Reliable radio networks are the foundation of mission critical communications in developing and emerging markets around the world. This technology has a reputation for ensuring safe, effective operations for utility, public safety, government, transportation and natural resources organizations.
Prosperous nations rely heavily on security and safety, which are supported by reliable communications systems.
While it’s clear that radio networks are a vital resource, it’s often not so easy to actually choose a solution that fits a particular developing market. There are many options and much confusion around what capabilities are beneficial, efficient, and cost-effective.
For most applications, the best option is a distributed architecture model using IP technology. To effectively deploy such a solution, system architects must follow clearly defined rules to ensure the needed levels of capacity, resiliency and security.
Consumers are typically quite accustomed to using IP connectivity systems for tasks as varied as making phone calls to completing secure financial transactions. End nodes on IP connected networks include mobile devices, utility services, and even appliances.
Distributed architectures using IP connectivity help network operators by:
- Simplifying the deployment and maintenance of otherwise complex systems by using a single base station to replace many discreet components.
- Scaling capacity up or down easily to meet system requirements.
- Enabling deployment of resilient networks without high cost duplicate equipment.
- Freeing architects to choose whatever vendor equipment is most appropriate, thanks to open standards.
- Achieving security on par or more robust than with discreet telecommunications circuits.
- Allowing rapid, reliable software updates and easy management through a single protocol for core and radio system operations.
- Lowering the cost of network deployments.
- Providing more bandwidth and more resilience at a lower cost than switch-based architecture.
These benefits extend equally well to private and pubic sector applications, and can mean the difference between an effective or ineffective support system for mission critical communications—especially in emerging markets.
Edited by Alisen Downey