Licence-free tagging for UK

UK telecom regulator Ofcom has okayed the 865MHz to 868MHz range for RFID tags to be used in asset tracking and stock control, licence-free, reports PC Advisor.

Ofcom`s decision is in line with other countries in the world that have already allocated this range for RFID use and although still more restricted than in the US, European RFID systems vendors expect to get higher data rates eventually.

The ruling to abolish individual licensing, which has been a necessity in the past, should make RFID adoption much simpler and Ofcom believes the use of this RFID tracking will save UK businesses lb100 million to lb200 million over 10 years.

New legislation could now allow for easier and faster identification of lost pets, states RFID Journal.

Currently, pet RFID tags (called microchips) are not readable by all RFID readers used by vets and shelters, nor do they all work on the same frequency.

This new legislation will put into motion development for "universal reading ability", ensuring that any pet`s tag could be read anywhere through a national database making reunion between owner and pet as fast and effortless as possible.

According to CommsDesign, California-based Smart-tek Solutions plan to market RDIF as a means to contain avian flu.

Too many poultry farmers and bird-keepers have forged documents declaring them "bird-flu-free", in order to remain financially profitable, Smart-tek said.

Through the use of RFID monitoring and surveillance technology which can be used for tracking movement, providing owner information, identifying species and logging inspection dates, the company aims to help enforce proper record-keeping.

A new analysis done on how RFID luggage tracking can help airlines showed the concept is not agreeable to some, says Silicon.com.

The report, done by BearingPoint in conjunction with German airline Hapagfly, concluded no cost-savings for Hapagfly itself, but could bring about enough benefits for other airlines seeing that they mishandle sufficient amounts of luggage.

BearingPoint reported that an airline could only expect to see ROI within three years when the industry average of bags per 1 000 mishandled is used, meaning that the more bags an airline is likely to mishandle, the more likely they are to benefit.

Although the use of RFID for luggage tagging has proven long-term monetary benefits, the report stated: "Increasing passenger volumes most likely will increase the operating costs more than they will increase the benefits in the near future."

On a positive note however, two airways, namely Delta and British Airways, have already expressed interest.