First Responder Wireless Communications

Public Safety Communications Technologies, Market Drivers, and Forecasts

Police, fire, and EMS members have become accustomed to reliable and secure communications systems with analog radio technologies. Now they want to increase efficient use of radio frequency spectrum and create interoperability between agencies and jurisdictions.

This study describes the emergence of digital wireless communications networks for first responder agencies. It outlines the challenges faced by public safety personnel seeking to communicate effectively under pressure with other mission-critical organizations, and explains the initiatives of TIA and ETSI to develop standard air protocols and interfaces that satisfy current and future market requirements. The report examines the regulation established by the United States FCC to allocate broadband wireless spectrum for public safety applications and the resulting availability of products and applications. The research further explains some of the salient technology features of P25, TETRA, and broadband wireless networks, and it looks at the groups' evolutionary roadmaps for increased data performance. Finally the study describes the different market trends for first responder wireless networks, such as regulatory, investment, and adoption, and forecasts the size of these markets to 2013.

What Questions Does This Report Answer?

  • What is the status of first responder wireless networks?
  • Why does the industry want interoperability and what is its status?
  • Why can't commercial mobile cellular and mobile broadband services address the market need?
  • What is happening with regard to the Project 25 interface standardization and compliance process?
  • What regions and countries are adopting private Land Mobile Radio technologies?
  • What progress has broadband wireless made in addressing non-voice public safety applications?
  • How do the requirements of data networking for blue light organizations differ from those of consumers and private business?
  • Who are the main players in the public safety communications field?
  • What is the roadmap for next-generation first responder wireless network technologies?
  • What is the market size opportunity in terms of unit volumes and revenues for user radio terminals?

Who Needs This Report?

  • Private LMR infrastructure manufacturers
  • User radio terminal equipment manufacturers
  • Broadband wireless equipment manufacturers
  • Public safety and government system integrators
  • Ecosystem vendors including dispatch and command and control
  • Applications and content providers
  • Government agencies investing in public safety spectrum and communications services

Table of Contents


Section 1.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1.1. Government Bodies
1.2. Public Safety Organizations
1.3. Infrastructure OEMs
1.4. Handset and Device OEMs

Section 2.
TECHNOLOGY OVERVIEW
2.1. Conventional Radio Systems
2.2. Trunked Radio Systems
2.3. Hybrid Conventional and Trunking Systems
2.4. iDEN (Push-to-Talk)
2.5. MPT1327
2.6. Digital Private Mobile Radio (dPMR)
2.7. Project 25
2.7.1. P25 Open Interfaces
2.7.2. P25 Compliance
2.7.3. P25 Evolution Phases
2.8. Tetrapol
2.9. TETRA
2.9.1. Release 1 – The Birth of TETRA
2.9.1.1. Release 1 – Voice and Data Services
2.9.1.2. Direct Mode Operation (DMO)
2.9.1.3. Disadvantages of TETRA Release 1
2.9.2. TETRA Release 2
2.9.2.1. Trunked Mode Operation (TMO) Range Extension
2.9.2.2. TETRA Advanced Packet Service (TAPS)
2.9.2.3. TETRA Enhanced Data Service (TEDS)
2.9.3. TETRA Security
2.10. Project MESA
2.11. Broadband Wireless Systems
2.11.1. FCC 4.9 GHz Public Safety Band
2.11.2. WLAN
2.11.3. Point-to-Point
2.11.4. Point-to-Multipoint
2.11.5. Mesh Topologies

Section 3.
MARKET TRENDS
3.1. Regulatory Approval and Spectrum Identification
3.1.1. The Opportunity for TETRA in the United States
3.2. Grants and Funding
3.3. Market Requirements
3.3.1. APCO Project 25 Adoption
3.3.2. TETRA Adoption
3.3.3. Tetrapol Adoption
3.3.4. 4.9 GHz Public Safety Wireless Network Adoption

Section 4.
MARKET FORECASTS
4.1. Methodology and Assumptions
4.2. Radio Shipments by Region
4.2.1. Western Europe
4.2.2. Eastern Europe
4.2.3. Asia-Pacific
4.2.4. Middle East
4.2.5. Africa
4.2.6. North America
4.2.7. South America
4.2.8. Regional Opportunities
4.3. Radio Shipments by Type
4.4. Radio Revenue by Region
4.5. Radio Revenue by Type
4.6. Vendor Market Share
4.6.1. Project 25
4.6.2. Tetrapol
4.6.3. TETRA
4.6.4. 4.9 GHz Public Safety
4.6.5. Top Vendors: 2007
4.6.6. Vendor Market Share Forecast: 2013

Section 5.
COMPANY PROFILES
5.1. Aeroflex
5.2. Airaya Corp
5.3. Airspan Networks
5.4. BelAir Networks
5.5. Cisco Systems
5.6. EADS
5.7. EFJohnson Technologies
5.8. Etherstack
5.9. Firetide, Inc
5.10. Harris Corp
5.11. Icom America
5.12. JPS Communications
5.13. Kenwood USA
5.14. Motorola
5.15. Project 25 Technology Interest Group (PTIG)
5.16. Relm Wireless
5.17. Selex Communications
5.18. Sepura plc
5.19. Software Radio Technology plc
5.20. SRI International
5.21. Tait Radio Communications
5.22. Teltronic
5.23. TETRA Association
5.24. Thales Communications
5.25. Tyco Electronics M/A-COM
5.26. Vertex Standard Co, Ltd
5.27. Zetron, Inc

Section 6.
COMPANY DIRECTORY

Section 7.
ACRONYMS
STRATEGIC RECOMMENDATIONS
.12 Technology Comparison
SCOPE OF STUDY
SOURCES AND METHODOLOGY
NOTES



Tables
  • Peak Transmit Power Limits, 4.9 GHz Public Safety Band
  • Public Safety Wireless Communications Technology Comparison
  • Partner-Operated Regional or Nationwide TETRA Networks across Europe
  • First Responder Networks Deploying Tetrapol, 2003 to 2005
  • Radio Shipments Western Europe, Forecast: 2006 to 2013
  • Radio Shipments Eastern Europe, Forecast: 2006 to 2013
  • Radio Shipments Asia-Pacific, Forecast: 2006 to 2013
  • Radio Shipments Middle East, Forecast: 2006 to 2013
  • Radio Shipments Africa, Forecast: 2006 to 2013
  • Radio Shipments North America, Forecast: 2006 to 2013
  • Radio Shipments South America, Forecast: 2006 to 2013
  • Radio Shipments by Region World Market, Forecast: 2006 to 2013
  • Radio Shipments by Type World Market, Forecast: 2006 to 2013
  • Radio Revenue by Region World Market, Forecast: 2006 to 2013
  • Radio Revenue by Type World Market, Forecast: 2006 to 2013

Charts
  • Radio Shipments by Region World Market, Forecast: 2006 to 2013
  • Radio Revenue by Region World Market, Forecast: 2006 to 2013
  • Vendor Shipment Market Share, Project 25 World Market, 2007
  • Vendor Shipment Market Share, TETRA World Market, 2007
  • Vendor Shipment Market Share, 4.9 GHz World Market, 2007
  • Top Vendor Shipment Market Share, All Technologies World Market, 2007
  • Top Vendor Shipment Market Share, All Technologies World Market, Forecast: 2013

Figures
  • dPMR Block Diagram
  • Project 25 Suite of Standards, Interface Definition
  • Tetrapol PAS Parts Description
  • TETRA Standard Interfaces
  • TAPS Architecture and Interfaces
  • TEDS RF Channel Bandwidths and Data Rates
  • WAN Performance Technology Comparison
  • Project MESA Scenario Classes
  • Depiction of Wireless Mesh Network Deployment for Public Safety
  • Countries with P25 Interoperable Equipment or Networks
  • Announced TETRA Contracts, Percentage by Application, May 2008
  • Announced TETRA Contracts, Percentage by Region, May 2008
  • Multi-vendor TETRA Deployments, September 2008