Push-to-Talk Handsets Key Differentiator in Secure IP Network Sale to Government Agency

Michael Lawson of Nortel Government Solutions credits Algo’s 1070-series Push-to-Talk (PTT) handsets as a key differentiator in a recent large sale of telecommunication and computer equipment to a US Government agency. The sale, which involved close to 1,000 Algo handsets, was part of larger package of secure Ethernet LAN and IP telephone equipment that Nortel supplied to the organization, including such items as PBX’s, soft switches, and management consoles.

According to Lawson, key criteria in the sale was that the IP telephone handsets have push-to-talk capability - and be available in distinctive colors that could be used to instantly determine what network it was attached to. “The fact that we were able to provide this capability to them was a big factor in the sale”, says Lawson. “With the Algo PTT handsets added to our package, there weren’t any holes in our solution.”

Push-to-Talk handsets are an important requirement in high security and military applications because they prevent transmission of background sounds (which can compromise security) until the “Talk” button is pressed. For this application, the Algo PTT handsets were deployed on three different networks with varying degrees of security classification. Each class of network was visually distinguished by a different handset color.

The Algo PTT handsets were a natural fit with the Nortel equipment package, says Lawson, because they are built from original Nortel handsets, ensuring maximum compatibility, quality, and reliability. “The customer has been using and abusing them and they just keep on working." Adds Lawson, "I’ve been very impressed with their durability.”

Nortel Government Solutions delivers services, expertise, mission-critical systems and secure communications for Government organizations. Headquartered in Fairfax, Virginia, it offers government agencies a one-stop-shop for mission-critical communications designed to improve workforce productivity, reduce operational costs, seamlessly integrate new equipment with legacy systems, and streamline inter-agency communications.

Algo's 1071, 1074 and 1079 Push-to-Talk (PTT) handsets are a high-quality, fully-compatible handset replacement solution for Nortel digital, IP, and Meridian Digital Centrex telephones. Built from original Nortel handsets and featuring an ergonomically designed soft-touch button, Algo PTT handsets operate by allowing normal transmission of voice and background sounds to a remote party only when the Talk button is pressed. When the button is released (Normal mode), the handset microphone is disabled, securely muting the transmission of speech and background sounds while still allowing the remote party to be heard.