The outlook for U.S. air-ground public radio/telephone services

Abstract

Since its inception in 1957, the growth of air-ground, public radio/telephone (AGPRT) service has seen rather modest growth with annual shipments of airborne radio units in 1975 amounting to only about $1.5 million. However, with the continued rapid expansion of business aviation, and improved air-ground, radio/telephone service provided by wider ground station coverage and better quality airborne sets, it is expected that significant growth in air-ground telephone services will occur during the next decade. This paper examines the past history of public air-ground radio/telephone services and the various factors that inhibited more rapid growth in both the civil air carrier and general aviation fields. It provides descriptions of existing systems and reviews past frequency assignments and general problems that have tended to discourage more widespread use of this service. This report projects both air carrier and general aviation activity where air-ground public radio telephone (AGPRT) has a tremendous service potential. With a population of some 75,000 business aircraft anticipated by 1985, it anticipates that tremendous growth in AGPRT is quite possible. It reviews the status of active and pending ground station licenses, the amount of present and projected traffic through typical ground stations and reviews the products and plans of both equipment manufacturers and service companies in the field. In addition, this analysis includes a review of FCC Docket 18262 and its implications for AGPRT service, the possible renewed interest on the part of air carriers in this service in preparation for the 1979 World Administrative Radio Conference, and the role of ARINC and other operators (including radio and telephone common carriers) in planning for and implementing new public air-ground radio services. The report concludes with the identification of key factors that will affect future activities in this field and permit the inherent growth potential to be realized.