Is digital two-way radio obsolete?
In 2007, Motorola launched their new MotoTRBO digital two-way radios. At their heart, they use the DMR digital radio open standard, which has become the industry standard for commercial digital two-way radio. Since then, digital radios offer more features, better audio quality across the coverage area (but worse audio compared to a good analogue signal), and can do things such as telemetry, messaging, GPS, etc. better and more easily than an analogue radio could.
But what if you need to do more with your radio? What if you could use it for job dispatch, indoor tracking and navigation, email, time recording, picture messaging, displaying location and navigating to a certain colleague, and more? What if you could upgrade to keep up with technology and make changes or turn on features at any time for no extra cost?
Smartphones are essentially tiny computers in your pocket. With the right phone, a remote speaker microphone, and the right software, they can do everything a radio can do plus more. We call this PTT (Push-to-talk) over cellular or PoC. Instant and reliable group or 1-1 calls? Easy. Location services? Naturally. Mission-critical reliability? Telstra LANES, private LTE or properly built wifi mesh. Ruggedness for LNG/mining/oil and gas industries? Of course. Cheap accessories? Lots. Long warranty? Up to three years.
The choice in Android smartphones for business use is mind-boggling. There is a device to suit every need. An Android device is essentially a small computer that can do everything a two-way radio can but without limitations. In this respect, digital two-way radio has already been superseded.
- Shopping centers can combine indoor tracking, voice communications job dispatch duress safety all into one device which is covert light optionally use Bluetooth headset surveillance air-tube.
- Mine sites can use ultra-rugged intrinsically safe device with built-in PTT button take advantage of enhanced safety features via Bluetooth NFC SOS buttons man-down sensors priority emergency broadcasts.
- Vehicle operators enjoy flexibility of Bluetooth microphone walk outside vehicle still be in touch simplicity of wired microphone along with extra features navigation job dispatch either way using unit fixed in their vehicle.
Upgrading from analogue? Don’t get stuck with old technology skip digital radio really upgrade looking for integrate cellular PTT system current radios see advantages need better coverage look no further.
Ten years into the digital radio revolution PTT over