High Risk, High Rewards - Software Radio Technology plc

'Software Radio Technology plc in the South West of England is one of only a handful of companies worldwide to have succeeded in mastering this highly advanced technology'

Digital professional mobile technology is among the most complex technologies in the world. It is used in mission critical environments, by the police, fire and ambulance crews, the security services and the military. With people's lives depending on it, professional mobile technology needs to be totally reliable, secure and capable of complex voice and data applications.

Software Radio Technology plc in the South West of England is one of only a handful of companies worldwide to have succeeded in mastering this highly advanced technology - and the only one to license its technology to mobile handset manufacturers. In less than two years, the company has gained a foothold in every continent in the world and succeeded in penetrating some of the most challenging and competitive global markets including China, Taiwan and South Korea.

Software Radio Technology began life in the 1980s as Software Wireless Technology Ltd, a partnership between Securicor and the University of Bristol. Fifteen years later, after establishing a track record as an innovator in the field of conceptual digital communications, the company was acquired by businessman and entrepreneur, Simon Tucker. His strategy was to concentrate on developing a TETRA-compliant digital professional mobile technology. TETRA (Terrestrial Trunked Radio) is an international set of standards covering professional mobile communications systems and TETRA networks are being rolled out in 85 countries across the world. It was a high risk strategy, as Simon explains:

"For three years, our order books were empty while we concentrated all our efforts and millions of pounds of our own money on developing a groundbreaking new technology that would be TETRA compliant. Many larger, and more established, companies than ours had tried, and failed, in this highly complex field, however, we were confident that our expert team of engineers, supplemented by recruits from all over the world, would succeed - and we were right! From a zero starting point, our small Somerset-based company now has customers in every continent in the world, including some of the most demanding global markets. The TETRA network is being rolled out across the world. Capacity is set to triple in Europe alone in the next few years. In addition to paying us a fee to license our technology, our customers also pay us royalties for each product sold. With around 40 million potential users of TETRA technology, our income potential is vast. "

At the same time as its TETRA research and development, Software Radio Technology began developing a marine identification and tracking system. Yet again, the company was taking a risk, as Simon explains:

"In 2002, the International Maritime Organisation made it mandatory for vessels over 300GT to comply with an international standard called AIS (Automatic Identification System). The idea was for every vessel to be fitted with an international standard system that would enable it to be accurately identified and precisely located to help avoid collisions. We recognised the wider potential of AIS as a tool to aid coastal security and port management, as well as for other applications such as search and rescue and tracking competitors in a yacht race, and so on. So, despite the fact that there was no market for it at the time, Software Radio Technology spent two years and $4 million on speculative research, developing a more cost-effective Automatic Identification System that could be installed in smaller vessels. It was our insurance policy in case we failed in pursuit of our TETRA technology."

The insurance policy paid off. The marine sector also recognised the benefit of AIS technology for smaller vessels and, today, Software Radio Technology is the world's leading supplier of Marine Automatic Identification Systems technology and products. It has customers in almost every country in the world and with a global market of over 27 million vessels on 360 million square kilometres of ocean, the opportunities for expansion are almost limitless.

A rare combination of vision, courage and technological expertise has made Software Radio Technology a leader in some of the most complex and challenging markets in the world. The company has its roots in the South West of England and continues to carry out all of its research and development in the region. Simon concludes: "A company is its people. We have one of the world's finest teams of engineers, drawn locally from our existing pool of talent and from all around the world. We are, and will remain, totally committed to the South West of England."