Whatever happened to Nextel?

Nextel 2.0: Nationwide Push-to-Talk

We live in a fast-paced, always connected world. With the evolution of smartphones, instant communication via text, email, voice, and video has never been easier. However, for many Boston enterprise employees who work in industries like transportation, pausing to take out a smartphone to communicate critical information on the job can be a big inconvenience.

Although smartphones are useful, they’re a source of many distractions, including text messaging, social media apps, and games. These devices disrupt the focus and productivity of your teams and cause unnecessary accidents on the road. Fortunately, there’s an alternative that allows workers to focus on their job while providing an excellent means of communication: push-to-talk (PTT) technology. 

Push-to-Talk Flashback

PTT has come a long way since Motorola Solutions pioneered the technology. Land mobile radios (LMR) were the first to utilize this technology. Push-to-talk’s ability to allow instant two-way communication over a private network makes it a popular option among users to this day.

In 1993, things changed when Nextel launched iDEN as a US-based commercial network. This extended the range of PTT by allowing it to be supported over 2G cellular networks, facilitating nationwide communication.

Although Nextel iDEN was purchased and shut down by Sprint in 2013, it was the beginning of a new era for two-way communication within a number of industries that count on it the most. Today, Motorola is again leading the way with WAVE OnCloud—a broadband push-to-talk network.

Nextel 2.0: The New Wave of PTT Technology

The new WAVE OnCloud is a communication service that instantly connects your team at the push of a button, allowing them to communicate over voice and share multimedia information over devices and networks they already have.

WAVE connects your operations nationwide, instantly allowing you to connect with individual team members or a group. As a new technology that is pioneering the industry of two-way radio communication, WAVE OnCloud also offers several unique features that help to ensure deliveries are made on time and productivity is maximized.

Location Sharing and Mapping 

WAVE OnCloud’s geo-fencing and breadcrumbing capabilities empower dispatchers with the ability to monitor their fleets, keep track of assignments, and locate their drivers at all times. In addition to unlimited PTT, team members can quickly search for drop-off addresses, relay accurate information on delivery times, and drop locations pins on the road, sharing their current location with others in real time.

All of this information can be shared on a single admin portal, keeping staff accountable and increasing their safety on the job. Any unforeseen circumstances that may arise on the road can easily be communicated and addressed quickly and reliably. WAVE OnCloud reduces the stress of your operations by gathering all relevant information and displaying it on one uniform platform that can be monitored with ease throughout the day.  

No Risks with Federal Regulations

Given the significant increase in road accidents due to unnecessary cellphone use, federal laws are constantly changing and cracking down heavily on transportation organizations and their drivers. Specific regulations such as access to devices with PTT capability, accurate logging of diving times, and limitations on hours worked in a single shift are being reinforced throughout the country. This places transportation services at risk if they are not operating within those restrictions.

WAVE OnCloud alleviates all of that pressure by being fully DOT compliant. Multimedia sharing allows for important reports and documents to be shared, and tracking hours worked has never been easier. This keeps transportation companies in good standing with the law and qualifies them for insurance discounts that they can take advantage of for being compliant.

No More Unpredictable Costs

A decade ago, the ability to communicate over a broadband network and connect with agents nationwide on a private network was a significant investment costing tens of thousands of dollars. WAVE OnCloud has opened the doors to an all-inclusive package with predictable pricing.

Operators can control their costs and know exactly how much they’re spending with a predictable, affordable subscription fee. Service plans include a broadband/Mototrbo connection or broadband-only package. With no capital expenses or long-term commitments, you can easily add or remove new users based on the needs of your business, all from an intuitive admin portal.

Hassle-Free Setup and Installation

Whether you’re a towing company, bus driver dispatcher, or a manager of a fleet of taxi drivers, setting up your organization on the WAVE OnCloud network is as simple as it gets. All your users need is an email address or phone number—no more designing a custom system, acquiring permits, applying for FCC licenses, and waiting 3–6 months just for a private network to communicate on.

What if you already rely on another two-way-radio system? WAVE OnCloud’s interoperability allow administrators to add new users and connect with old radio systems, creating a seamless migration. WAVE OnCloud also utilizes Verizon LTE and T-mobile networks, making the transition seamless. 

Move Beyond Push-To-Talk

It’s no surprise that Nextel is making a comeback with Wave OnCloud technology. Now your employees can stay connected anywhere in the United States—with a single push of a button they have direct access to colleagues using crisp, clear audio without a distracting screen to get in their way.

But Wave OnCloud is much more than push-to-talk voice. It also incorporates photos, videos, and more into a single communication session with an individual or group.

Move beyond push-to-talk to instantaneous multimedia communication without the need to build and maintain your own radio infrastructure. Contact us today and learn more about how you can instantly connect your teams nationwide with the WAVE OnCloud network.

Connect your entire organization through multiple devices with secure, affordable Motorola Push-To-Talk with WAVE™