Supply
chain standards body e.centre has moved to allay fears that
differences in frequency and power levels for RFID technologies
between Europe and the US will affect the competitiveness of UK
companies.
At a recent
roundtable attended by firms such as Nestle and Tesco, concerns
were raised that European radio regulations could compromise RFID
use across the continent, negating the much touted benefits of the
technology.
However, Andrew
Osborne, chief technology officer for e.centre, said that the
levels expected to be approved would enable European firms to
closely emulate US reader systems, which are more powerful at the
moment.
"There is a lot of
confusion about the power and frequency of RFID tags and readers
and this needs to be addressed," Osborne said. "However, there is a
clear timetable for European frequency and power regulations to be
finalised both at a continental and country level. This means that
tags can move internationally and be easily read."
European
regulation of power levels will be resolved later this year, but
they are likely to allow operation at 2 Watts effective radiated
power (ERP) level, which gives 90% of the range of the 4
Watt equivalent isotropic radiated power (EIRP) level allowed in US
readers. Power levels affect the distance at which tags can be
read.
The proposed new
regulations will enable tags to operate in the 865-868MHz band. The
same tags will also work in the 902-928MHz range used in North and
South America and in the bands expected to be used in China and
Japan.
Retailers and
manufacturers should therefore continue planning for the widespread
adoption of the technology, Osborne said.
“What is important
is that both retailers and suppliers get ready for the arrival of
RFID,” he said. “They should run pilot schemes within those power
ranges and frequencies and find which products and systems work
best for them ahead of a full deployment.”
- A global survey of 90 retailers and manufacturers has revealed
that the majority of respondents do not have timelines for RFID
deployments, despite having already allocated budget for the
technology.
The research, from
Deloitte, the ePC Group and Retail Systems Alert, found that less
than 10% of retailers and less than 40% of manufacturers had
forecasted target dates and goals for a phased introduction of
their RFID implementations.
Nevertheless, 28%
of the respondents said they plan to spend at least £275,000 on
RFID this year with some putting aside £5.5m for the
technology.