Table 1 Limitations/shortcomings and benefits of current technologies for emergency response communications
From: Ubiquitous robust communications for emergency response using multi-operator heterogeneous networks
Technology | Limitations/shortcomings | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
Cellular | low to medium bandwidth, centralized architecture, high cost of infrastructure deployment and maintenance | high mobility, high coverage, high penetration of smart phones, broadcasting mechanisms for audio and video transmission |
Satellite | asymmetrical transmission rates, high cost of equipment, heavy weight of equipment | immune to terrestrial congestion, coverage in even sparsely populated areas, high transmission rates |
TETRA | centralised architecture, low transmission rates | a good established and mature technology, expansion to many countries |
Wi-Fi | limited coverage, intra and inter-channel interference | high transmission rates, use of unlicensed spectrum, rapid proliferation of Wi-Fi-enabled devices |
WiMAX | centralised architecture, licensed spectrum use, high cost of infrastructure deployment and maintenance | high transmission rates, proliferation of WiMAX-enabled devices (e.g. smart phones, femtocells) |