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."