Critical communications need to be available at all times, and that means wherever your workers are. In an increasingly connected world with rising demands for coverage, interoperability and connectivity, the ability to connect devices to multiple networks is becoming more and more important.
This blog is part of a series focusing on what factors you should consider when selecting a portable radio – you can find the other posts here.
Staying connected in as many places as possible directly impacts the safety of workers and efficiency of operations. However, as technology is constantly changing and improving, mission critical communication is no longer just about voice. To ensure you stay safe and connected, it’s crucial to consider the connectivity options of a portable radio.
Lets take a look at some key connectivity features you should look for in a portable radio.
RF Performance
High RF performance gives a radio extended range and high availability, as well as significantly increased resistance to interference, so it’s important to consider the RF performance of devices and network equipment. Aspects such as selectivity and sensitivity can maximize coverage and minimize interference so that you can make and receive calls in more places.
Analog and Digital Networks
Digital VS Analog radio on Tait Radio Academy
Portable radios can operate on a range of networks, and each of these have their strengths and weaknesses. Analog radios are more affordable, have more natural audio and no latency, but have very limited security and data capabilities, and low spectral efficiency.
Digital radio such as P25 and DMR offer more data capabilities, higher security and spectral efficiency, and options to filter out background noise and screen interference to the edge of coverage, improving audio quality over greater distances.
Multimode radios are capable of operating on both analog radio systems and digital networks, allowing interoperability and giving you the option to have different workgroups in different modes.
WiFi and LTE
While quality radio voice communications remain vital, they no longer meet every communication need. These days, many users demand a choice of devices to gain immediate access to information, and combining the strengths of bearers such as WiFi and LTE with your radio network greatly extends your connectivity options.
Integrating multiple bearers allows users to communicate over radio, cellular and WiFi networks, with intelligent software automatically detecting the best available bearer networks, even changing networks during a call if the original network ceased to work – ensuring you stay connected wherever you are.
Tait Portable Radio Connectivity Options
All Tait portable radios are multimode
Tait portables provide industry-leading RF performance, and all our radios are multimode and comply with open standards, ensuring interoperability with other vendors and organizations and the flexibility to work on either analog or digital networks.
Tait also offers hardware and software solutions to extend the connectivity of portable radios. Our Tait Unified Vehicle platform integrates LMR, WiFi, cellular, bluetooth, and more, enabling you to connect your portable radio through the strongest available network.
If you need a solution to connect smartphone users to your radio network, our Tait TeamPTT Push-To-Talk smartphone app enables you to do that. It connects radio, cellular and WiFi networks to provide seamless, instant communication over any available network so staff using radios and smart devices can participate in the same networks.
Download our Free Guide to Learn More
If you want to find out more about connectivity and other important factors to consider when choosing a portable radio, download our free Portable Radio Selection Guide.
