British APCO Corporate Member Handsfree Group R5 returns to the spotlight together with valued partner, Tait Communications at APCO 2024

5th Aug 2024

As we enter the second half of another breakthrough year for Handsfree Group, the well-respected UK-based critical communications solutions provider is back at APCO International’s Annual Conference & Expo, APCO 2024, being held this year in Orlando, Florida from August 4th to 7th. The event has established itself as the essential summer meeting place for public safety communications officials from across North America looking out for innovative products and solutions, such as Handsfree Group’s revolutionary R5 fixed vehicle device and integrated communications platform.

Building on the positive experiences from last year’s show, Handsfree Group’s globetrotting CEO, Matthew Johnson will have another opportunity to present the fruits of the company’s flourishing strategic partnership with highly respected and seasoned veterans of public safety communications, Tait Communications (Stand 1819), who are helping bring the R5 to the North American market.

In addition to providing robust, unified communications solutions, R5 has the added advantage of integrating other important vehicle gear and peripherals, such as lights, sirens, PA, mapping and cameras, increasing the benefits of a single device, freeing up more space in such a confined space and driving down the cost of a fully integrated vehicle solution.

Handsfree’s R5 has already been successfully integrated with Tait Communications’ robust and secure unified communications solutions, providing clear narrowband to broadband communication across a common audio path. Building on this important foundation, R5 also fully supports the Tait TeamPTT PTToC application, an Android PTT application allowing communications over LTE cellular and WiFi networks. Tait TeamPTT features PTT, secure group messaging, location tracking and mapping, with optional connection to P25 or DMR networks. R5 also integrates with Tait P25 and DMR mobile radios.

As well as Tait Communications, Handsfree are pleased to announce that another long-time industry partner, TE Connectivity will also be exhibiting on the neighbouring Stand 1919, giving visitors another chance to witness R5 in action.

The United States is comfortably the largest market for the public safety sector in general, and also for mobile broadband, as FirstNet continues to add further connections, having passed 6 million earlier this year. An ever-larger number of public safety agencies around the world are also moving forward with plans to upgrade their emergency communications solutions with more advanced broadband features, making this the perfect moment for Handsfree Group to be increasing its investment in the R5 fixed vehicle integration platform and related solutions.

Handsfree R5 was the first device of its kind to be approved by UK Home Office’s Emergency Services Network (ESN) programme and to be extensively tested by a wide variety of UK emergency service agencies. With this experience, the company has started to attack a global market, extending its reach into new markets and market segments.

After 5 years now in the critical communications space, R5 has quickly established itself as the most complete, best-in-class fixed vehicle device attracting positive reviews and increasing sales from the most demanding critical users from across the globe. Don’t miss this new opportunity to try out the very latest features at APCO 2024 in Orlando and find out for yourselves why R5 is so special.

[Prepared by Peter Clemons – July 29th 2024]