For approximately the last 70 years, two-way radios have been a proven, go-to solution for professional business and government teams needing instant, business-critical, team communication, without personal distractions.
Whilst commercial UHF radio technology is renowned for offering virtual bulletproof reliability, low cost and connectivity over (relatively) short distances, its users can, however, face a number of challenges presented by the physical properties of the radio waves (RF), when attempting to scale up their operations. These limitations are chiefly of radio coverage and capacity in large systems.
This article explores how Push-To-Talk Over Cellular (PTToC) technology / POC radios not only overcome these challenges faced by UHF radio users but also enable professional teams to operationally achieve what could not be accomplished with a UHF radio system alone.
The Limitations of UHF Radio Trunking Networks
For professional radio users who need more coverage or capacity with their UHF radio system, radio manufacturers have historically attempted to overcome these challenges by having their customers install costly, on-site repeater systems to extend their radio communication coverage. Teams needing more channel capacity or radio coverage over a large site, or wide area, have had to further consider installing their own trunking repeater system, or subscribe to a 3rd party, radio trunking network provider.
The cost and complexity of installing and maintaining a private radio trunking system are usually cost-prohibitive for an SME attempting to scale up its operations. Building a private trunking repeater system is a costly, high-maintenance project for the larger enterprise that has the financial capacity to take this on. To give you a glimpse into an initial idea of cost, the installation of a "leaky feed" antenna system deployed into the elevator shaft of a 20-story hotel building can cost in excess of $100K. Again, this is only for the antenna system.
A subscription to a third-party managed, UHF / VHF radio trunking network, whilst taking away the large capital expense for a company contending to build their own trunking system, usually only provides partial, outdoor portable radio coverage. Coverage can depend on how the user wears the radio on their body, and where the user is located in relation to the repeater antenna tower. Trunking networks nevertheless are renowned for providing patchy, if not, non-existent coverage in indoor environments, making them impractical for most commercial business operations.
With the evolution of cellular networks maturing for high-bandwidth data exchange over the last 20 years, this has opened an opportunity for radio manufacturers to finally be able to offer business teams, the simplicity of a two-way radio system with the coverage and capabilities of a smart mobile phone.
Enter Push-to-Talk Over Cellular (PTToC)
PTToC technology, also known as "POC radios", are revolutionising how businesses communicate, offering the best of push-to-talk radio and cellular technology. They provides the instant, one-to-many communication of a traditional radio system but leverage the power of 4G LTE / 5G networks to eliminate range limitations, enhance safety with increased capabilities (such as GPS & Emergency Alerts), and allowing teams to have many individual & talk group channels, without the associated complicated ACMA licensing issues associated with repeater systems.
PTToC / POC radios empower your team to stay connected, instantly via the press of the Push-To-Talk (PTT) button whether they're across a large on-site building complex, such as a university campus or shopping mall, a fleet of vehicles travelling across a large city like Melbourne or Sydney, or multiple mining projects across different states from Western Australia to Queensland.
PTToC / POC radios mitigate the personal distractions of a mobile phone such as personal calls, social media push notifications, dating apps & personal chat apps. PTToC radio systems maximise business performance and efficiency with all of the flexible power that 4G LTE & 5G data networks enable.
For businesses looking to enhance their communication capabilities, PTToC offers a range of benefits, including:
- Nationwide Coverage: Communicate with your team wherever there's cellular coverage. With Telstra 4G coverage today connecting virtually all the Australian population, your team can stay instantly connected across indoor & outdoor business environments.
- Channel Capacity: Add as many channels, or "talk groups" as you need without being limited by ACMA licensing & managing different frequencies across your equipment. Make individual calls to individual radios without limitations.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Mitigate the need for expensive radio infrastructure like repeaters and antenna towers.
- Scalability: Easily add new users and devices as your business grows. Turn radios on/off remotely.
- Enhanced Features: Benefit from features like GPS tracking, emergency alerts, and integration with other business applications, and ROIP.
- Crystal-Clear Audio: Enjoy clear, digital audio quality, even in noisy environments.
With various PTToC radio system available in the Australian market, choosing the right one depends on your specific business operational needs. Below are some of the different approaches to PTToC and the devices that can connect your team via 4G / 5G. The main contenders in Australia for business and government teams are offered by Icom, Motorola, Hytera and Sonim.
Dedicated PTToC Devices: Simple, Durable, and Efficient
For professional user teams that need a straightforward, rugged, and easy-to-use communication device, the following dedicated PTToC / POC radios are an excellent choice. These devices are purpose-built for communication, that minimise personal distractions and maximise business efficiency. On the outside they look like ordinary two way radios, but under the surface, they unleash the power of cellular 4G / 5G connectivity.
-
Icom IP503H LITE | Multi-Carrier LTE Two-Way Radio: The Icom IP503H LITE is a compact and lightweight PTToC radio that offers instantaneous communication over a multi-carrier LTE network. The IP503H LITE detects the strongest cellular connection, ensuring you stay connected wherever you are in Australia across Telstra, Optus or Vodafone. Icom's world-class "Made in Japan" manufacturing, ensures the 4G LTE radios are built reliably to withstand the harshest of environments. This device is ideal for industries like logistics, construction, security, university campuses, and event management, where clear and reliable wide-area communication is crucial.
-
Motorola TLK 110 Two-Way Radio: The Motorola TLK 110, powered by Motorola's innovative Wave PTX ecosystem, combines the broad coverage of a nationwide cellular network with the simplicity of a two-way radio. With AI-backed noise suppression, it delivers clear audio even in the loudest environments. Its long battery life, IP67 rating, and emergency features like Lone Worker and Man Down/Fall Alert make it an advanced choice for industries such as security, manufacturing, and transportation.
Hybrid UHF / LTE Radio Solutions: The Best of Both Worlds
Hybrid devices go one step further combining legacy, bullet proof reliability of UHF radio connectivity, along with with PTToC offering the ultimate flexibility and reliability.
-
Icom IP-740D UHF / LTE Hybrid Two Way Radio: The Icom IP-740D is a game-changer for business & government teams that need seamless communication in any situation. This hybrid UHF / LTE radio provides nationwide coverage over an 4G LTE network and can also communicate on conventional UHF digital and analog channels. With its "Bridge" function, it can even relay UHF radio traffic over the LTE network and vice versa. This makes it the perfect solution for businesses with operations that span from remote areas with no cellular service to urban environments with excellent coverage. This is arguably one of the most powerful radio platform available in Australia, backed by Icom's LTE Connect, interoperable ecosystem.
Rugged Smartphones with PTToC: The All-in-One Solution
For a mobile powered workforce, carrying multiple devices can be cumbersome. A rugged smartphone with an integrated PTToC application offers a single-device solution for communication, data access, barcode scanning and more.
-
Sonim XP10 Rugged 5G Smartphone | Push-to-Talk Over Cellular: The Sonim XP10 is more than just a phone; it's a workhorse. This ultra-rugged 5G smartphone is built to withstand the toughest environments, with IP68/IP69K ratings and a MIL-STD-810H certification. It features an oversized Push-to-Talk button on the side of the device, for instant communication and extra-loud speakers with noise cancellation. With the Sonim XP10, your team can communicate, access critical business apps, and stay connected on a single, durable device. This is the ideal solution for mobile workers who need the functionality of a smartphone and the instant communication of a PTT radio device. Lastly, business managers can control which applications are installed on their Sonim phone fleet, making the device the premium choice for business teams needing Push-To-Talk communication, with the flexibility of a smart business phone, without any of the distractions a BYOD policy invite in the workplace.
Choosing the Right PTToC Solution for Your Business
With so many options, how do you choose the right PTToC solution for your business? Consider the following factors:
- Coverage: Do you need expansive coverage beyond the reach of UHF radios?
- Durability: What are the working conditions of your team? Do they need a device that can withstand equipment bumps and bruises, rain, dust?
- Features: Do you need features like GPS tracking, emergency alerts, or the ability to run other applications on the same device?
- Ease of Use: How important is it for the device to be simple and intuitive for your team to use?
- Interoperability: Do you need your POC radio to connect to legacy UHF radio systems? Do you need to future proof your communications system to connect to systems such as StarLink? Is ROIP a consideration for your team?
Connected Everywhere
Push-to-Talk over Cellular technology has been transforming radio communication for over 10 years, offering a powerful platform for teams that need to scale in size without any limitations of channels, capabilities or coverage.
In summary, by choosing the right PTToC / POC radio device, you can empower your team with instant, reliable, and wide-area communication, improving efficiency, safety, and overall productivity.
To explore how PTToC can benefit your business operation, contact the experts at Radio Warehouse. We can help you find the right solution to keep your team connected, no matter your operation's purpose or location.
Your Mission Is Our Passion ®
