For many years, security departments generally used commercial two-way radios (VHF/UHF) for their communications needs. In some cases, they would share frequencies with other departments within the company (facilities department, etc.), and in other cases, they would have a dedicated frequency just for security. Larger sites might even have their own two-way radio repeaters which extended the range of mobile and portable radios.
Now days, I am seeing more and more of my clients abandon their two way radios in favor of cell phones or Nextels with the direct connect feature. These systems share communications infrastructure with other cell phone users, and from what I understand, are subject to outage when the system becomes overloaded due to call volume, such as just after an earthquake or other disaster. For security operations, this could mean that you are without communications just at time when you need it the most.
I am interested to see if any of you on this forum are also seeing this trend away from dedicated two-way radio systems, and what, if any, experience you have had with cell phone/Nextel outages during times of emergency. I am also curious if anyone experienced any extended outages due to the recent fires in Southern California.
Now days, I am seeing more and more of my clients abandon their two way radios in favor of cell phones or Nextels with the direct connect feature. These systems share communications infrastructure with other cell phone users, and from what I understand, are subject to outage when the system becomes overloaded due to call volume, such as just after an earthquake or other disaster. For security operations, this could mean that you are without communications just at time when you need it the most.
I am interested to see if any of you on this forum are also seeing this trend away from dedicated two-way radio systems, and what, if any, experience you have had with cell phone/Nextel outages during times of emergency. I am also curious if anyone experienced any extended outages due to the recent fires in Southern California.
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