2way Radio + GSM combo

[abjater]

Greetings fellow forumites,

Am looking for something that I dont know the name of, or if its indeed available in South Africa yet.

It's a 2way radio, the normal kinda handheld or in-vehicle device, that you can talk from person A to person B. But when person A and B is not within normal 2way radio coverage/range, the device has the option to switch to GSM network packet data and use that as medium to transmit voice via its 3G/HSDPA connection.

Was told about such kind of devices in the US, my initial take on it was its radio trunking, but seemingly the handheld radio unit has a cellular network SIM card in.

Any information in the collective on such kind of devices?

 

[D3athD00r]

MTN has something like that. I've seen cash in transit guys using them. It looks like a cellphone, but works like a 2 way radio.

My guess is they pay premium for that service.

 

[pezulu]

The SAPS use a Motorola 2-way radio that has a GSM SIM as well.

 

[Xino_sam]

A year or two ago, Vodacom & MTN, possibly Telkom Mobile have a few lower end handsets which is compatible with Push To Talk Services (PTT), some charge do charge it as a VAS others don't, follow up with your Service provider if they still offer the service.

 

[DJ...]

Or depending on your usage case you could use a two way radio app on a smartphone?

 

[abjater]

Any ideas perhaps on distributors and models?

 

[ost]

Push to talk over cellular is available from MTN. You have to go through a service provider called instacom iirc.

Only use a few specific phones but think they have an android smartphone option as well. As long as you have a data signal even Edge you can PTT with anyone in your group. No matter their location in the country

 

[Park@82]

Or depending on your usage case you could use a two way radio app on a smartphone?

This. Have a look at Zello.

 

[seanmvr]

SYSTEM

Greetings fellow forumites,

Am looking for something that I dont know the name of, or if its indeed available in South Africa yet.

It's a 2way radio, the normal kinda handheld or in-vehicle device, that you can talk from person A to person B. But when person A and B is not within normal 2way radio coverage/range, the device has the option to switch to GSM network packet data and use that as medium to transmit voice via its 3G/HSDPA connection.

Was told about such kind of devices in the US, my initial take on it was its radio trunking, but seemingly the handheld radio unit has a cellular network SIM card in.

Any information in the collective on such kind of devices?

There are the iTalk system http://www.italkptt.com/ and the HALO system http://www.allradio.co.za/tag/smart-ptt-two-way-radio-ss388-two-way-radio-halo-technologies/