What is a PMR (professional mobile radio) network?

What is a PMR (professional mobile radio) network?

PMR networks have several characteristics:

  • They are independent networks.
  • They operate on mobile service frequency bands.
  • They are separate from traditional mobile networks open to the public (2G to 5G networks).
  • They are implemented to meet professional needs.
  • Their coverage is most often local or regional.
  • They can provide public protection and disaster relief (PPDR) services.

A wide range of users

  • Companies ranging from independent professionals to large groups, covering a wide range of sectors such as:
    • transport (road haulage companies, bus and taxi companies, airport services, motorway companies, ambulance services, etc.);
    • security and guarding;
    • building and public works;
    • energy;
    • industry.
  • Sports and leisure associations.
  • Government departments, hospitals, local authorities, public establishments.

A wide range of facilities

Many uses correspond to fleets of walkie-talkie type terminals in direct communication or with limited local infrastructure.

  • Installations set up by small businesses, for example.
  • Provision of mainly voice services.

Some networks are regional, or even national, with an architecture based on a significant number of base stations.

  • Digital technologies such as TETRA, TETRAPOL or GSM-R.
  • Provision of voice and data exchange services.

Technologies used

Analogue technologies are used in many long-established installations.

  • Provision of voice services and additional services such as short messages, location and emergency calls.
  • 6.25 or 12.5 kHz channels.

Digital technologies, introduced in the mid-1990s, are becoming increasingly important as facilities are renewed.

This provision of voice and data exchange services is differentiated by:

  • technologies operating in channels of up to 25 kHz, with speeds of up to a few tens of kbit/s (technologies such as TETRA, TETRAPOL, DMR, dPMR);
  • technologies operating in 50 to 200 kHz channels, offering speeds of up to several hundred kbit/s (TEDS and GSM-R type technologies).