Gulf region to test RFID technology
In a project coordinated by Qatar’s postal authority, Q-Post and two other neighbouring Posts are testing various RFID (radio frequency identification) technologies to measure quality of service in the Gulf region.
Since the beginning of March, operators have been measuring transmission times for letter post between Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, using RFID chips read remotely and without direct visual contact, by means of seven RFID readers or gates installed in mail processing centres.
The project aims to study the process for integrating and interconnecting two separate technologies via some “semi-active” and “passive” 4,000 chips concealed in test envelopes. The three-month project will provide specific information on the combined use of different technologies for the UPU’s global quality of service monitoring system. Eventually, this system will use RFID technology to measure the time taken by the destination country to forward incoming mail to the final delivery point. This will enable a link to be established between quality of service and the rate of remuneration of the destination countries for the mail.
At the Postal Operations Council in January, the Quality of Service Project Group decided to go ahead with this system and to focus on the interoperability of different technologies. Various standards will be defined this year, and the global monitoring system will enter its first pilot phase in 2009. It will then be extended to all UPU member countries. As well as being a helpful tool for calculating terminal dues, this system could be used by operators to improve mail flows.
In a project coordinated by Qatar’s postal authority, Q-Post and two other neighbouring Posts are testing various RFID (radio frequency identification) technologies to measure quality of service in the Gulf region.
Since the beginning of March, operators have been measuring transmission times for letter post between Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, using RFID chips read remotely and without direct visual contact, by means of seven RFID readers or gates installed in mail processing centres.
The project aims to study the process for integrating and interconnecting two separate technologies via some “semi-active” and “passive” 4,000 chips concealed in test envelopes. The three-month project will provide specific information on the combined use of different technologies for the UPU’s global quality of service monitoring system. Eventually, this system will use RFID technology to measure the time taken by the destination country to forward incoming mail to the final delivery point. This will enable a link to be established between quality of service and the rate of remuneration of the destination countries for the mail.
At the Postal Operations Council in January, the Quality of Service Project Group decided to go ahead with this system and to focus on the interoperability of different technologies. Various standards will be defined this year, and the global monitoring system will enter its first pilot phase in 2009. It will then be extended to all UPU member countries. As well as being a helpful tool for calculating terminal dues, this system could be used by operators to improve mail flows.
