Sydney-based ToooAir has launched what it says is an Australian-first product – push-to-talk over cellular – and has released a three product range comprising a compact unit, a mobile mounted unit and a handheld device. All three offer two-way voice over internet protocol communications.

The drawback is, no Telstra coverage, no talk.

It can even be used underground – providing there is an 850 megahertz Telstra signal available. That is not a feature normally associated with Australian underground mines.

ToooAir is working on a model that will work through a wi-fi network, which may prove a more suitable solution for underground mines.

The devices are not intrinsically safe, which will rule them out for use in underground coal mining operations and ToooAir has no plans to seek intrinsically safe certification.

Unlike land mobile radio and professional mobile radio networks, ToooAir says its product provides Australia-wide communication through a simple one-to-one or one-to-many two-way radio style system.

Due to the use of cellular multi-site technology operational teams across Australia can communicate at the touch of a button.

They can also access features such as private calls, voice recording, GPS tacking, group calls, instant voice and text messaging, and ToooAir dispatching software.

ToooAir general manager Peter Langbart said traditional LMR and PMR radio systems were not cutting it anymore.

“Australia’s workforce is becoming more geographically diverse and this causes issues for dated communications systems that rely on the close proximity of users,” he said.

“ToooAir’s PTToC technology solves this issue and has added capabilities such as dispatch software and GPS tracking that are not provided through other products.”

At the moment the ToooAir system is only available in the cellular format, however, ToooAir is in the process of having a dual bander with UHF channels being approved.

During the latter part of next year the company plans to launch a dual bander with a digital mobile radio channel.