City of Cape Town to Pilot New Push-to-Talk Technology

They will be able to test a new product which allows users to turn a regular cell phone into a "walkie-talkie" at the click of a button.

Communication between the various departments, individuals on patrol and other resources have proved difficult up till now. For security reasons, a number of different frequencies are used for radio communication, but this means that infrastructure costs are high and inter-department communication must be facilitated through a control centre.

Officials on duty will be able to communicate in real time with up to twenty five other officials simultaneously, using push-to-talk. This technology splits voice calls into packets which are distributed across the network at a fraction of the cost of regular voice calls. There is no distance restriction because users can communicate with other users anywhere in the world where Vodacom has GPRS coverage or roaming agreements.

As the existing Vodacom network is used, there is no infrastructure cost to the City. The extra security afforded by GSM means that no-one can listen in on the calls. Push-to-talk will also make inter-department communication possible. Cell phone battery life is considerably longer than that of traditional radio handhelds. With entry level phones coming onto the market with the push-to-talk function, the cost of the devices is less than radios.

Escalating crime on the N2 and R300 highways has received extensive media coverage recently along with demands for government action by members of the public. Recent measures have included increased Police presence, mobile control stations and more staff.

Bronwyn Johnson and Elton Moodley of Nashua Cape Town approached the City of Cape Town with an offer to test Vodacom's new Push-to-talk technology as a cost effective, secure alternative means of communication. The companies met with representatives from the South African Police, Metro Police, Traffic Department and Provincial Administration. Nashua Cape Town, Vodacom and Motorola are working together with the City officials to sponsor a one month trial of the new product.

For the pilot project, twenty five Motorola handsets will be issued to selected personnel working on these two highways. These phones will be linked. Trainers from Motorola, Nashua and Vodacom will show the users how to communicate via push to talk.

Further phases of the project will investigate the monitoring of the exact location of officials. This will increase the accuracy and response times. At a later stage, push-to-talk services may even be extended to the public using these roads so that they can call for help when necessary.

Councillor Dumisani Ximbi, Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, welcomed the support from the companies: "Safety is important for all of us in government, business and as individuals. This is a welcome initiative to use new technology to improve safety, crime prevention and emergency response and I thank the companies involved."

"The City's response to our suggestions has been very positive," states Bronwyn Johnson, "We received instant buy-in from senior officials in all the departments. They are eager to try new technologies to combat crime and make the roads safer for travellers. The public should appreciate their efforts and give them all our support."

Issued by:
Lisle Brown
Media Liaison Officer
Tel: 021 400-3065
Directorate: Communication and Marketing
City of Cape Town
Tel: 021 400 2201
Fax: 021 957 0023

Media queries:
Bongani Maqungwana
Executive Support Officer for Cllr Dumisani Ximbi
Tel: 021 400 3794
Bronwyn Johnson
Divisional Manager: Nashua C.T.
Tel: 021 550 2000
Elton Moodley
Sales Manager: Nashua C.T.
Tel: 021 550 2000