When you need to share vital data quickly and without delay, push-to-talk is a long-used and effective form of communication. Used in many high-stress professions and those where time is critical, traditional PTT communication makes use of radio waves and specific cellular networks such as iDen. As technology has improved, these older systems have been phased out for newer backends, such as smartphone push to talk and radio over IP.

There are many reasons these changes have occurred. Changes to cellular technology and general issues with existing radio communications have made alternative methods of PTT communications more popular. Smartphones and app-based PTT offered far more accessible communication technology that was both affordable and had access to wide-reaching and ever-improving cellular technology. IP-based communication has seen wider use for traditional phones with VOIP both in homes and in the workplace. This is also true for communication that is based on radio waves such as push-to-talk.

The Advantages of Modern Push-To-Talk Technology

Push-to-talk offers several advantages on the job site and in professions where communication is of the utmost importance. While smartphones offer the ability to make traditional phone calls, push-to-talk is a quick and effective form of communication that allows fast communication and sharing of information when time is important. Some of the benefits of push-to-talk include the following features.

1. Long-Distance: many industries make use of communication, such as two-way radios for communication. However, a downside of traditional radio communication is that it can have a short range and encounter interference. Smartphone-based PTT makes use of wide-reaching cellular networks, giving you a greater distance in terms of communication.  

2. Less Expensive: smartphone PTT is far more economical than traditional radio systems. You save on overhead by not having to install a wide amount of infrastructure due to existing communication networks. In addition, PTT apps can communicate across a wide range of smartphone brands and models. Unlike traditional two-way radios, which can have comparability issues, and limit the types of hardware and models you can use.

3. Sound Quality: smartphone PTT applications cut down on distortion and help ensure that your messages are communicated clearly and are easily understood. A common complaint with old-fashioned radio PTT is how scratchy and distorted the sound quality can be. Smartphone PTT uses modern cellular networks to help improve the sound of your communication.

4. Quick Communication: in mission-critical situations, you need fast and efficient communication. PTT is fast, allowing you to quickly share information with a tap and keeping everyone who needs to know informed. In high-stress and emergencies, calls and texting are not ideal, and the delays can use up time you do not have.

5. Security Features: the use of app-based PTT and IP or cellular networks makes increased security easier than ever. Communication across these applications and networks is often encrypted, automatically making sure your communication is secure. Additional safety features and security are also able to be implemented if needed.

6. Set-Up and Scalability: setting up a smartphone or IP-based PTT system is a far less involved process than older methods. With fewer parts and a faster turn-around time, you can have an efficient system running and equipment issued to those who need it in a relatively short timeframe. Also, when you need to add more devices to your system, the wide range of compatible hardware (smartphones) and ease of setup make this process easy.

Final Thoughts

When push-to-talk is a common method of communication in your industry, you need a dependable system that is both affordable and easy to manage. Using Internet and smartphone-based solutions, you allow your employees and management to stay in touch with each other and share information and updates that are vital to safe and effective operations.