July 8, 2016

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5G Will be a “Game-Changer” for Alarm Signalling, Says BSIA Technical Director

The future of alarm signalling within UK telecoms infrastructure was discussed by Dave Wilkinson, director of technical services at the BSIA, at IFSEC 2016 recently.

Wilkinson, who has spent more than two decades in the electronic security industry, illustrated the scale of the challenge in upgrading the networks that alarm receiving centres rely on with some big numbers: the UK market has 33 million fixed voice lines and 24 million broadband lines.

But despite the scale of the challenge, the landscape is changing rapidly (albeit not fast enough for some). Fibre has already largely replaced copper and there are next-generation fixed network options. However, telecoms providers have already admitted that “there is no desire to turn off the PSTN network as long as it is technically and economically viable.”

Although there is, as yet, no consensus on a standard for 5G networks, a couple of potential candidates have emerged. Potentially offering a staggering 12-fold increase in speed over 4G networks, it’s no wonder that Wilkinson believes “the impact of 5G on our industry will be a game-changer.

“How will security equipment operate over the fibre network? The BSIA tests fibre network builds but this is limited.”

Wilkinson informed the audience in the Installer Theatre at the ExCeL London exhibition centre that “the BSIA and the Fire Industry Association have formed an alliance to tackle the changes.”

Options on the table for exploiting and managing these changes, he said, include:

  • Upgrading/reconfiguring PSTN devices
  • Considering changes to the message format
  • Using NGN-compatible devices
  • Using IP-configured devices
  • Considering a dual-path solution or radio solution
  • Making the customer aware of the risks of changing NGN providers

Mr Wilkinson, whose experience in the security industry spans CCTV, fire alarms, intruder alarms and access control, insisted the BSIA was playing a positive, constructive role in how the industry responds to the challenges: “The BSIA is building bridges,” he said. “These are the issues, but it’s not black and white.”

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