For 2020 Wall to Wall Comms is launching some exciting new products on the website! One of the first launches of the year is POC radios. With over 40 years of experience in two way radios, we like to think of ourselves as ‘radio people’. Whilst POC technology has been around for a while, the latest advancements in POC technology has made them another reliable option when choosing a radio.
What is POC technology?
POC stands for P.T.T Technology over Cellular. POC is essentially a two way radio that uses the mobile phone data network to communicate, instead of the traditional radio waves.
Is POC a new technology?
Despite POC only recently rising in popularity, the technology has been around for a number of years. When POC technology originally came about, mobile data was still working on a 2G network. This was slow and unreliable and meant that radios using the POC technology were being outdone by the two way radios using traditional radio signals. However, with the mobile data network progressing to 3G, 4G and 5G, POC technology radios have become more reliable and faster than ever.
Why choose POC radios over traditional two way radios?
There are two main advantages of POC radios:
Virtually unlimited range: Where traditional radios are limited to a range of a few miles. POC technology is only limited to where there is mobile data or a WIFI signal. Instead of relying on the assistance of antennas to communicate over long but limited distances, your team will have no limits to their communication.
Exemption from OFCOM licensing requirements: As there is a limited spectrum of radio frequencies, users of traditional radios require a licence from OFCOM. However, if your business is based in a densely populated area with many other businesses using radio frequencies, an OFCOM licence can be hard to obtain. With POC radios, an OFCOM licence is not needed.
Who does Wall to Wall recommend POC radios to?
Any business can benefit from the use of POC radios. POC radios are fast, reliable and of similar cost to traditional radios. However, with the range of POC radios being only limited to where there is mobile data network or a WIFI signal, businesses that span a wide area or travel over long distances can particularly benefit from their use. For example, taxi companies, couriers or any company with multiple sites across the country. Additionally, any business that is situated in a densely populated area such as London or Edinburgh where radio frequencies are in high demand, the use of POC radios can eliminate the hassle of obtaining an OFCOM licence or risk of interfering radio signals.
Wall to Wall Comms POC radios
Browse through our selection of POC radios that include the [list of POC radios here]. With a wide selection of radios, we have the perfect one for you. At Wall to Wall we also go above and beyond, buying your POC radios through us comes with a range of benefits including repair and maintenance, radio hire whilst your radios are being repaired and expert advice.
With so many two way radios rentals options on the market it can be difficult to know which radio rental to choose with advantages and disadvantages of each. There are Digital Radios, Analogue Radios, ATEX Radios and more recently POC Radios.
At Wall to Wall Communications we have been providing two way radio rental in the UK for over 40 years. Because of this we like to think of ourselves as ‘radio experts’. If you and your business are thinking about hiring walkie talkies to enhance the levels of communication between workers, then do not hesitate to contact us to speak to one of our experts.
So, what are the benefits of each radio?
Analogue radios
Analogue radios are the original form of radios, dating back to the beginning of the 19th century and is arguably the most common form of radio system. However, with advancements in digital radio this is declining, but they still very much have their uses. Analogue radios offer the basic and simplest form of wireless communication, typically just having a push-to-talk button, limited encryption options, scanning and one-to-one or group conversations. One of the main benefits of analogue radio rental is that they are simple to use and affordable to rent. This makes analogue radios ideal for smaller businesses.
Digital radios
Digital radios represent the advancements in two way radio communication, with most digital radio rentals offering the same features as analogue, just with added optional features. If your business requires signal across a wider range, digital radios offer a more reliable and consistent form of communication. In addition to this digital radios have the ability to distinguish between voices and background noise which makes communicating messages much clearer, perfect if you are working in a noisy environment. Other benefits include multiple channels, text messaging, reduced bandwidth consumption, compatible with new software applications and the ability to utilise digital and analogue simultaneously.
ATEX radios
An ATEX radio is a two way communication solution your business has been looking for if there is a risk of explosions on the premises. An ATEX radio rental is specially designed to safeguard employees around high risk substances such as gas, oils, chemicals or mines. Our ATEX radio rentals are produced to an extremely high standard that eliminates the risk of the radio producing any heat or spark that could ignite an explosion. ATEX radios are also waterproof, dust proof and function at a very low power output which keeps their temperature low. So even if your business is functioning in a high risk environment you can still optimise your communication to increase efficiency, security and safety with two way radios from Wall to Wall Communications.
POC radios
POC stands for Push To Talk Over Cellular. This effectively means that these radios use mobile signals to send and receive voice messages instead of the traditional radio waves. While this technology has been around for many years, in the past it was relying on the much slower 2G and 3G network which wasn’t very reliable and didn’t offer complete coverage. However, with the advancements of the mobile network to 4G and 5G, POC radios are rising in popularity.
So why choose POC radios over ‘traditional’ radios? One of the main advantages of POC radio rentals is that they do not need an OFCOM licence. This makes POC radio popular amongst companies located in densely populated areas where an OFCOM licence is hard to obtain. The other main advantage is that POC radio rentals have an unlimited range, as long as there is mobile signal or wifi. This makes POC radios particularly popular with businesses that travel throughout the UK such as couriers, taxis and delivery companies.
At Wall to Wall Communications we know how important it is to you that your business runs smoothly, efficiently and at optimum levels of safety. Taking the step to implement two way radios has never been more logical with the latest technology allowing you to truly customise their features. This has meant that two way radios are able to enhance the running of several industries including; construction, events, security, education, hospitality leisure, auction houses, transportation logistics, retailers, film production, banks and hospitals to name a few. With multiple options available, a two way radio can improve the running of your business in several different ways. If you would like to find out how your two way radio can be tailored to help you and your business, keep reading…
Specialised Features
Noise Cancelling
One of the main concerns companies have about using two way radios is noise interference. This is a particular concern for industries such as events, festivals, family attractions and anywhere else there may be loud noises. However, two way radios can now feature noise cancelling abilities which allow voice messages to be sent and received clearly and without interruption. This allows for communication to continue despite the surrounding situation, and for safety and security to be maintained, even in potentially loud emergency situations.
Discrete communication
If your business is dealing with the public and requires discrete communication, Wall to Wall Communications can provide radios that are compatible with earpieces and audio adapters to ensure you and your colleagues can communicate privately.
Man down
The man down function is another quick and effective way of alerting other workers when there is a risk to the safety of the user. This specialised feature will send an alarm to the base station if the radio either remains stationary for too long, the holder is moving more than what is considered normal for the job or the radio user is positioned at an unusual angle for an extended period of time.
Lone Worker
If your business involves employees working on their own, during your consultation you can request a ‘man down’ function. At regular intervals the radio will send an alert which prompts the lone worker to respond by pressing a button if they are safe and well. If the radio alert is not responded to, this will send an alarm to the base station. To learn more about man down and lone worker function, you can read our blog post here.
GPS Tracking
Many radios are equipped with GPS and Bluetooth which can allow your business to track the real time location of your workers inside your premises and while working outside. A variety of software based systems are available to display this location data and create custom alerts for Man Down and Lone worker alerts allowing you to respond to worker emergencies.
Manager Override Function
Basic radios are a great solution for businesses who need quick and easy communication between staff. However, if you have a large business with multiple radio users there may be a situation where important messages get lost amongst other communications. This is where the manager override function shines. At Wall to Wall we can set a hierarchy or radios that allows important messages to be delivered to all radio users. This can be used for day-to-day delegation and in emergency situations.
Integrated Task Management Systems
With over 40 years of experience at Wall to Wall we were finding that some industries were experiencing difficulty in task management. Typically an employee will be given a set of tasks at the beginning of the work day and won’t be able to update management until the end of the day. With Wall to Wall’s integrated task management systems, radio users are able to send an alert to the controller once a task is complete, allowing the controller to respond and delegate tasks quickly and efficiently. Learn more about how this specialised function can help your business here.
Text Messaging
Text messaging can provide even more discrete and efficient forms of communication alongside radioing. Wall to Wall can set you and your business up with preset text messages that can be sent at the touch of a button. Text messaging is also a function available with Trackitt that allows for communication to be recorded, particularly useful for training and monitoring purposes.
Caller ID
Caller ID allows for radio communication receivers to identify the radioer sending the messages. This allows for efficient communication and is particularly useful when used in emergency and time sensitive situations.
Panic/Emergency Call Functions
Similar to the lone worker and man down functions, the panic button/emergency call function allows for radio users to communicate an emergency to other radio users at the touch of a button. Radios with this specialised function are typically set up with GPS tracking and Caller ID to ensure as much information is communicated in an emergency situation at the touch of a button.
Automated Radio Alarm
Automated radio alarms can be set up to trigger alarms at particular situations. For example, if a fire alarm or an intruder alarm is activated, all radio users will be notified. This will allow for your business to run more smoothly and for faster responses when needed. Read more about how Wall to Wall’s alarm connectivity can help your business here.
At Wall to Wall Communications we have been working with two way radios for over 40 years. During our time working with two way radios we have found that one of the most frequent questions we get is ‘how do I boost my two way radio signal?. Getting a radio signal that is reliable, efficient, can penetrate obstacles and can still send clear messages to other radio users far away can seem hard to obtain. We also know that having good radio signal is imperative to the running of your business. Not only does reliable communication boost efficiency and productivity, but also safety and security as well. This is why we have written a guide to help you find the right solution for your two way radio problem, including leaky feeders, POC technology, installing an antenna or simply changing the battery.
Change Battery
At Wall to Wall we recommend that you scrap your old radio battery every 18-24 months and replace it with a new one. This will be the first thing to check if you are experiencing poor signal coverage. If you have not replaced your two way radio battery over a longer period than this, you can experience poor coverage, conversations being cut short mid-transmission and unclear communication. By using a radio with a battery that isn’t fully charged, the power rapidly decreases, inhibiting its ability to send and receive radio signals.
Leaky Feeder
If you and your business are experiencing issues with your radio signal reaching areas that are located along shafts, tunnels or underground, a leaky feeder cable will give you the signal boost you’ve been looking for. A leaky feeder is a cable that, unlike a normal feeder cable, is designed to ‘leak’ signal out in a controlled manner as well as allowing signal to penetrate the cable as well. A leaky feeder allows signal to reach areas where it would not have otherwise reached, effectively behaving like a long antenna for radios.
Repeaters
Radio signals can in fact travel around obstacles and through them, but this does however drastically affect the strength of the radio signal. If you are finding that you and your employees are dropping out of signal range when straying too far afield, or perhaps your business is located in a built up area, it may be time to install a repeater. A repeater essentially receives radio signals and re-transmits or ‘repeats’ them, giving your radios the power to reach a wider range. A repeater usually instals their antennas in a high and central location to bypass tall buildings and hilly landscapes. This will give your radio signals a clear and powerful boost.
POC Technology
If you and your business require a communication method that reaches a long distance, perhaps spanning the country, installing multiple leaky feeders and antennas can be costly and may still not achieve the coverage you need. In these instances, for businesses such as couriers, taxis and transportation, switching to a POC (Push To Talk Over Cellular) radio may be the solution you have been looking for.
Instead of communicating using radio waves, a POC radio instead utilised the mobile data network (3G, 4G, 5G) and WIFI signal to send and receive messages. Now that the mobile data network has become faster and more reliable than ever, POC radios have risen in popularity. This is mainly due to the fact that users of these radios are not limited to staying within a particular signal range, but instead have the freedom to communicate wherever there is mobile data or WIFI signal. So if you are a business that is expanding and requires a boost to your signal range, POC technology might just be the answer you’ve been looking for.
At Wall to Wall we know that fast, clear and reliable communication is extremely important in the running of your business. Particularly when trying to communicate in a time sensitive or emergency situation, any interruption in relaying messages can have devastating effects. So what can you do if you are experiencing two way radio interference?
What is two way radio interference?
Two way radio interference is when users can hear any additional noises or other conversations whilst using the radio. Whilst hearing other conversations can lead you to being more well informed, unsolicited interruptions can be dangerous in an emergency situation, or just simply a nuisance! In addition to this, two way radio interference can go both ways, if you can hear other conversations over the radio, other radios can hear your conversation too. This can lead to confidential information being relayed to the wrong people. So, if you are a business that requires uninterrupted radio transmissions, then here are a few ways you can do this…
How can you stop two way radio interference?
Get an OFCOM licence
One of the main drawbacks of using unlicensed radios is that they share a frequency with other unlicensed radio users, this inevitably leads to two way radio interference. This issue is particularly prominent in built-up areas such as large cities where there are many competing radio users all trying to communicate at the same time. If you require a secure and uninterrupted frequency with no interference then you should seek to purchase a licence from the Office of Communication (OFCOM). OFCOM is in charge of enforcing, protecting and managing the radio spectrum. Once you have obtained a licensed radio, you will have clear and uninterrupted frequencies.
Use POC two way radios
Trying to obtain a licence from OFCOM is not always easy, especially in densely populated areas where many radio users are also trying to secure an uninterrupted radio frequency. POC technology however does not use radio waves to communicate and eliminates the need to obtain a license.
POC stands for PTT (Push to Talk) Over Cellular. Instead of using the traditional radio waves, the radios use the mobile data network (3G, 4G, 5G) or WIFI signal to communicate. This means there is no two way radio interference and no need for an OFCOM licence! Other benefits of POC technology include unlimited distance. Learn more by reading our How PTT Over Cellular (POC) Is Making New Waves blog post.
Noise cancelling function
If your two way radio interference isn’t coming from other radio users, but from surrounding noises, e.g. at a music festival, event or in busy areas, then there are ways Wall to Wall can help here too! When communicating with lots of background noises, messages can be hard to understand and cause difficulty in communication. This in turn can lead to inefficiency and even inhibit response time in emergency situations.
At Wall to Wall Communications we offer radios with noise cancelling functions that mean even in the noisiest situations, messages can be sent and received in a clear and understandable way by cancelling out background noises.
POC stands for PTT (Push To Talk) Over Cellular. This technology essentially allows a two way radio to use the mobile phone data network instead of radio waves. However, this is not a new technology and has been around for years. Where POC radios were previously relying on 2G and 3G mobile data networks, the technology was not advanced enough to deliver fast, clear and reliable voice communication. For this reason, POC never fully succeeded or dominated traditional two way radios.
Now with the advancements of the 4G data network and more recently the launch of 5G technology, PTT Over Cellular is becoming increasingly reliable. In the future, POC will likely replace traditional RF two way radios and for some businesses it’s already an appealing option.
What are the advantages of POC?
Virtually unlimited range: Traditional radios typically have a range of only a few miles and need the assistance of antennas to communicate further. However, with POC, as long as both of the handsets have mobile data or a WIFI signal, they will be able to communicate regardless of distance.This will allow you and your team the freedom to move freely without having to stay within the range of the radio signal. This can have the potential to expand your business without any limits and increase productivity.
Exemption from OFCOM licensing requirements: When working with traditional two way radios, to use of a radio frequency you need a license from OFCOM. When functioning in a dense urban environment, the demand for the limited spectrum of radio frequencies can be high. A benefit of POC is that they eliminate the need for an OFCOM licence before using. So if you are a business that functions in densely populated areas such as London or Edinburugh, POC could be a good option for you.
Who would benefit from POC technology?
Businesses that involve travelling would most benefit from POC technology. Where traditional two way radios have to be within range to communicate, POC radios can connect anywhere there is a mobile data signal or WIFI. As a result, businesses such as taxis, skip hire companies, couriers and haulage are ideal candidates. In addition to this, companies that span across multiple sites and across large areas would benefit from POC technology for the same reason. These can include security companies, retail firms with multiple outlets and industrial estates across the country.
Is it expensive?
In relative terms no. On average, the per handset cost is comparable with a traditional radio but there are some extra costs involved, namely the cost of data SIM package and a yearly service fee. However when compared to the high cost associated with installing repeater systems, POC can be a much less expensive option for users with large scale communication requirements.
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What is POC technology?
What is POC technology?
