The UK and US armed forces are trialling private mobile
GSM networks set up by UK firmPrivate Mobile
Networks.
The systems allow the two armed forces to control GSM traffic
within localised areas such as offices or military bases, as well
as providing the ability to quickly create localised calling cells
in remote locations, normally outside GSM coverage.
“The solution is primarily for business customers, to help
reduce mobile telephony costs and improve the limited functionality
of traditional mobile network operators”, said Dean Parsons,
operations director at Private Mobile Networks.
“However, we have received a huge volume of interest from
military and civil organisations that understand the value of GSM
technology, but do not want to run mission critical and sensitive
communications over a publicly accessible network.”
The
Private Mobile exchange (PMX) technology
delivers a secure encrypted private network, with no access
without a PMN SIM card plus the manual registration of the phone
into the PMX system
The system can also take advantage of the military satellite
networks by being able to be connected to a very small aperture
transmitter (VSAT) satellite system.
Parsons said he expected the UK armed forces to adopt his firm’s
system within “the next 12 months”. The locations of the US and UK
trials have not been disclosed.
Ofcom sanctions business use of private GSM networks
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