With mobile phones available, why do we still use two-way radios?

With mobile phones available, why do we still use two-way radios?

Mobile phones can be highly inconvenient at times. While today's mainstream smartphones feature powerful operating systems, they are also vulnerable; encountering hackers or experts capable of intercepting signals could compromise sensitive missions—such as anti-narcotics operations, hostage rescues, or covert police actions.

Furthermore, there are instances where no signal is available in extremely remote locations. In such situations, two-way radios prove invaluable, as their signals can be routed through the police force's own infrastructure—eliminating the risk of compromising an operation and avoiding the predicament of having no signal.

Two-way radios offer more powerful communication capabilities than mobile phones. Mobile phones typically support conversations with only one person at a time; switching to another contact requires time to look up their number, and multi-party calling is not supported. While apps like Mobile QQ and WeChat do offer group chat functions, they are cumbersome to use and heavily dependent on network signal strength, making them unsuitable for many situations.

Simply tuning the two-way radios to the same channel enables instant, simultaneous communication—allowing a single call to reach everyone at once—which is incredibly practical. Moreover, in challenging environments—such as noisy outdoor settings—even the best domestic smartphones cannot match the speaker volume of a two-way radio.

There is also a practical reason why two-way radios are so widely used: they are inexpensive! Leaving aside the cost of purchasing mobile phones for staff, the ongoing expense of airtime alone is substantial; furthermore, the multitude of features on mobile phones can distract employees from their tasks, actually leading to reduced productivity. Consequently, equipping staff with two-way radios has become a smart choice for business owners across many industries.