Wednesday, May 21, 2008

The 100% Wireless Coverage Fantasy for Fleet Management

Going back a few years to when the earth was still cooling, dinosaurs ruled, and I first entered the wireless industry working for Motorola, we were taught a mantra for setting customer's coverage expectations...."90% of the places, 90% of the time." Even with the advent of GEO and now LEO satellite communications, it may be reasonable to bump up the percentage a bit....but the mantra holds true. There are just too many variables, even with combined satellite and terrestrial communications, to make the 100% claim. Buildings, trees, valleys and other physical blockages, atmospheric conditions, sunspots, and more all factor in.

I still hear that 100% expectation in the course of doing business though - now in the fleet management space. No question it is a noble goal, but that's all. In my opinion, any vendor that promises, implies or suggests to a customer the possibility of 100% wireless coverage should be met with high scrutiny regarding any of the other "commitments" they may be making.

Author: Steve Katz