AT&T Launches FirstNet Feature Allowing Sending of Text, Photos, Videos

AT&T launched a major upgrade to its Enhanced Push-to-Talk (EPTTT) offering, a walkie talkie-like service used by FirstNet and organizations with countless employees on the field — i.e. service fleets, government agencies and construction or utility companies — to instantly and cost effectively stay in touch.

Now, field workers can do a lot more than talk with a new Push-to-X (PTX) functionality. They can now send highly-secure texts, photos, videos, voice recordings, files and location data to groups and contacts.

The goal is to continue helping customers dramatically boost productivity and save money. Imagine technicians sharing real-time updates while on the ground by showing what they’re seeing, and dispatchers sharing files of maps of unknown areas with support teams.

There are many possibilities for how AT&T EPTT with Push-to-X services can benefit public safety, and AT&T believes the public safety value of this solution will only strengthen as FirstNet is brought to life.

Five years ago, we reshaped the industry when we launched our Enhanced Push-to-Talk (EPTT) with Integrated Dispatch. Many businesses have countless employees working in the field – think service fleets, government agencies and construction or utility companies. They need a cost-effective way to stay in touch, instantly, with large, remote groups of employees.

AT&T EPTT gives them walkie-talkie-type service, similar to 2-way radios, right on their smartphones or tablets over our network. They can directly communicate with the right people, at the right time, with the push of a button.

Dozens of our customers say the service has helped them dramatically boost productivity and save money. Now, it’s getting even better.

We just launched a major update. Field workers can now do a lot more than talk with new Push-to-X (PTX) functionality. They can send highly-secure texts, photos, videos, voice recordings, files and location data to groups and contacts.

Think of how useful that could be to an installer or delivery person. Technicians can now connect over LTE or Wi-Fi to share highly secure, real-time updates while on the ground by showing what they’re seeing, rather than just telling each other. Dispatchers can share files of maps or building schematics of unknown areas with support teams.

Other new features of EPTT include:

• Location-based services – Teams can more easily coordinate when they know where each other are. It’ll help supervisors strategically assign work to those closest to the job. And new geo-fence alerts will help them keep their team members out of dangerous areas.

• Voice message fallback – You can still reach those workers who don’t have their AT&T EPTT device on them at all times. Now, they’ll receive a voice message if they miss the real-time call.

• Easier adoption – This upgrade includes a customizable user interface. It includes 8 assignable talk group soft keys and the 1-touch operation of a traditional radio. This makes the transition to LTE easier for organizations looking to augment their LMR networks.

• Better Integration - AT&T EPTT users can also connect their LMR networks from all major 2-way radio suppliers directly to AT&T’s push-to-talk service. They can also take advantage of API’s and integrate seamlessly with AT&T Workforce Manager and Fleet Complete.

Businesses across industries use our field management solutions like AT&T EPTT, AT&T Workforce Management and AT&T Business Messaging. These include construction, utilities, transportation, shipping, healthcare, government, education and public safety.

There are so many possibilities for how AT&T EPTT with Push-to-X services can benefit public safety. And we believe the public safety value of this solution will only strengthen as FirstNet is brought to life. We will continue to work with Motorola Solutions, a core member of our FirstNet team, as we assist first responders in their journey to mobile broadband applications. Motorola’s technology powers the AT&T EPTT platform for FirstNet subscribers.

AT&T EPTT also integrates AT&T Dynamic Traffic Management (ADTM), which helps businesses prioritize critical applications and data transmissions through the AT&T 4G LTE network. ADTM helps alleviate the effects of congestion on the network, especially when responsiveness is a top priority. It’s like taking the HOV lane during rush hour.

Find out more at att.com/EPTT.