By leveraging existing cellular and Wi-Fi networks, PoC eliminates infrastructure costs and licensing requirements while providing essential features like GPS tracking, encrypted communication, and rapid deployment. Waste and recycling organizations can optimize operations with carefully selected PoC services and devices, ensuring seamless communication and workforce efficiency.
By Ty Estes
In the waste management and recycling industry, reliable and instant communication is crucial for optimizing operations, ensuring worker safety, and reducing inefficiencies. Push-to-Talk over Cellular (PoC) is transforming how these companies coordinate landfill operations, manage large recycling facilities, and oversee collection fleets. By leveraging nationwide coverage over 4G/5G/LTE networks, PoC eliminates the limitations of traditional radio systems and provides a scalable, cost-effective solution.
PoC offers several key benefits for waste management and recycling operations. For landfill operations, PoC enables instant communication across large sites without range limitations, enhances worker safety through emergency alerts and GPS tracking, and reduces response times for equipment failures and environmental hazards. In large recycling facilities, PoC improves coordination between sorting, processing, and logistics teams, enhances security with encrypted communication and access control features, and supports integration with dispatch applications to streamline workflow management. For fleets of trash trucks, PoC optimizes route efficiency through GPS tracking and geofencing, ensures hands-free, DOT-compliant communication for drivers, and provides real-time updates on collection progress and schedule changes.
Images courtesy of Hytera US.
What is PoC?
Push-to-Talk over Cellular (PoC) enables group communication over Wi-Fi, 4G, 5G, and LTE, creating a nationwide radio network using Mobile Network Operators鈥� infrastructure. Unlike traditional radio networks, PoC removes the limitations of repeater and base station ranges, offering extensive coverage. Businesses, government agencies, and emergency responders benefit from PoC鈥檚 ability to provide instant, wide-area communications without the need for dedicated radio infrastructure.
Originally introduced by Nextel in 1987, PoC revolutionized business communication by sending small voice packets over its iDEN network. Before PoC, two-way radios were the primary means of business communication, but they were limited by geographical coverage and required dedicated frequencies. Nextel鈥檚 innovation allowed for broader communication using cellular infrastructure. Following Sprint鈥檚 acquisition of Nextel and the decommissioning of iDEN in 2013, PoC evolved into a more sophisticated system. Today, PoC combines the benefits of narrowband digital radios and broadband 4G/5G/LTE networks, as well as supporting features like instant group calls, GPS tracking, messaging, and emergency notifications.
How PoC Works
PoC, also known as Radio over IP (RoIP), functions similarly to Voice over IP (VoIP). Handheld PoC radios connect to cloud-based services via Wi-Fi or 4G/5G/LTE, requiring a SIM card for data connectivity through operators like AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. These radios are also Internet of Things (IoT) devices, offering seamless internet access for data communications, further expanding their functionality.
A PoC system typically consists of PoC devices, cloud-based PoC servers, and dispatch applications. The PoC network services can be hosted in the cloud by service providers or privately managed by large enterprises. Gateway routers enable connectivity between the cellular network and PoC servers, ensuring real-time voice and data transmission. Dispatch applications provide centralized communication management, allowing organizations to monitor and direct teams efficiently.
PoC Subscription Services
PoC services are typically offered via low-cost annual subscription plans that may include PoC devices or allow users to purchase them separately. These plans cover SIM card costs and access to cellular networks from providers like AT&T and T-Mobile. This 鈥淩adios-as-a-Service鈥� is provided as an Operational Expenditure (OPEX) cost model that provides multiple benefits:
鈥� Cost-effective with minimal upfront investment
鈥� No infrastructure or licensing requirements
鈥� Scalable for growing organizations
鈥� Reliable wide-area communication via Wi-Fi and LTE
鈥� No maintenance costs or depreciating assets
Subscription models provide businesses with flexibility, allowing them to scale communication needs as required. PoC subscriptions typically include device management, customer support, and software updates, ensuring access to the latest technology.
PoC Group Calling
PoC supports instant group communication, similar to traditional two-way radios, enabling users to connect with predefined groups or individuals at the push of a button. Group structures can be customized based on job roles, locations, projects, or emergency response needs. Employees can belong to multiple groups, ensuring flexibility in communication.
A PoC group call is initiated by pressing the push-to-talk (PTT) button, instantly connecting multiple users without the need for dialing or waiting for a connection. This instant communication is crucial for industries such as transportation, security, healthcare, and logistics, where quick response times are essential.
Key Features and Benefits
Nationwide, Multi-Site, and Single-Site Coverage
PoC devices operate on national 4G/5G/LTE networks via SIM cards, eliminating geographical restrictions. For businesses requiring localized communication, PoC devices can also connect to Wi-Fi networks, offering flexibility for single-site and multi-site deployments. Organizations with multiple locations can integrate their communication networks seamlessly over an IP-based infrastructure.
No Infrastructure or FCC Licensing Needed
PoC eliminates the need for costly radio infrastructure, maintenance, and FCC licensing, which can be challenging in high-density areas with limited frequency availability. Traditional radio systems require repeaters, towers, and ongoing maintenance, while PoC leverages existing cellular networks, significantly reducing capital expenditures.
Quick Deployments
PoC systems are rapidly deployable using existing cellular and Wi-Fi networks. Pre-configured PoC radios with SIM cards allow instant plug-and-play functionality. Unlike traditional radio systems that require frequency coordination and complex installations, PoC devices can be set up within minutes.
Private Communications
PoC uses ARC4 and AES encryption to secure digital voice and data transmissions, ensuring privacy and controlled network access. Encrypted communications are critical for law enforcement, healthcare, and corporate environments where sensitive information must be protected. Organizations can set encryption levels based on security requirements, ensuring only authorized users can access communication channels.
GPS Tracking and Dispatching
PoC devices with GPS integration support real-time tracking, geofencing, and dispatch applications, making them ideal for fleet and workforce management. Dispatchers can monitor employee locations, optimize routes, and enhance operational efficiency. Geofencing allows organizations to define virtual boundaries, triggering alerts when employees enter or exit designated areas. This feature improves security and ensures compliance with operational protocols.
Scalability for All Business Sizes
PoC can support a handful of users or scale up to enterprise-level systems with thousands of users. Large organizations benefit from network segmentation, remote device management, encryption settings, and private branding. PoC platforms allow businesses to define user roles, assign communication priorities, and create hierarchical structures for efficient operations.
PoC Dispatching Applications
PoC dispatch apps provide a centralized platform for instant voice calls, GPS tracking, and fleet management. Dispatchers can create call groups, monitor locations, and set geofence alerts for better workforce coordination. These applications are typically web-based, requiring minimal setup and maintenance. Organizations can integrate dispatch solutions with existing operational software to streamline workflows and enhance decision-making.
Integrating PoC with Existing Radio Systems
PoC bridging solutions connect PoC networks with traditional analog and DMR radio systems, ensuring smooth communication between different platforms. These bridges enable PoC devices to communicate with existing radio networks, extending their range while preserving investments in legacy systems. Businesses that already use traditional two-way radios can integrate PoC to expand their communication reach without replacing their existing infrastructure.
Selecting the Right PoC Services and Devices
When selecting PoC systems and services, it is essential to prioritize reliability by choosing providers with a strong track record of uptime and redundancy, minimizing the risk of service disruptions. Scalability is also crucial, as the system should be able to easily accommodate additional users and provide administrative control over call groups. For businesses with fleets or remote workers, a professional, web-based dispatch application is vital for ensuring efficient communication and tracking.
When it comes to PoC devices, build quality is an important factor, with a minimum two-year warranty recommended to guarantee durability and reliability. The ruggedness of the devices is also critical, and opting for models with an IP67/IP68 rating ensures resistance to water, dust, and impact, making them ideal for demanding work environments. To ensure clear communication, devices should feature high-quality speakers and AI-based noise cancellation, which is especially beneficial in noisy settings. Depending on the needs of the organization, there are various device options available, ranging from basic handheld PoC radios to more feature-rich models with cameras and text messaging, or even smart PoC devices with barcode scanning capabilities. For fleet use, mobile PoC radios with handheld microphones offer a safe, DOT-approved alternative to cell phones, ensuring compliance with regulations while maintaining reliable communication.
Workforce Efficiency
PoC offers a cost-effective, scalable, and secure solution for businesses seeking reliable, wide-area radio communication. By leveraging existing cellular and Wi-Fi networks, PoC eliminates infrastructure costs and licensing requirements while providing essential features like GPS tracking, encrypted communication, and rapid deployment. Waste and recycling organizations can optimize operations with carefully selected PoC services and devices, ensuring seamless communication and workforce efficiency. | WA
Ty Estes is the Marketing Director for Hytera US Inc, where he oversees promotion of the company鈥檚 radio communication products. Ty has more than 20 years of experience in marketing wireless communications and network technologies, and he has chaired committees in telecommunications trade associations and authored several technical papers. To learn more about Push-to-Talk over Cellular, visit