![](https://emergencyservicestimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/ESS-Button-resized.png")
With just two weeks to go until The Emergency Tech Show, Premier Partner Hytera talk to us about what they are doing to support the emergency services and what it means to innovate for a safer world.
There are a lot of communications suppliers in this space, what do you think sets Hytera apart?
Hytera brings together innovation and operational reliability – and this is what makes the difference for emergency services when every second counts. Hytera combines next-generation DMR, broadband, video and real-time data technologies for mission-critical communications with a clear understanding of what emergency services need in the field: resilient connectivity, fast deployment, clear audio, secure communications and equipment that performs reliably in demanding environments.
You describe your mission as ‘innovate for a safer world’ – what does that look like in the context of emergency services?
For emergency services, Hytera’s mission, “Innovate for a Safer World”, means developing communications solutions that help teams stay connected, informed and responsive in the most demanding situations. Hytera’s solutions are trusted by emergency services worldwide and support critical operations across diverse environments, from noisy metropolitan areas and complex urban landscapes to national parks, wildlife conservations, firefighting networks, ranging from extreme desert conditions to densely forested conservation areas.
Our mission-critical devices are designed to maintain communications where network coverage is limited or where teams are working beyond the reach of existing radio infrastructure. Ou ruggedised devices are tested and proven to perform in harsh conditions, including extreme heat, dust, impact and water exposure, while advanced audio capabilities help ensure clear voice transmission even in noise levels of up to 99 dB. By combining video and multimedia streaming capabilities with dual-mode and PoC solution. Features such as man-down alerts and encryption further help protect both the people on the ground and the information they rely on in the field.
What are the key communication challenges that cost emergency services the most and how Hytera solutions address them?
When lives are at stake, effective coordination is not just important, it is mission critical. Emergency services face communications challenges such as delayed response times, reduced situational awareness and inability to communicate with different teams and coordinate their work together. These issues can increase operational costs and, more importantly, impact public and responder safety.
To provide reliable communications enabling emergency teams to stay connected in remote and disaster-affected areas, Hytera’s portfolio combines fast deployment systems for rapid network deployment, dual-mode terminals and MCX solutions for seamless voice, video, messaging and location services across narrowband and broadband networks, body-worn cameras for real-time situational awareness and digital radios for clear, wide-area mission-critical voice communications. Together, these capabilities create a resilient communications ecosystem that supports collaboration, operational visibility, reliable coverage and effective coordination across agencies and incident environments.
Hytera has a strong global presence, but what does your work with UK emergency services look like today?
We are proud to say that Hytera’s solutions are widely used across the United Kingdom search and rescue groups and public safety organisations. For example, Hytera’s Fast Deployment solutions have helped UK search and rescue teams in northern England extend uninterrupted communications across wide and remote areas, supporting better coordination when teams are spread across challenging terrain.
What is the game-changer communication solutions you have introduced recently?
One of the most significant developments in mission-critical communications is the convergence of narrowband and broadband technologies, and Hytera’s PDC690 and PNC660 are excellent examples of this transformation.
The PDC690 breaks down the barriers between traditional DMR and broadband communications, enabling seamless communications between DMR network and public network in a single device.
The PNC660 combines broadband push-to-talk, voice, video and real-time data in one rugged terminal, giving responders instant access to the critical information they need to make faster decisions in the field.
Together, these devices help emergency services improve situational awareness, enhance coordination across agencies, and reduce the need for multiple devices, giving frontline teams access to the information they need when every second matters.
With innovations such as the PNC660 and PDC690, Hytera is bringing the future of emergency communications to the front line today.
Where does the PNC660 fit for an emergency service and what does broadband push-to-talk give a responder that a conventional radio can’t?
The PNC660 is ideal for emergency services that need more than voice call alone. While conventional radios provide reliable push-to-talk communications, the PNC660 combines broadband push-to-talk with video, multimedia messaging, location services and real-time data access in a single device. This gives responders greater situational awareness and enables them to share live information from the field, helping command teams make faster and better-informed decisions. Whether coordinating cross-service operations, complex incidents or operating across wide geographic areas, the PNC660 extends communications beyond voice, bringing together the critical data responders need in today’s operational environment.
For a service with an established DMR network, what’s the case for moving to the HP785?
The HP785 offers improved receiver sensitivity and noise cancellation to improve audio quality in poor signal areas and high noise environments. The new battery design provides longer operating time between charges and can be recharged more quickly. The large display and updated user interface provide easier access to important functions and provides Bluetooth connectivity for voice and data functions.
You’ve launched PDC690. What impact do you think this could have for emergency services and how does it reflect Hytera’s broader direction?
The PDC690 transforms how emergency services communicate and coordinate by acting as a gateway between DMR and PoC networks, enabling seamless communication between different communication technologies. It gives responders greater operational flexibility, particularly when operating beyond traditional radio coverage, while providing improved access to critical data and enabling more effective collaboration across teams and locations.
The PDC690 reflects Hytera’s mission to innovate for a safer world by helping emergency services bridge the gap between traditional mission-critical communications and next-generation broadband technologies. It enables organisations to benefit from the strengths of both radio and broadband networks, enhancing safety, efficiency and operational effectiveness. With innovations such as the PDC690, Hytera is delivering the future of emergency communications today.
Your fast-deployment and mission-critical solution ranges stand out. Can you talk us through how they make the biggest difference and where they can be used?
Our fast deployment solutions are designed to provide communications in remote areas or when traditional infrastructure (such as LTE) is unavailable. The products are designed to run without needing an external power supply and can create their own radio network to allow communication over a larger area. GPS allows the on-site Command and Control centre to monitor the location of the units and the location of the personnel to ensure their safety in hazardous environments. Their design allows for portability and operation in harsh environments while maintaining clear communications.
Body-worn camera is now standard across many services, so the differentiators are in the detail. What puts Hytera body cameras ahead of the camera’s emergency services are using today?
Hytera’s approach to body-worn cameras goes beyond evidential recording. Our body cameras are designed to become an integral part of the mission-critical communications ecosystem, enabling frontline teams to capture, share and access valuable data in real time.
The SC880 takes this capability to the next level by combining a body-worn camera with broadband communications in a single device. This reduces the need for personnel to carry multiple devices while enabling video capture, live streaming, voice communications and real-time data sharing from the field. For emergency services, this means greater operational efficiency and a clear picture of unfolding incidents.
The SC700 is designed for organisations that require a rugged, reliable and easy-to-use body-worn camera, along with secure data management capabilities. Its long operational endurance and ability to capture high-quality visuals, even in low-light conditions, make it ideally suited to demanding frontline environments where reliability is essential.
Together, the SC880 and SC700 demonstrate how modern body-worn cameras are evolving from standalone recording devices into connected operational tools that help emergency services respond more safely, effectively and efficiently.
How do you work with your partners to get the right technology into the hands of end-users? What does that distribution model give an emergency service that buying direct wouldn’t?
By working closely with our partners, Hytera enables them to apply their specialist expertise and select the most appropriate technology to meet each customer’s specific operational requirements. We provide the technical backbone that supports deployment, maintenance and ongoing service delivery, while continually introducing new technologies and innovations that create further value for end users.
What’s next for Hytera when it comes to supporting emergency services?
As a leader in critical communications, Hytera is driving the transition from traditional mission-critical communications to broadband technologies, helping emergency services communicate more effectively, efficiently and securely.
We are investing in next-generation solutions that combine advanced broadband capabilities, artificial intelligence and mission-critical communications to support the demanding needs of frontline teams. Recent innovations and product launches, including the W60 and PDC690, reflect our vision of delivering greater capability within a single device. These solutions enable teams to carry fewer devices while accessing a wider range of functions, improving situational awareness, bridging the gap between narrowband and broadband communications, and reducing the operational burden on emergency personnel.
Looking ahead, Hytera will continue to integrate the latest communication technologies and AI-driven features to support the evolving needs of emergency services and help frontline teams operate more safely, effectively and efficiently.
Hytera is exhibiting at The Emergency Tech Show at the NEC in Birmingham on 16 and 17 September. You can find them at stand D85. Register to attend here.
