LTE 2 way radios will make commercial LMR systems a thing of the past

[PACNWDude]

I have heard that LTE would replace LMR ever since the whole Band 14 FirstNet public media releases in 2012. Yet, at least in emergency response, and areas where cell phones are restricted, as others have stated, LMR is not going away. Small businesses are also more likely in my area to buy FRS radios at the local big box store, even though they are not supposed to use them.

Real world, I spent over a decade placing Cellular on Wheels (CoW's), portable satcom systems, and LMR portable repeaters all over the country for many floods, hurricanes and forest fires. LMR will only be augmented by the use of LTE technology, it won't be replaced anytime soon. Now, if only I could use my GETS number for EVDO data in some remote location when it was needed.

 

[KK6ZTE]

In highly urban areas, I can see this becoming a reality. We've lost many clients to LTE/whatever. Our core demographic is larger customers like the local bus service, garbage companies, towing services, etc.

My office is in a city of 107k legal residents and LTE is incredibly spotty. Busiest intersections/city center has no indoor coverage and outside is a crapshoot. My work phone is Verizon which usually works, but AT&T is horrible.

During the Thomas Fire and associated Mudflow Event, cellular coverage was down up to 50 miles away. Nada. Zilch.

 

[MTS2000des]

I think the OP was referring to commercial LMR use (taxis, buses, construction, you know, the typical commercial not public service). The days of $500 dollar business radios on limited coverage business radio systems may be dwindling. This is where low cost devices are being sold for cheap/free with bundled services and they meet the needs of users without high cost of typical land mobile radios. LTE based PTT devices can co-exist with applications that run on smartphones and desktop PCs. For the typical business radio users, to them it makes little difference and LTE based PTT device work wherever the carrier has service whereas LMR systems are usually limited to a smaller area or region.

 

[12dbsinad]

I think the OP was referring to commercial LMR use (taxis, buses, construction, you know, the typical commercial not public service). The days of $500 dollar business radios on limited coverage business radio systems may be dwindling. This is where low cost devices are being sold for cheap/free with bundled services and they meet the needs of users without high cost of typical land mobile radios. LTE based PTT devices can co-exist with applications that run on smartphones and desktop PCs. For the typical business radio users, to them it makes little difference and LTE based PTT device work wherever the carrier has service whereas LMR systems are usually limited to a smaller area or region.

Bingo!

 

[JASII]

This is a great topic for discussion. I have used two-way radios for years. Like, almost 40 years. I remember when mobile phones were IMTS.

Has anybody seen a comparison of the various PTToLTE services? Motorola is obviously one of them, but I know there are others, too. How do the prices, features and coverage compare to one another?

Personally, I bought a Sonim XP8 several months ago because it has several dedicated, physical PTT buttons, which are great for Zello and similar apps.

I have been eyeing up the Ulefone ARMOR 3WT. It is a smartphone with a built in DMR two-way radio. I think the future for many users is pretty much that very type of device. It will be something that accesses a cellular network and has built in simplex for nearby communications. The form-factor may be similar to a two-way radio, either HT or mobile, or it might be similar to a smartphone with a larger screen.

 

[MtnBiker2005]

Radio Vendors: LMR Is Not Dead
October 29, 2019
And with two comments on the page.

Radio Vendors: LMR Is Not Dead

MissionCritical Communications, Radio Resource International, and Public Safety Report - wireless voice and data communications for mobile, remote and public safety operations

www.rrmediagroup.com

 

[phillmobile]

How are you going to legally use a lte radio while driving?

 

[12dbsinad]

How are you going to legally use a lte radio while driving?

Most all states exempt 2 way radio's. That is why public safety, buses, businesses, hams, etc can utilize radio's while driving. Dedicated LTE radio's weather handheld's or mobile's are no different than LMR radio's in that respect.

 

[buddrousa]

I would say they need to talk to the state they live in as each state is different I point you to section A sub part 3

https://handsfreetn.com/files/pc0412.pdf

 

[12dbsinad]

It say's 2 way radio's are exempt..

 

[buddrousa]

Do LTE radios text? It also says ALL MOBILE EQUIPMENT. That is why I stated ask your State Government also local Judges may see it different.
But a smartphone app is still a cellphone.

 

[12dbsinad]

Yes they do, but so don't LMR radio's. That verbiage is the same used in my state and many other's. LTE radio's are dedicated radio's (not cellphones) that are no different than a LMR radio. If you are talking about a zello app than that could be a gray area. I would then suggest using handfree zello, problem solved.

Can a trucker talk on his CB in Tennessee? I would say probably yes, most states have provisions for this.

 

[Firebuff880]

How are you going to legally use a lte radio while driving?

Icom, Kenwood, Motorola and others have or will soon have a "Mobile" radio that uses the LTE cellular backbone instead of the LMR backbone. It looks like a traditional vehicle mounted mobile radio just is a Cellular based PTT specific radio.

Think Icom A120 form factor and LTE..

 

[cmdrwill]

iPTT | Nationwide LTE Wide Area Business 2-Way Radio Push to Talk United States

iPTT LTE Enterprise Push to Talk and Tracking Solutions for Business. Wide Area Nationwide Communication Products and support. 847-728-8500 United States of America

www.iptt.us

 

[David628]

I think it will be a mixed bag. There's a place for both. Recall NEXTEL. They tried to grab a large portion of the consumer (and even LE) LMR market with a robust device dual purpose device thats both a cell phone and 2 way PTT radio combined. Their poor coverage, high cell plan costs and crappy customer service over time basically played a part in them not nabbing a majority of LMR market. But at that time, I clearly remember seeing drivers holding/using NEXTELS at several logistical supply chain vendors in the Chicago metro area and surrounding suburbs. NEXTEL basically covered the entire city and even most of the suburbs. That was a win win for them because companies needed both phone and 2 way radio coverage at the same time.

They already have a cheap LTE LMR alternative I just found for anyone who wants to have LTE LMR type coverage (basically world wide) using your own phones. So the low cost LTE LMR alternative access is out there.

Zello | Transportation

Every day is a journey for any business that keeps things moving. Keep your drivers safe and your dispatchers happy.

zello.com

Edit to add you can get bluetooth mics and headsets also:

Zello | Hardware | Accessories (Zello Push-to-Talk App Accessories)

Get the best Zello accessories and hardware for your team. Stay connected with Zello headsets, PTT buttons, mics, and more. Visit us for more information.

zello.com

 

[12dbsinad]

There is something to consider regarding App based PTT services and LTE radio's. First, cellphone PTT Apps can be unreliable. Apps can fail to open and crash during use. 2 way Apps have not taken over the 2 way radio market for these reasons and others.

Dedicated LTE radio's however change that. They provide superior audio quality of that of a digital LMR system. LTE radio's can be had in both fixed mobile units as well as handhelds. They also provide cheap GPS services and are considered a "2 way radio" as far as hands free laws are concerned and are very price competitive to LMR sysems, all while providing nationwide coverage. They also perform much better RF wise. In testing, I found a 30 percent increase in service compared to a regular smartphone on the same network due to it's external antenna design.

It also is not a comparison to Nextel coverage of the day. Nextel was aimed mostly at high density area's and lacked any rural coverage and came at a high cost per subscriber.

 

[Hit_Factor]

.If you are talking about a zello app than that could be a gray area. I would then suggest using handfree zello, problem solved.

Not a gray area. You'll never explain away the cellphone in court, if you ever need to.

Good advice to be hands free. It's really hard to tell the difference between singing with the music and using a hsndsfree comm device.

 

[fwradio]

How are you going to legally use a lte radio while driving?

The mobiles look and feel just like mobile radios

 

[fwradio]

We launched our PTT over LTE service in Texas and the coverage versus our DMR Tier 3 network or even any of our competitors networks is phenomenal. The audio quality versus digital LMR is no comparison. Much easier to understand. The devices are just as rugged as regular LMR radios, but a fraction of the price and better battery performance.

I see LMR sticking around for many years to come for onsite and private networks. But SMR days are numbered. And its a very low number.

 

[emcom]

My small town police agency is looking at this technology if we begin to dispatch our own calls.