White Paper: The Future Of Professional Two-Way Radio: Digital

Two-way voice was one of the first commercial applications of radio technology. In 1933, the first two-way mobile radio system was installed in patrol cars of the Bayonne, New Jersey police department. Since then, two-way radio has moved beyond the realm of public safety to become an invaluable tool for mobile professionals in a wide range of enterprises.

The term "two-way radio" conjures up a variety of images. Many people think of public safety officers using expensive equipment and licensed spectrum to convey mission-critical information at the site of an incident. Others think of hobbyists and sales clerks using low-cost, low-power "walkie talkies" in the unlicensed spectrum to keep in touch over relatively short distances. But there's a vast and growing market between these two extremes for professional users who need high-quality yet affordable equipment that takes advantage of the power, range and coexistence characteristics of licensed channels.