Push to talk over cellular (PTToC or PoC) devices are fast becoming a must have business communication device for a lot of companies worldwide. Businesses of all sizes are starting to notice the added benefit of upgrading from traditional digital (or even older analogue) communications to using more modern and accessible mobile data networks in order to reduce costs and increase effective communication.

PoC solutions enable you to combine advanced smartphone technology with many two-way radio features over 3G, 4G, or WiFi networks. Utilising mobile networks to create and support a worldwide radio network on top of the existing cellularly network of mobile operators, provides a robust global coverage with unlimited possibilities.

PoC is especially beneficial to organisations that need to communicate widely across dispersed sites or with mobile workforces nationwide. It is also a particularly cost-effective solution for smaller businesses that do not want to invest in creating their own infrastructure and would rather implement across already existing cellular networks.

Why is PoC becoming more popular and who with?

Public Safety & Security / Property Management / Energy & Utilities / Manufacturing / Transportation & Logistics / Municipal management / Construction / Travel & Hospitality.

The PoC market is growing fast, driven by global adoption of IoT (Internet of things) and the increase in mobile or remote workforces. The market is currently shared by public safety and security, construction, manufacturing, energy and utilities and logistics industries to name a few with the market size expected to increase at Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 9.7% according to Persistence market research.

PoC is most popular with organisations and businesses that need to communicate widely across multiple sites or who have a lot of remote or mobile workers scattered across the nation. These are companies with large vehicle fleets or multiple site locations that do not want to invest large amounts of capital in installing infrastructure to support wide area radio networks.

PoC vs Traditional Two Way Radio:
The more traditional Two Way Radios that have been used as a robust business communication solution by companies for many years can be limited by range and number of devices supported on one signal. However, that’s not to say PoC is a suitable upgrade in every instance.

There are many business benefits of using two way radios:

  • Instant connection on a closed network
  • No monthly contract or credit required
  • A robust build means they are hard to damage or break and are more durable against water or dust than some other communication devices.
  • Operates on a private network, with security features such as encryption to help prevent eavesdropping.


The Downsides of Traditional Digital Radio

With conventional radios, communicating over a long distance is very difficult, especially with large blockers such as buildings. The reliability of this method of communication heavily relies upon extensive investment in infrastructure such as repeaters, power supplies, antennas and holding the correct spectrum license.

PoC does not require such infrastructure investment as it leverages existing networks, providing instant communication. A PoC solution can even be integrated with existing radio communications to create a hybrid solution by connecting existing radios with PoC devices.

What are the main features of PoC Radio?

Push To Talk to individuals & Groups - PoC technology allows users to make an individual one to one call or one to many to different groups at the same time. Allowing a broadcast message to whole teams with one press of a button on an enabled handset allowing communication to one or many instantly.

GPS Location Tracking – Some PoC devices enabled with GPS tracking ability can provide location tracking via dispatcher – an essential tool for managing scheduling and any remote working teams. PoC can also alert relevant stakeholders if employees stray outside of business areas marked by geo fencing.

Safety Features – PoC has safety features such as Man Down, Lone Worker and Emergency Buttons to ensure that employees working independently or in high risk situations are protected.

Robust Design – Perfect for hard wearing environments, including dust, water and being dropped on site, ensuring that employees stay connected no matter what.

PoC Benefits:

Low start up costs
The traditional two-way radios require you to invest in expensive pieces of equipment. However, POC can be used with specific devices or with mobile phone apps on android or IOS phones, which can save you a lot of money.

No infrastructure Installation Required
Customers who wish to implement PoC business communications can do so without requiring the purchase, operate or maintain any infrastructure

Worldwide coverage 
PoC utilises the global 3G/4G (soon 5G) LTE and WLAN network to provide a secure, instant and global communications network solution to leverage businesses to communicate freely and support today’s mobile workforce, enabling workers to connect nationwide and without limitation.

Instant & Long-distance communication
With traditional radio solutions, long distance communication can be very limited due to the need to use equipment such as repeaters to extend radio coverage. However with the use of PoC technology, users can communicate not only nationwide but also internationally if need be.

Why are businesses implementing PoC instead of using their employee mobiles?

Employees can use their own mobile phones or business allocated mobile phones to carry out many communications. It can be easy for businesses to rely on mobile phone communication as most people understand mobile phones, and use them in their day-to-day lives.

However, providing your workforce with a dedicated PoC radio device ensures that employees only use their device for work related communications, whilst also providing a more robust device designed to withstand construction or busy work sites.

Advantages of PoC Drawbacks of Mobile Phones
Large Push to Talk button for instant group calls. No instant group calling, requires dialling phone numbers, waiting for it to call etc.
2W audio power and noise cancellation for loud sites. 5-1W audio power – not ideal for noisy sites
Reliable and durable You can only talk to one person at a time
Single one to one communication or one to many. Easily Damaged if dropped
One touch emergency alarm Distractions from other apps or media.
Singular use with no distraction Typically less robust

Implementing PoC devices across your workforce can not only save on initial and ongoing business costs, but it will also guarantee that your employees are connected via a strong and dependable network for their protection. Easily installed for instant group or one to one communications at a low cost and suitable for a range of industry types.

Foresolutions is a trusted provider of high quality and reliable PoC solutions as well traditional two-way radios. Our team can complete on site assessments to help find the best, most suitable solution for your business requirements.