i.safe MOBILE & RugGear Launch 5G Radios for Industrial Zones

i.safe MOBILE has launched a new development together with its partner RugGear. The two 5G radios, the intrinsically safe IS440.1 for use in Zone 1/21 hazardous areas and the rugged model RG440 for use in industrial environments, fulfill the handling requirements of conventional radios, but employ new technologies and can initially be deployed together with PMR radios and replace them in the long term.

By using them in existing public or private networks (4G or 5G) or via Wi-Fi®, secure and stable communication is guaranteed. The compact radios use PTT (via a third-party PTT app) and can be seamlessly paired with classic analog and DMR devices for group communication via a gateway.

Thanks to their interoperability, the devices can be operated across different technologies (via various PTT solutions) and device manufacturers. The highlights of the devices are a fail-safe connection, the reliable QCM6490 chipset from Qualcomm® Technologies, Inc., the user-orientated look  & feel, a powerful, replaceable battery (2400 or 4800 mAh), a high-performance front speaker (>105 dB) especially for noisy environments, large operating elements (PTT button,  rotary knob for PTT channel selection, SOS button), unique 8-pin interface for connecting headphones and heavy-duty headsets (HDHS) as well as dual SIM (with automatic network switching).

Both devices are compatible with Wi-Fi 6, NFC (access control, data transfer between two devices, reading of NFC tags), and Bluetooth® 5.2. The IS440.1 and RG440 support private 4G/5G networks that deploy the CBRS spectrum and LTE band 68 – a major transformation topic, especially for public safety institutions. The focus is on data protection, security, flexibility, quality of service, and reliability.

The radios are equipped with a rotary knob on the top where the user can select the channels for digital and global group calls. A dedicated server-based PTT application can be used to define settings in the back office, such as access rights for communication groups. Thanks to automatic network switching, the dual SIM option guarantees secure connections without interruptions even when network coverage is weak.

An essential aspect of PTT communication is good audio quality in noisy working environments: The new 5G radios are equipped with a powerful 105 dB front speaker.  Thanks to the unique 8-pin interface, the user can connect headphones and HDHS (hearing protection headphones with integrated loudspeaker and microphone).

For the safety of employees in hazardous, potentially explosive, and exposed industrial areas, i.safe MOBILE and RugGear have integrated an SOS button on the devices, which provides a quick alarm function in emergencies via a third-party application. In an emergency, the user can call for help quickly using the SOS button.