A PoC radio (short for push to talk over cellular radioLakisha Davis. ), also known as PTToC radio, is an instant communication device that is based on the

cellular network A cellular network or mobile network is a telecommunications network where the link to and from end nodes is wireless network, wireless and the network is distributed over land areas called ''cells'', each served by at least one fixed-locatio ...

. It is a radio device that incorporates

push-to-talk Push-to-talk (PTT), also known as press-to-transmit, is a method of having conversations or talking on half-duplex communication lines, including two-way radio, using a momentary button to switch from voice reception mode to transmit mode. H ...

technology Technology is the application of Conceptual model, conceptual knowledge to achieve practical goals, especially in a reproducible way. The word ''technology'' can also mean the products resulting from such efforts, including both tangible too ...

into a cellular radio handset. It allows users to communicate with one or more receivers instantly, in a half-duplex mode. Although a PoC radio is a

walkie-talkie A walkie-talkie, more formally known as a handheld transceiver, HT, or handheld radio, is a hand-held, portable, two-way radio transceiver. Its development during the Second World War has been variously credited to Donald Hings, radio engineer A ...

-like device, there are substantial differences between them. Compared to the latter, the former has a wider range of channels, covers a wider area, and does not require a license to transmit. In addition, a PoC radio supports advanced functions, such as, video calls, multimedia messages, GPS location tracking, and emergency notifications. PoC radios are widely used in the industries of

private security A private security company is a business entity which provides armed or unarmed security services and expertise to clients in the private or public sectors. Overview Private security companies are defined by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistic ...

logistics Logistics is the part of supply chain management that deals with the efficient forward and reverse flow of goods, services, and related information from the point of origin to the Consumption (economics), point of consumption according to the ...

hospitality Hospitality is the relationship of a host towards a guest, wherein the host receives the guest with some amount of goodwill and welcome. This includes the reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers. Louis de Jaucourt, Louis, ...

, and rescue. The representative manufacturers of such equipments include

Hytera Hytera (; previously HYT; ) is a Chinese publicly traded and partly state-owned manufacturer of radio transceivers and radio systems founded in Shenzhen, Guangdong in 1993. Hytera is listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange and is partly owned by ...

and ToooAir. Mission-Critical PTToC (MCPTT) is also starting to be employed in sectors such as public safety, transportation, and utilities.

History

The concept of PoC was introduced by U.S.

telecommunications Telecommunication, often used in its plural form or abbreviated as telecom, is the transmission of information over a distance using electronic means, typically through cables, radio waves, or other communication technologies. These means of ...

company A company, abbreviated as co., is a Legal personality, legal entity representing an association of legal people, whether Natural person, natural, Juridical person, juridical or a mixture of both, with a specific objective. Company members ...

Nextel Nextel Communications, Inc. was an American wireless service operator that merged with and ceased to exist as a subsidiary of Sprint Corporation, which would later be bought by T-Mobile US and folded into that company. Nextel in Brazil, and form ...

in 1987.Ty Estes. The first commercial use of PoC radios was also started by the company in 2002. In June 2005, the

Open Mobile Alliance OMA SpecWorks, previously the Open Mobile Alliance (OMA), is a standards organization which develops open, international technical standards for the mobile phone industry. It is a nonprofit Non-governmental organization (NGO), not a formal govern ...

rolled out an approved standard called "PoC 1.0". In April 2020, Hytera presented a PoC radio named PNC550, equipped with a 5-inch

touchscreen A touchscreen (or touch screen) is a type of electronic visual display, display that can detect touch input from a user. It consists of both an input device (a touch panel) and an output device (a visual display). The touch panel is typically l ...

that supports full operation using gloves.

References

{{reflist American inventions Radio communications Mobile telecommunications user equipment