What is Satellite PTT?

Typically, when people think of Push-To-Talk (PTT) technology, standard “walkie talkies” and high frequency (HF) radios or Land Mobile Radios (LMR) come to mind. Whether its emergency responders relying on LMR devices to quickly communicate across teams during an emergency, or humanitarian organizations using Very High Frequency (VHF) to support global philanthropic missions, PTT devices are useful tools for a variety of situations.

How Does Satellite PTT Work?

Just like land-based two-way radios, satellite PTT enables group communications at the push of a button. But rather than relying on ground-based infrastructure, these devices are connected via satellites in space, extending their reach beyond the line-of-sight range of ground-based towers.

Our Satellite PTT Advantages

• Global Coverage

Traditional walkie-talkies work over short distances—up to 20 miles, if outside range of an LMR tower. Cell phones, equipped with PTT apps, tend to cover even longer distances if within range of cell towers, but are not reliable in remote areas. Iridium^® PTT allows you to communicate from every part of the world without limitations. Users working in the most remote areas can use Iridium PTT to communicate quickly and effectively.

• Mobile

Iridium Push-to-Talk operates on our constellation of 66 cross-linked, low-earth orbit satellites, freeing you from bulky phones, towers and repeaters. There is no heavy equipment to slow you down. It is you and Iridium PTT connecting your entire team.

• Simple and Adaptable

Our PTT service is managed through a web-based interface called the Iridium PTT Command Center. It enables management of coverage areas, talk groups, and devices with near-real-time activation. It can serve as a primary mode of communications or as a backup plan, in case cell service goes down or is unavailable. Changes happen within seconds, so your teams in the field can continue their operations and focus on the mission, not on the devices.

• Fast

Iridium PTT is built for speed in order to support coordination of personnel and resources. Our devices work as fast as terrestrial land-mobile radio solutions and can be deployed instantly. The Iridium Extreme^® PTT device can initiate a talk group in less than two seconds.

• Interoperable

Iridium PTT saves both time and money by serving as an extension of existing LMR PTT systems through cost-effective interoperability systems. This eliminates the need for additional deployed LMR infrastructure and maintenance. For example, an emergency dispatcher can use their existing system with an integrated Iridium PTT interoperability box to communicate with police officers, firefighters and paramedics beyond the reach of existing LMR networks on their Iridium PTT radios. This enables coordination of critical missions in different states and even different countries, across multiple networks, around the globe.

• Highly Secure

It's a highly secure service, with end-to-end AES-256 encryption, making it an ideal option for militaries and government organizations in need of reliable and secure global group communications capabilities. The system is designed to protect from eavesdroppers and adversaries, ensuring operational security and safety.