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What is Push To Talk?
Push To Talk (PTT) is a radio service for businesses that use GSM mobile phones instead of traditional 2-way radios. Like a 2-way radio you can broadcast to everyone, but you can also talk privately on a one-to-one basis or to a small group of users. You can also use it as a regular mobile phone which avoids the need to carry a phone and a radio.

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How does Push To Talk (PTT) work?
The Push To Talk (PTT) service uses the GSM mobile phone network rather than radio base stations. When a Push To Talk (PTT) call is made, instead of making a phone call, the voice message is transmitted over the phone’s data channel direct to the Push To Talk (PTT) servers.

The servers then forward the speech to the intended user or users, which results in the message being played out of the phone’s loudspeaker. All of this happens without the need to answer the call which makes the communication much more immediate than a mobile phone call.

Because the infrastructure is integrated into the UK’s major mobile phone networks, it is also possible to make and receive Push To Talk (PTT) calls across different mobile networks.

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How will 1Touch save my business money?
1Touch can save your business money on communication costs and by driving business efficiencies.

A 1Touch solution can work out cheaper than alternative technology, such as 2-way radio and portal phone (DECT) systems, as there is no need to pay the expensive licence and set up costs, it also utilises existing mobile handsets and mobile tariffs and benefits from global coverage.

1Touch can play a key part in mobile workforce management and hence drive greater efficiencies to allow staffing and operational costs to be reduced.

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How will 1Touch benefit my business?
Our 1Touch service allows teams to communicate effectively and gives your control desk greater control, helping lone or remote workers to work more efficiently, increasing productivity. 1Touch technology combines instant one-to-one or one-to-many communications with global coverage.

Using Push To Talk (PTT) and Push To Locate (PTL) also helps protect your lone workers as part of compliance with HSE and Corporate Manslaughter regulations.

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What is the benefit over my current radio system?
The major benefit is service coverage. As Push To Talk (PTT) uses the global GSM mobile networks, the range of the service is restricted only by the coverage of the mobile phone networks, a range of approximately 99% of the UK.

PTT can also perform better than mobile phones during periods of heavy network congestion, for example during a large event or emergency situation. Unlike phone calls which are blocked when all the available voice channels in a cell are in use, Push To Talk (PTT) uses the data channel which slows down under congestion but is much more likely to remain available.

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Which mobile network does Push To Talk (PTT) work with?
Our Push to Talk service works on the major mobile networks in the UK - O2, Vodafone and Orange.

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Do I need a separate Push To Talk (PTT) handset?
Dependant on the 1Touch services you take, the service can be delivered over any compatible handset. If you require the addition of Push To Alert (PTA) and Push To Locate, this is currently only supported on the BB3G handset. Please contact us for the latest information on compatibility.

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How long does it take to set-up?
The Push To Talk (PTT) service is built around 1Touch’s unique Provisioning Portal which is designed to allow the ability to fully manage their end users. Using this system a user can be set up on the service in a matter of minutes.

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How many user groups can I create?
It depends on which mobile phone you are using but all phones can support a minimum of 10 groups per handset and most can support many more. 10 groups is expected to be sufficient for most users and their applications.

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What is the maximum number of users in each group?
You are able to set up a maximum of 100 users per group.

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Is there a minimum term contract?
The minimum contract term is 12 months.

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Our organisation has a mobile contract. Can we still get Push To Talk (PTT)?
Yes, it can usually be added to your existing service. We will work with you and your mobile service provider to make sure you have an appropriate data tariff for your expected Push To Talk (PTT) usage.

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What do I need to start using 1Touch?
A compatible phone, a subscription to a mobile data tariff, and the 1Touch service.

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What happens when I receive a Push To Talk (PTT) call while on a regular voice call?
During a phone call your Push To Talk (PTT) state is automatically set to "Do Not Disturb" so that you will not be interrupted. At the end of the phone call, your Push To Talk (PTT) state reverts back to its original setting.

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What happens when I receive a regular voice call while using Push To Talk (PTT)?
During a Push To Talk (PTT) call, incoming phone calls will usually be treated in the same way as if you were on the phone. In other words, the caller will receive the same treatment as if were on another call and they will be diverted as specified on your handset. Note that this behaviour is network and phone dependent and may vary

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How much data does Push To Talk (PTT) use?
A Push To Talk (PTT) call uses just 5kb/s so is very efficient. An average Push To Talk (PTT) user will consume about 15MB per month.

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Will Push To Talk (PTT) work nationwide?
Yes, you just need to make sure you have a mobile signal. Please refer to your network coverage maps from your mobile operator for GPRS data services.

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Can I use Push to Talk overseas?
Yes, provided that your phone has a mobile signal, GPRS (data) is available, and your mobile phone account is configured to allow data roaming abroad. If in doubt, please contact your mobile network operator.

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How much will it cost to use Push To Talk (PTT) overseas?
This will depend on the country you are in and the mobile tariff you are on. Using data abroad is usually more expensive than in the UK so we recommend you consult your mobile operator before travelling. Note that your mobile operator will charge you each time you receive a Push To Talk (PTT) message as well as when you send them, so we recommend that you disable the Push To Talk (PTT) client on your phone when abroad if you do not intend to use it.