Connect Field Crews, Dispatch & Operations Across Your Service Area
Utility operations depend on communications that extend far beyond a single facility. Field crews, dispatchers, maintenance personnel and operations teams need to stay connected across vehicles, facilities, infrastructure sites and remote working areas.
Wireless Voice & Data designs and supports communications solutions that help utilities throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Northern California coordinate field operations, respond to service issues and maintain reliable communications across their service territories.
From professional two-way radio systems and dispatch to multi-site networks and wide-area Push-to-Talk, we build communications solutions around your people, infrastructure and coverage requirements.
Connect Your Entire Utility Operation
Communications from the Control Center to the Field
Utility personnel may work miles apart while still needing to coordinate as one team.
Two-way radio and push-to-talk communications provide an immediate way to reach individuals, crews or entire groups without relying on individual phone calls or text messages.
Wireless Voice & Data can help connect:
- Field service crews
- Dispatchers
- Operations personnel
- Maintenance technicians
- Engineering teams
- Supervisors
- Fleet personnel
- Facilities teams
- Contractors
- Emergency response personnel
- Warehouse and logistics
- Management
Whether your teams operate across a city, county or larger service territory, we'll help determine the right communications technology for your operation.
Communications Across a Wide Service Territory
Keep Crews Connected Wherever the Work Takes Them
Utility communications present a different challenge from communications inside a single building.
Employees may move between facilities, substations, pumping stations, treatment facilities, service calls, construction sites and remote infrastructure throughout the day.
Wireless Voice & Data can evaluate where your people work and design a communications solution around the geographic coverage required.
Depending on your operation, that may include traditional two-way radio systems, repeaters, multi-site networks, IP connectivity, dispatch or cellular Push-to-Talk.
Improve Field Coordination & Response
Get Information to Crews Faster
Fast communications can help utility organizations coordinate both routine work and changing field conditions.
Dispatch & Field Operations
Connect dispatchers with field crews to coordinate assignments, service calls and changing priorities.
Maintenance & Repair
Reach technicians quickly when infrastructure or equipment requires attention.
Supervisors & Crews
Give supervisors an immediate way to communicate with individuals, work groups or multiple crews.
Facilities & Infrastructure
Connect personnel working across operational facilities and remote infrastructure locations.
Contractors
Provide temporary or designated communications for contractors working alongside utility personnel when appropriate.
Service Restoration & Response
Support coordination between field personnel, supervisors and operations teams when multiple crews need to respond to changing conditions.
Dispatch Communications
Connect Operations with Personnel in the Field
Dispatch is often at the center of utility communications.
Wireless Voice & Data can design and integrate dispatch solutions that give operators a centralized way to communicate with field personnel and work groups.
Depending on the communications platform selected, dispatch solutions can support individual and group communications across radio, IP-connected or wide-area systems.
The goal is to give dispatchers and supervisors a communications platform designed around how crews are actually deployed and managed.
Communications for Remote & Difficult-to-Reach Locations
Extend Coverage Beyond Your Main Facilities
Utility infrastructure is not always located where communications coverage is easy.
Terrain, distance, buildings and remote operating areas can all affect traditional radio coverage. Wireless Voice & Data can evaluate coverage requirements and help determine the appropriate combination of repeaters, antennas, multi-site infrastructure or broadband communications.
For facilities with challenging indoor radio coverage, we can also evaluate in-building solutions.
Communications for Routine Operations & Major Events
A System Designed for Changing Demands
Utility communications need to support everyday operations as well as periods when communication demands increase.
Severe weather, outages, infrastructure failures and other major events can require field crews, dispatchers, supervisors, contractors and management to coordinate across multiple locations.
A properly designed communications system gives authorized personnel an immediate way to communicate with individuals and groups as operational requirements change.
Wireless Voice & Data can evaluate capacity, coverage, user groups and infrastructure when designing or upgrading a utility communications system.
Communications Technology for Utilities
Choose the Right Platform for Your Service Territory
No single technology is right for every utility.
Wireless Voice & Data can evaluate your users, facilities, service territory, existing infrastructure and coverage requirements and recommend the technology—or combination of technologies—that best fits your operation.
KENWOOD Two-Way Radio Solutions
Scalable Communications for Utility Operations
KENWOOD professional two-way radios provide dedicated communications for field crews, dispatchers, maintenance personnel and operations teams.
Solutions can range from conventional portable and mobile radio systems to digital KENWOOD NEXEDGE systems with repeater and multi-site capabilities.
Depending on the equipment and system selected, KENWOOD solutions can support individual and group communications, multiple channels or talk groups and scalable configurations for organizations operating across multiple locations.
KENWOOD can be a strong choice for utilities that require dedicated radio communications without depending entirely on public cellular networks.
Icom Communications Solutions
Radio, IP & Wide-Area Communications
Icom provides multiple communications options for utility operations.
Professional portable and mobile radios can provide dedicated communications for field and facility personnel, while IP-connected solutions can extend communications using compatible network infrastructure.
Icom also offers LTE communications options for personnel who need push-to-talk communications across larger geographic areas.
Wireless Voice & Data can help determine whether traditional radio, IP-connected communications, LTE or a combination of technologies is appropriate for your operation.
Motorola Communications Solutions
Communications for Field & Utility Operations
Motorola communications technology can support field crews, supervisors, maintenance personnel and other utility employees who need immediate push-to-talk communications.
For organizations already operating Motorola equipment, Wireless Voice & Data can help evaluate supported products, accessories and communications requirements as part of the overall system.
Talk with our team about your existing Motorola equipment and what you're trying to accomplish.
HearClear Push-to-Talk
Wide-Area Communications for Field Crews
HearClear Push-to-Talk over cellular can be particularly useful for utility organizations with employees spread across large service territories.
Field crews, supervisors, dispatchers and other personnel can communicate across broad geographic areas without requiring a traditional radio network to provide coverage throughout the entire territory.
Supported capabilities can include group and private calling, GPS location and tracking, computer-aided dispatch and smartphone connectivity.
For utilities with geographically dispersed personnel, HearClear can provide a flexible option for connecting the field with dispatch and operations.
Communications for Every Part of Your Utility Operation
Solutions Built Around Your Infrastructure
Wireless Voice & Data can develop communications solutions for:
- Electric utilities
- Water and wastewater utilities
- Gas utilities
- Municipal utilities
- Public works operations
- Treatment facilities
- Pumping stations
- Substations
- Field service operations
- Fleet operations
- Maintenance facilities
- Warehouses
- Remote infrastructure
- Multi-site utility operations
Each operation presents different requirements for coverage, users and infrastructure. We'll help design the communications system around where your people work and how they need to communicate.
One Facility or an Entire Service Territory
Communications That Scale with Your Operation
Utility communications may need to connect a headquarters, dispatch center, field crews, service vehicles and multiple infrastructure locations across a broad geographic area.
Wireless Voice & Data can evaluate existing equipment and infrastructure and determine what can be retained, expanded or upgraded as part of a new communications strategy.
Depending on your requirements, solutions can combine dedicated radio infrastructure, multi-site systems, IP connectivity and broadband Push-to-Talk to create the coverage your operation requires.
More Than Two-Way Radios
Complete Communications Support
Wireless Voice & Data can support your utility communications throughout the system lifecycle with:
- Communications system design
- RF coverage evaluation
- FCC licensing
- Equipment programming
- Professional installation
- Repeaters and antenna systems
- Dispatch solutions
- In-building coverage
- Systems integration
- Preventive maintenance
- Two-way radio service and repair
- System upgrades and expansion
With more than 30 years serving the San Francisco Bay Area and Northern California, Wireless Voice & Data provides local technical expertise from initial system design through ongoing support.
Utility Communications FAQs
What is the best two-way radio system for a utility company?
The right system depends on the size of the service territory, number of users, required coverage, infrastructure and whether personnel need to communicate across facilities, vehicles and remote locations. Wireless Voice & Data can evaluate these requirements and recommend an appropriate solution.
How can utility field crews communicate across a large service area?
Options can include multi-site radio networks, IP-connected communications and cellular Push-to-Talk. The best approach depends on geography, available infrastructure, coverage requirements and how crews operate.
Can dispatch communicate directly with utility field crews?
Yes. Dispatch solutions can provide a centralized communications point between operators and field personnel. Available capabilities depend on the radio or push-to-talk platform and system configuration.
Can different utility crews have separate radio channels or talk groups?
Yes. Depending on the system and licensing, communications can be organized around work groups, departments, geographic areas or operational responsibilities while allowing designated personnel to communicate across groups when needed.
What communications options are available for remote utility sites?
The appropriate solution depends on the location, terrain, infrastructure and available network coverage. Options may include radio repeaters, multi-site systems, IP connectivity or cellular Push-to-Talk.
Can we connect multiple utility facilities on one communications system?
Yes. Multi-site radio systems, IP-connected technologies and wide-area Push-to-Talk can provide options for connecting personnel across multiple facilities and operating areas.
Can utility crews use both mobile and portable radios?
Yes. Mobile radios can provide communications from service vehicles, while portable radios allow personnel to remain connected when working away from the vehicle. Systems can be designed to support both types of users.
Do utility two-way radio systems require an FCC license?
Many professional two-way radio systems operate on frequencies that require FCC authorization. Requirements depend on the frequencies, equipment and system configuration. Wireless Voice & Data provides FCC licensing assistance and can help determine the appropriate requirements.
Build a Better Communications System for Your Utility
Whether you're improving field communications, connecting multiple facilities, expanding coverage or replacing an aging radio system, Wireless Voice & Data can help design a communications solution around your service territory and operations.