Radio communications over the Internet (RoIP)

Radio over IP by ISS

What happens when you need PTT beyond the reach of radio towers? What if you want to talk with someone who uses a different kind of radio or need to connect teams spread out around the world? That's where radio over IP (RoIP) comes into play.

RoIP is the technology that takes push-to-talk (PTT) communications beyond its typical limitations so you can talk anytime, anywhere.

How Does RoIP Work?

Radio over IP connects your two-way radios over internet (IP) networks like satellite or wi-fi. By converting radio signals into internet data packets, it can send your transmissions around the world where they can be converted back into radio signals or sent to another voice-enabled device like a smartphone, laptop, or dispatch console.

Let's look at three of the main reasons you might need a RoIP solution for your PTT communications: distances, disasters, and devices.

How RoIP Fills in Gaps and Spans Large Distances

Radio signals have a finite range. They can only travel so far, and they can't get through or around most large obstacles like buildings and mountains. That's why radio users have to maintain what's called line-of-sight. Line-of-sight refers to keeping your radio within clear access of the radio tower or repeater so you can send and receive messages.

But what happens when you need to use your radios somewhere you don't have line-of-sight? Remote areas rarely have sufficient population density to justify installing enough radio towers to provide coverage in the whole region, and many remote and urban areas have natural or man-made obstructions that make communications coverage inconsistent.

That's where RoIP comes in. Satellite and other internet networks provide coverage in these remote areas and dead spaces. By using a RoIP gateway to connect your PTT radios to these IP networks, you can gain complete communications coverage. In urban areas, LTE and wi-fi networks often work in and around large buildings. In remote and wilderness areas, satellite networks provide reliable coverage wherever you go. This allows you to stay connected with the rest of your team whether they’re around the corner or across the world.

How RoIP Is Resilient to Disasters

RoIP makes it possible to connect your push-to-talk radios to satellite coverage. Unlike radio and cell towers which are vulnerable to disasters like hurricanes and tornados, satellites are unaffected by terrestrial storms. With satellite coverage, your radios will keep working when other communication networks are down.

With an International Satellite Services, inc's (ISS) GoKIT or an in-vehicle RoIP gateway, you can reestablish communications in minutes. Simply connect your radio, put the satellite terminal on the roof of your truck, and plug the GoKIT or gateway into your 12v outlet. Just like that you're ready to talk.

How RoIP Connects Disparate Devices for Interoperability

Have you ever tried to establish a PTT connection with someone using a different brand of radio or a smartphone? If so, you know how challenging interoperability can be in PTT communications. RoIP makes cross-band and cross-device interoperability easy.

Because RoIP transmits voice messages over the internet, other internet-connected devices can be set up to send and receive PTT transmissions to and from radios. Using secure smartphone apps, laptop and dispatch console software, or a RoIP gateway connected to another manufacturer's radio, you can push-to-talk with anyone over RoIP.

What Are the Benefits of RoIP?

• Reliable – eliminate coverage gaps and dead zones
• Interoperable – connect disparate radios, smartphones, tablets, laptops, dispatch consoles, and other devices
• Disaster-Proof – reestablish comms within minutes of disasters and outages
• Real-Time GPS – get real-time GPS location tracking and mapping
• Infinite Range – unify and account for widely distributed individuals, vehicles, equipment, and job sites
• Satellite PTT – use any IP network(s) including Starlink
• Multiple Configurations – choose from in-vehicle, portable GoKIT, and fixed-site configurations for any setup
• Flexible – use the radios, devices, and networks you prefer
• Scalable – add more capacity as you grow
• Low latency – enjoy fast, clear audio without ready tones or delays
• Easy to Use – use your radios like usual, no special expertise required

How to Get a RoIP Solution That Works for You

Because RoIP technology is so versatile, it’s possible to build a communication system that is tailored to your specific workflow and needs. To determine how to best solve your problems, we look at key factors such as what radios you're using or want to use, where you will be using them, what your security requirements are, and what other devices you need to connect. Taking these factors into consideration allows us to build a simple solution that unifies your communication reliably and effectively.

With our extensive experience providing and servicing satellite communications products and ISS's robust RoIP solutions, we make it easy to set up satellite coverage for your radios so they’ll work anywhere. With configurations that can be installed directly in vehicles as well as instant deployable radio options for on-the-go applications, you can ensure your team is always connected.

Whether you currently use MSATe land mobile radios, or a combination, RoIP can unify your communications and provide coverage wherever you go. This reliability and continuity will improve safety for your team and increase the effectiveness of your operations.

Reach out to start a conversation about how RoIP can solve your push-to-talk communication challenges today.