Think Public Safety

What Should You Expect from Your Mission Critical Push-to-Talk Provider? Author: Michael Doerk

Created Dec 14 2018, 2:41 PM by Paul Jeffs

For decades, land mobile radio systems have represented the gold standard for push-to-talk functionality, and the development of mission-critical communication services over broadband has been a key priority of the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP).

Mission Critical Push-to-talk (MCPTT) is the global standard for mission-critical applications, with the specification effort led by Service and System Aspects Working Group Six (SA6) of 3GPP. To date, SA6 has completed specifications for mission critical push-to-talk (PTT) applications, a Common Services Core for all MC applications, and enhanced video and data communications.

But, deploying a mission-critical public safety system is about much more than being standards compliant. What is also required is a deep understanding of emergency responders operations, and a demonstrated ability to convert that insight into a working solution. Which is why we think there are three key criteria by which an MCPTT supplier should be judged.

1. Push-to-talk communications know-how
For emergency responders, push-to-talk serves as their lifeline in critical situations. Designing an effective PTT platform requires a deep understanding of how frontline personnel operate devices under stress and in harsh environments, and the capacity to turn that knowledge into reliable communication tools.

Since we launched our first mobile radio for public safety in the 1930’s, Motorola Solutions has been a pioneer and innovator in PTT communications. We introduced the first FM portable or “walkie-talkie” two-way radio in 1943, providing critical PTT communications for troops during World War II. In 1969, we took push-to-talk further than it had ever been before, providing reliable PTT communications for the first astronauts to land on the moon. Other firsts include the first digital encryption technology for PTT communications in 1977, and the world’s first narrowband digital PTT communications system for public safety in 1991.

In 1993, we pioneered the evolution of push-to-talk over cellular (PoC) with the introduction of Integrated Digital Enhanced Network (iDEN) technology. iDEN combined the benefits of efficient PTT communication with the unlimited range of cellular, providing users with push-to-talk, telephone, text, and data communications all in one unit.

2. Leadership in the development of broadband PTT industry standards and technology
Having direct, extensive experience in defining a standard paves the way to quick compliance with that standard. For more than 15 years, Motorola Solutions has distinguished itself as a leader in the development of industry standards for broadband push-to-talk communications. Kodiak, a Motorola Solutions Company, was a significant contributor to the OMA (Open Mobile Alliance) PoC specifications, and we served as the Rapporteur for OMA’s Push-to-Communicate for Public Safety (PCPS) specification. We are also an active participant in the definition of the 3GPP Mission Critical PTT (MCPTT) Standard, serving as the Vice-Chair of the SA WG6 working group and Work Item Rapporteurs for several key technical specifications.

In addition to our standards leadership, we are a leader in broadband PTT technology innovation. Running in a fully virtualised environment, our platform utilises Kernel-based Virtual Machines (KVMs) to enhance its scalability, making it possible for one platform to support premise-based, cloud-based, or network-wide deployment options to ensure the right fit for each customer’s unique requirements. We have also generated more than 20 patents on vital aspects of broadband PTT technology, and our Kodiak MCPTT platform has already demonstrated compliance with key areas of the 3GPP Standard.

3. Proven experience with large scale field deployments
Our broadband PTT platform is a proven solution backed by over a decade of experience delivering fast, secure, reliable push-to-talk communication to customers in all industries.
- 500+ deployments in 38 countries, including the top 50 U.S. cities
- Integration with the network, customer care, and operations systems of leading wireless carriers globally
- Over 1 million end-users

As the title suggests, demonstrating our broadband PTT leadership is truly as easy as one – two - three. Our unique combination of push-to-talk knowledge, standards and technology leadership, and deployment experience results in a broadband PTT platform that can get the right information to the right people at the right time in the moments that matter.

For more information check out our new White Paper ‘MCPTT from Motorola Solutions’ and our Broadband Push-To-Talk solutions online.