@ra.gsi.gov.uk.

2. UK PUBLIC MOBILE OPERATORS

In the UK there are 4 National data operators.

Apart from these national operators, there are two Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) operators one of which is also an asset-tracking service provider:

3. UK DATA FREQUENCY RANGES

Frequencies:
105 - 165 MHz
174 - 208 MHz
420 - 470 MHz
850 - 870 MHz
For non-voice operation only.

(i) Technical Parameters:

The radio frequency carrier spacing in the frequency band of operation is required to be 12.5 kHz.

The maximum permissible ERP is 25 watts.

4. OTHER SOURCES OF INFORMATION

(i) Websites:

UK data operator Websites

Department of Trade and Industry - Communications and Information Industries Directorate (CII)

www.dti.gov.uk/cii/

UK Office of Telecommunications (Oftel)

www.oftel.gov.uk

(ii) Legislation

Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949
Wireless Telegraphy Act 1998
Statutory Instrument SI 2003 No. 74 - The Wireless Telegraphy (Exemption) Regulations 2003

A full listing of RA supplementary legislation can be found at http://www.radio.gov.uk/topics/legislation/leg-index.htm

Telecommunications Act 1984
Health and Safety at Work Act 1974