Question 1

How do pagers work?

Accepted Answer

A pager is a basic radio that listens to just one station all of the time effectively. A radio transmitter will broadcast a signal over a specific frequency. All of the pagers for a particular network will have an integral receiver that is then tuned to the same frequency broadcast from a transmitter. The pagers in turn listen to the signal from the transmitter constantly as long as the pager is switched on.

Each pager will generally have a specific identification sequence called a Channel Access Protocol (CAP) code. The pager then listens for its unique CAP code and when it hears the code, it alerts the user and may even provide additional information – this will depend on the pager type.

There are several basic types of pager:

Beeper – This is the first and probably the simplest form of paging. Beepers simply provide a basic alert to the user. They are called ‘beepers’ because the original version made a beeping sound, but in fact current pagers in this category vary in the type of alerts they produce. Some use audio signals, others light up and some even vibrate. Many of them can provide a combination of alerts. Here are a few examples:

Voice - Tone – Such pagers deliver the ability to listen to a recorded voice message when one is alerted that you have a page.

Numeric - These are pagers that provide the ability to send a numeric message - such as a phone number with a page alert.

Alphanumerical - These are pagers provide the ability to send a text message along with the page alert to the person.

Two-way pagers - These pagers that provide the ability to send as well as receive messages.

Regional and national paging networks often set up towers, not unlike those used for cell phones in order cover large areas. On-site paging systems such as the ones used by restaurants simply use a small desktop transmitter.

Question 2

What is radio paging?

Accepted Answer

Broadcasting (i.e sending instant information to thousands or millions of people at a time) is what made radio and television so powerful in effect but if you want to send a message to only one person for example? 

A pager is a quite small personal radio receiver that you carry around in your pocket. You’ll have a personal code and anyone who wants to send a message to you simply dials or quotes that number with the message they want to send – that in turn puts them through to a switchboard at a central department. In turn, a person (or more likely a machine) immediately sends out the message with thousands of others using a configured network of radio transmitting antennas. 

All the pagers in staff’s pockets are constantly just picking up all the messages being sent out and your personal pager will ignore any messages that simply don't contain your personal code or number. Once a message comes through with your code, a pager will buzz or beep you and display any message with the date and time.

Question 3

How do 2 way pagers work?

Accepted Answer

Two-way pagers are really pagers that allow you to send data as well as receive it. Some two-way pagers can also handle alphanumeric input and display and can send and receive email and SMS messages too.  This having been said pagers are still fairly widely used amongst medical and emergency personnel but also IT support staff.

Question 4

Are mobile phones suitable for hospitals?

Accepted Answer

It’s actually possible to buy a cell phone signal booster for better reception in a hospital but industrial-level products can cost many thousands of pounds each. It’ simply is a price many hospitals are unwilling to pay. Pagers are better suited. Reliable communication is particularly important during a major emergency. In a natural disaster for instance, mobile phone cell services can easily get clogged up and make it very hard for most people to send a message. A pager obviously increases the chances of those messages getting through.

During emergencies, hospital staff might also need to reach hundreds of people at the same time so by creating massive group texts, pagers can easily send a message to hundreds of people at the same time.

Another important factor in an emergency is battery life. Pagers only need to be charged every week or so which makes them less likely to leave doctors hanging without power. They don’t rely on being charged like a mobile cell phone.

Question 5

Do pagers work anywhere?

Accepted Answer

It's certainly true that pagers are generally designed for one-way communication, but the lack of a radio transmitter also makes them so suitable for environments such as hospitals where mobile phones may be more dangerous to use. This is primarily because their transmitters could interfere with medical equipment.

Question 6

What are the benefits of paging?

Accepted Answer

Paging is the fastest and most secure technology to receive emergency calls and notifications. Due to the technical structure of paging networks messages can be received within seconds. This is some cases can be the difference between life and death.  

Modern day paging systems can also connected into a host of third party applications and systems giving you the option to have all of your monitoring and workflows delivered straight to a user’s device within seconds

Question 7

Is paging old technology?

Accepted Answer

Paging has been a tried and tested method of message delivery for over 50 years in applications from First Aid through to emergency crash calls.  Due to the period of time that paging has been used it is sometimes mistakenly seen as "old technology"

Modern day paging and communication platforms allow for you to be device agnostic whilst still ensuring that you deploy the correct equipment to the correct team members. This means you can now operate a paging system that will offer you paging for the critical elements of your organisation but also mobile phones and APP applications for those that do not need to carry one – One solution for all of your needs.

Question 8

What sets your pagers apart from other on the market?

Accepted Answer

This is simple – Quality and options. Our pagers have gain a reputation for being some of the most ruggedised devices in the market. Being placed in some of the most heavily used and hostile environment, which has proven that our pagers can not only withstand the task of time but also saves organisations money on spares and repairs. Also, our optional add-ons such, as feedback to enable two way and hybrid alerting over mobile and WIFI systems, has enabled organisations to future proof their investments.

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