How Does Push-to-Talk Work?

Let’s understand the basics. Push-to-talk (PTT) is a technology that sends voice communication across a network. The voice transmissions and receptions are executed on what is known as a half-duplex communication line. Meaning, when you press the button on a push-to-talk device and speak, the users on the other side of the transmission must wait to receive the voice message before they can talk back. Unlike a standard telephone call, in which users have a full-duplex connection.

A typical push-to-talk connection happens instantly. One of the most significant advantages of push-to-talk is a single person’s ability to reach many people with a single button press. Push-to-talk users do not need to make multiple phone calls or type and send text messages back and forth to communicate with a group of people.

Push-to-talk over cellular (PoC) is a relatively new technology. By leveraging existing cellular data networks, and the Internet, users can communicate over virtually unlimited distances.

Push to talk does not use a cellular network’s standard voice channels; it only uses data. For example, there are times when you are unable to make a cellular phone call due to a weak cellular signal, but you can still send a text message. In this instance, using push-to-talk over cellular, the voice communications will still work as it uses data with a minimal data packet size like a text message.

Push-to-talk devices equipped with WI-Fi can leverage the Internet without the need for cellular data, allowing for similar long distances talk ranges.

Why would you consider utilizing push-to-talk for your business?

Instant Always On Communications – Push-to-talk technology from PeakPTT gives teams the power to communicate over short or long distances much more effectively and efficiently no matter where users are located. Compared to traditional 2-way land mobile radios (LMR), where the range is limited and dead zones are prevalent, push-to-talk over cellular has significant advantages.

It’s super simple and easy to use. Users push a button and talk. At PeakPTT, we do all the heavy lifting. Our clients never have to worry about the technical aspects of using our Push-to-talk devices. Devices arrive, ready to use, right out of the box, set up, and ready to go.

At PeakPTT, we do not believe in making our customers sign any long-term contract, so all services are billed on a month-to-month basis and can be turned on and off anytime.