After doing a little more reading on the subject I'll play devil's advocate for a minute. I understand it's not 'radio' as we all normally talk about it but at times it could be useful. I enjoy DMR. My state has a very large linked DMR system. There's always the argument that DMR too isn't radio as it's linked through the internet. However lots of people still enjoy it. These network radios may be advertising they can connect to zello which we all know is just a walkie talkie app, but they can also connect through the internet back to an all-star link among other things. There's enough gaps in coverage everywhere I travel that I'm either constantly looking for a 2 meter or 440 machine or I can't get one at all. Even then lots of times they are dead. If I could make use of cell coverage (which GSM is nearly everywhere now) then I could link back to whatever. I also understand the argument "if you're just going to use an app and the internet why not just use the echolink or arps apps from your phone". Personally I like the apps but using an on screen ptt and having to hold a phone up and use an app for talking is annoying. Having something in the form of a radio to do it makes it more appealing to me. Especially no more than the radio cost. You could save money by not getting a sim card for the radio and use your phone as a hotspot for the "network radio". From looking around though it seems T-Mobile has 250mb GSM sims for $5 a month and several more from there. For 5 bucks a month it wouldn't be so bad. 250mb may not be enough but I read somewhere on the network radio website that 500mb a month was a plenty for their "professional series" customers.
