An Explanation of Subscriber vs. Customer-Owned Paging

An Explanation of
Subscriber vs. Customer-Owned Paging

Motorola is a leading supplier of pagers and paging equipment, and they provide complete paging system solutions to customers.

Customer-Owned Paging and Subscriber Paging are two distinct business units that exist to meet diverse customer needs and provide communication solutions. Subscriber Paging sells Motorola pagers for use on public paging systems, while Customer-Owned Paging provides complete paging system solutions, including pagers, to organizations who decide to purchase their own systems for private use.

The primary differences between Subscriber Paging and Customer-Owned Paging are described below.

Subscriber Paging

Public paging service providers are commonly referred to as Radio Common Carriers (RCCs). Radio Common Carriers own and operate paging systems for use by the general public. RCCs provide local, statewide, nationwide, and in some instances international paging transmission and communication services. PageNetTM, SkyTelTM, MobileCommTM, Air TouchTM (formerly PacTelTM), MetroMediaTM and U.S. WestTM, are examples of Radio Common Carriers. (This is a representative sample, not a Motorola endorsement).

RCCs purchase Motorola pagers and typically place their own brand name on the product. Any individual can purchase or lease a Motorola pager from an RCC. Subscribers typically pay a one-time activation fee and contract for monthly pager service. Service charges are dependent on the coverage area required and the number of ancillary services, such as voice mail or alphanumeric messaging. (Today, numeric display pagers are predominantly used on RCC networks.)

RCCs also sell Motorola pagers through retail distribution channels, such as Service Merchandise and Target. When an individual purchases a pager through a retail distribution channel, they typically pay a one-time pager activation fee to receive paging service.

Radio Common Carriers provide a benefit to organizations requiring wide-area communications for employees "on the move." RCCs possess their own FCC licenses, own and maintain their own paging infrastructure and pagers, and provide replacement pagers when leased. RCCs offer businesses basic paging service that usually covers a wide area, with a lower cost charged per subscriber.

Customer-Owned Paging

Many organizations, both large and small, find that all of their needs cannot be met by Radio Common Carriers (RCCs); therefore, many customers find they prefer to own their own paging system. Private system ownership enables organizations to control paging communications, while ensuring timely and reliable communications for site mobile personnel. Dependent on customer requirements, customer-owned paging systems may cover a specific building, an entire campus, or a state.

Motorola's Customer-Owned Paging Operation has provided total paging system solutions, including pagers, to state and government agencies, municipalities and hospitals. Manufacturing facilities, retail establishments and others are additional customers. These organizations own and maintain their own paging infrastructure and pagers, and may also subscribe to an RCC to provide wider-area coverage for specific individuals.

Organizations who own their own paging systems must be licensed with the FCC, under Part 90 - Private Land Mobile Radio Services (See Section 8, Appendix, FCC Part 90 Rules). The end-user is required to file the appropriate paperwork, including frequency coordination from NABER* for "Private Paging."

Motorola has a National Shared License Agreement, awarded by the FCC for four 2-Watt frequencies. These 2-Watt frequencies are designed for low power transmission, typically required by small to medium-sized facilities, for on-site, in-building coverage. Customers are not required to file with the FCC since Motorola maintains the license.

Customer-Owned paging systems provide distinct advantages to businesses who have a requirement for all types of paging service; voice, numeric and alphanumeric. A description of pager types follows:

Tone pagers alert users with a loud beeping tone and typically a flashing indicator. With some paging receivers the sound of the alert tone may be changed to indicate group call, a page from a different system, or a priority page.

Voice pagers alert users with a tone, and then the voice message is received. Voice paging provides detailed information and message urgency. Some voice pagers have memory capability enabling the user to store voice messages for later reference.

Numeric pagers alert users with either a tone or vibration, signaling receipt of a numeric message, typically a telephone number. The user is provided with immediate notification to contact a specific individual.

Alphanumeric pagers alert users with either a tone or vibration, signaling receipt of an alphanumeric message. The text message provides detailed and complete information. Alphanumeric messaging typically eliminates the need to return telephone calls, saving time and increasing efficiency.