Siyata Mobile Poised to Become Market Leader in Next-Generation Communication for First Responders

The following post was written and/or published as a collaboration between Benzinga’s in-house sponsored content team and a financial partner of Benzinga.

Push-to-talk (PTT) communication solutions play an important role in the mission and business-critical mobile frontline workers.

From school bus drivers to police officers, the benefits provided by instant one-to-one and one-to-many communications represent an irreplaceable mode of communication.

Today, PTT communication is poised to address pivotal needs in the mission-critical and first-provider sectors and could supplant the incumbent technology, private land mobile radio (LMR) networks. There are roughly 10,000 land mobile radio networks active in the U.S. today that suffer from network incompatibility and limited coverage areas.

Furthermore, with scarce radio spectrum, LMR functionality is restricted. Spectrum authorities have reduced LMR bandwidth to squeeze more users into a limited spectrum, resulting in loss of data transmission and a general lack of flexibility in today’s large data-driven world.

Rise of PoC and FirstNet

LMR’s perils first came to light during the 9/11 attacks, as police departments in different jurisdictions could not communicate with one another because of limited bandwidth.

At that point, the U.S. government set up an entity called FirstNet (First Responder Network Authority), the only nationwide network built specifically as a unified network for the first responder community built on cellular technology known as PTT over cellular or PoC.

FirstNet provides all the same functionalities of LMR and addresses all the previously mentioned shortcomings of LMR, but on the backbone of the 4G LTE network managed, and is now run by AT&T. It uses a wireless spectrum set aside for the public safety community (referred to as Band 14).

About Siyata Mobile

One company positioned to take advantage of this generational shift in mission-critical communications trend is Siyata Mobile Inc SYTA. Siyata Mobile is a leading global developer and provider of cellular communications systems for first responders and enterprise customers, specializing in connected vehicle products for professional fleets and marketed under the Uniden® Cellular brand.

Since developing the world’s first 3G-connected vehicle device, Siyata has been a pioneer in the industry, launching the world’s first 4G LTE all-in-one fleet communications device, the UV350. To date, Siyata has sold its UV350 devices to fleets in Israel, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States.

Siyata has developed three complementary product categories designed to replace LMR:

1. In-vehicle devices targeting first responders and commercial fleets

Photo: UV350

Siyata’s in-vehicle device, the UV350, is the only approved in-vehicle PoC device on the FirstNet network. The device can be mounted directly into a fire truck, police car, ambulance, or even any enterprise vehicle. The device can replace the LMR, GPS and black box. It is Android-based, offering the ability to download all the apps at FirstNet, including GPS truck logging, time logging, and any other requirement that enterprises or first responders require.

2. Rugged Handsets

Photo: SD7

Siyata’s primary products in the rugged handheld market are the PoC UR5, the UR7 and most recently launched SD7. These are low-cost, purpose-built smartphones and until now have only been sold in international markets. The SD7 is Siyata’s first handset in North America and its first mission-critical PTT device (MCPTT).

The SD7 is an easy-to-use, PTT-only, ruggedized device with limited interface (i.e., small 2-line monochrome screen, PTT key, SOS key and volume rockers) that is LTE, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth-enabled, using the Android operating system. The device has an IP67 rating, resistance to water and dust, as well as offers drop protection and a robust battery — making it well suited in harsh environments.

Using the SD7, primary first responders (police, fire, ambulance), which number over 2 million in the U.S. alone — as well as secondary support personnel — can quickly connect and coordinate on unified public cellular networks in North America and other international markets. The company is in discussion with multiple carriers and expects to launch this device in North America in 2021, then in Europe in 2022.

3. Cellular Boosters

Photo: Uniden® Cellular Signal Booster U60C 4G

Cellular boosters are critical for communications among first responders, particularly in rural areas. They offer improved communication not only for potentially dropped calls but also for higher bandwidth. Siyata’s cellular boosters target consumers, professionals and first responders and work directly with or independently of the UV350 on 4G networks. Users can place the cellular boosters inside the vehicle, house, warehouse or even an enterprise.

Key Differentiating Factors

Siyata’s products offer competitive advantages over competing products.  These include:

1. Superior audio quality

While most manufacturers struggle to optimize audio in a vehicle, Siyata distinguishes itself in this area. The Uniden UV350 has clear audio quality and is the only LTE in-vehicle device compatible with FirstNet frequencies. The UV350 has an external 20-watt speaker and a noise-canceling microphone for crystal clear traditional phone and PTT calls in the harshest environments.

2. Low-cost disruptor

Rugged handsets with PoC positions Siyata as a low-cost disruptor. The company is seeing accelerated adoption of low-cost PoC devices across various markets like hospitality, logging companies, utilities and security.

3. Secure and reliable

The permanent, in-vehicle, mounted installation of the UV350 makes the device impossible to lose, easy to manage and functional in extreme temperatures. Also, only one phone number is needed to reach the vehicle.

4. Major carrier and government certifications

In the U.S., the UV350 is qualified for the Verizon, AT&T and FirstNet networks; in Canada, it is qualified on the Bell and Rogers networks. Siyata has received all major industry and government approvals for the UV350, including the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Google Android Compatibility Test Suite (CTS), PCS Type Certification Review Board (PTCRB), Conformité Européenne (CE) and Industry Canada (IC).

5. Competition

Siyata mobile has different competitors in each of its verticals and categories of product offerings. Within the in-vehicle category, Siyata has no direct competitor. Within the rugged phone category, Siyata is a low-cost disruptor, and its SD7 will bring market-leading MCPTT capabilities. Within the cellular booster category, Siyata has the most comprehensive line of products in the industry.

6. Mission Critical Push to Talk (MCPTT)

MCPTT refers to the standard specification drawn up by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). MCPTT builds on PTT by providing interoperability, which is vital for public safety, ensuring compliant solutions among all users independent across networks, hardware and applications. The benefit for Siyata is that its first MCPTT rugged handset will be compatible with any carrier in the world.

Massive Market Opportunity

Siyata’s core market focus for the UV350 is any sector with fleet operations, which in the U.S. alone represents over 24 million vehicles. This customer base includes transportation, oil and gas, public safety, and other sectors with commercial fleet operations.

Public safety also represents a vast opportunity for Siyata, with FirstNet and secondary level personnel, like those in construction, waste management, and school or administrative roles also being key potential customers.

VDC Research forecasts the U.S. population of PoC users to grow from 4.5 million in 2019 to 7.5 million by 2023, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.6%.

The PoC rugged handset market is a subset of the $2 billion worldwide handset market, representing a sizable market opportunity for Siyata. The U.S. market represents an upside to the company’s forecast, given over 100,000 such rugged products are sold every year.

A report by 360 Research Reports indicates that the global signal booster market is a $10 billion market opportunity that is forecast to grow at approximately 10% per year into 2025.

With the growing trend of in-vehicle PoC and Siyata’s competitive products, the company is well-positioned to take advantage of the emerging market opportunities.
To learn more about Siyata Mobile, you can visit its website here.

The preceding post was written and/or published as a collaboration between Benzinga’s in-house sponsored content team and a financial partner of Benzinga. Although the piece is not and should not be construed as editorial content, the sponsored content team works to ensure that any and all information contained within is true and accurate to the best of their knowledge and research. This content is for informational purposes only and not intended to be investing advice.