Convergence – Mobile radio and smartphones

There has been talk on how far cellular technology will eat into traditional mobile radio markets. It is another area of convergence.

One of the issues is the one-to-one communication and consumer grade devices of public cellular networks verses the one-to-many communications and robustness of mobile radio networks.

While some industries such as Emergency Services may not want to move to cellular, some might. Some corporate users may want to communicate with users on the mobile radio network.

A few smartphone applications are now providing an instant, push-to-talk (PTT), one-to-one and one-to-many call capability. Communications become more scalable and collaboration more effective. Smartphones can provide access to the radio network when out of range and radio conversations, not previously accessible with a cellular phone, can be joined by users on their smartphone. Smartphones can provide access to senior decision makers in organising and managing teams, and assisting in compliance and safety management.

Smartphone applications may not replace mobile radios but they certainly provide some interesting options for organisations using mobile radio