FAQ

If you have a problem or question not answered on this page, please consider submitting a question to the WAVE Connections Forum.  If you are a first-time visitor to the forum, you will be required to register.
 

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What is WAVE Connections?
WAVE Connections is a communications service designed to expose users to the power and flexibility of secure, push-to-talk communications using almost any type of modern smartphone device over any wireless network including 2.5G, 3G, 4G and Wi-Fi. Using your mobile device and network of choice, you can talk and listen to others in the same way you would use a walkie-talkie or a full-featured radio handset, by pushing your ‘talk’ button to talk and releasing it to receive audio.

Is WAVE Connections a free service?
The WAVE Connections Beta service is free and anyone can trial the service at no cost and with no commitment.  
 
Why is WAVE Connections different?
Many people are familiar with Sprint’s Nextel brand of ‘walkie talkie’ enabled phones that allow push-to-talk (i.e. no dialing) to another Nextel handset. Many other wireless providers also offer a service with similar capabilities. In both cases, users are forced to choose a single provider for their push-to-talk service and the two services will not work together.  With WAVE Connections, any supported mobile device running a WAVE Mobile Communicator application can send and receive audio from any other similarly equipped device, irrespective of which wireless networks are involved.

Who will benefit from WAVE Connections?
WAVE Connections is ideal as a business productivity tool, connecting mobile workers and allowing instant communications between individuals and groups in the office, in the field or at home. Office and field workers in the transportation, security, retail, utility, energy, healthcare, hospitality and many others can benefit from instant communication between their work colleagues.

How does WAVE Connections ‘work’?
WAVE Connections creates a connection between your smartphone and an Internet-based ‘cloud’ application called WAVE.  The WAVE application is accessed over your service provider network. Another device would access the WAVE application in the same way but possibly over a different network. WAVE can then connect together these two, and many other devices, allowing you to talk to each other. You’re not making phone calls from one device to another.  You’re making a data connection called voice-over-IP (VoIP).

I thought WAVE was the two-way radio interoperability solution?
It is. WAVE Connections is built using WAVE software, but access to radio networks is not enabled.  In any other real-world application of WAVE software, voice communications from radio networks could also be shared over a push-to-talk service.    

Is WAVE Connections a conference call?
WAVE Connections is not a conference call. WAVE Connections uses your device’s data network to connect you. WAVE software creates a virtual meeting in the internet ‘cloud’. Any device using WAVE Connections that is logged in and tuned to the appropriate Talk Group participates in the conversation. Because WAVE Connections uses Internet Protocol (IP) to create connections, it does not matter if there are 2 or 200 people on the Talk Group. In fact, the amount of traffic over the wireless connection for each device is the same regardless of the number of participants.

Can you give me WAVE Connections user example?
Let’s say that I own a HTC Evo 4G smartphone running Android OS 2.2. My preferred carrier is Sprint and I have a family plan with unlimited data. You, on the other hand, have an HTC Touch Pro2 running Windows Mobile 6.1 on the Verizon network, with an unlimited calling and data plan. Both of us can download the appropriate WAVE Mobile Communicator application and, within a few minutes, we could be communicating in walkie-talkie, push-to-talk mode. Now imagine adding all of your work colleagues to your ‘talk group’. It would be like a ‘Facebook’ for audio friends. And the real beauty of the technology is that you’re already paying for the chat through your data plan.  No calling charges are added to your bill, so its free carrier-to-carrier talk! 

How big is the WAVE Connections network?
The world’s largest push-to-talk network is the WAVE Connections network. Why? Because WAVE Connections uses every available service provider network to create universal coverage. Sprint to AT&T? No problem. Verizon to China Mobile? Sure. Vodaphone (UK) to my corporate Wi-Fi network?  Absolutely. With WAVE Connections your push-to-talk service is anywhere you have network access.
 
What do I need to try WAVE Connections?
Each WAVE Connections user needs a smartphone device running a WAVE Mobile Communicator application.  Each user can use their own smartphone and they can all be different. Everything else resides in the ‘cloud’.  Currently, WAVE Mobile Connectors are available for Android, select BlackBerry and Windows Mobile devices.  iPhone devices will be supported later in 2011.  See the full list of supported devices.

What is a WAVE Mobile Communicator?
A WAVE Mobile Communicator is a software application that lets your smartphone operate as a push-to-talk device. 

What is a Talk Group?
A Talk Group refers to the group of people able to communicate with one another on their own private channel within WAVE Connections. Talk Groups are sometimes called Channels. If you were to create a Talk Group called ‘Maintenance’ and invite members to join it, only those members of the Maintenance Talk Group could listen in and talk with other members.

Can I talk with two-way radios from my smartphone using WAVE Connections?  
No, although that is a deliberate limitation of the WAVE Connections service and not WAVE.  WAVE is used every day, around the world, by organizations that need to connect two-way radios with other systems like PCs and telephones. The WAVE Connections service is intended only to demonstrate push-to-talk capability between supported smartphones over any service provider. Learn more about WAVE.

What is a ‘cloud’ application?
Cloud computing describes applications that are made accessible through the Internet. These cloud applications use large data centers and powerful servers that host applications and services, like WAVE Connections. Anyone with a suitable Internet connection and a standard browser can access a cloud application.

If I want to try WAVE Connections, what mobile device must I have?
All participants in a WAVE Connections community must have a WAVE Mobile Communicator client on their mobile device. WAVE Mobile Communicators are available for Android, select BlackBerry and Windows Mobile device.  See the full list of supported devices.
 
Can I use my Android of iPhone devices for a WAVE Connections service?
Not at the moment, but soon. Currently WAVE Mobile Communicators are available for Android, select BlackBerry and Windows Mobile device.  See the full list of supported devices. Check back regularly for announcements on support for additional devices like iPhone and Phone 7.
 
What type of operating system must my mobile device be using?
Currently WAVE Mobile Communicators are available for select versions of Android, BlackBerry OS and Windows Mobile. 
 
Does my Smartphone have a ‘push-to-talk’ button?
Yes it does. We use key mapping to allow you to select a button on your device to act as your push-to-talk button. It might be the menu button, for example, the camera button or the space bar on your key pad. The WAVE Mobile Communicator will default to a specific button, but you can change that as you see fit.  If you use a supported touch screen device, the push-to-talk button is on the screen.

How do I download the WAVE Connections application?
It’s very easy. Visit the WAVE Connections sign-up page here. Follow the online instructions to register and download the application to your mobile device.  One you have applied for the WAVE Connections service.
 
If I need to replace or wish to upgrade my phone, can I transfer my WAVE Connections application?
That’s easy. All you will need to do is download the application once more and activate your account using your original login and password.
 
Who can I contact if I have questions or need technical assistance?
As well as this FAQ, we’ve created a WAVE Connections Forum which will allow you to ask questions and get answers from us and other users.  Try it out by going to the WAVE Connections Forum.

How does a BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES) affect my service?
A Blackberry Enterprise Server (BES) is the middleware software from Research In Motion (RIM) that is deployed by large number of enterprises’ IT department. Among its many functions, an IT department may use a BES to dictate how Blackberry devices communicate with Internet website and resources. In some instances, your IT department may adopt a very strict BlackBerry BES policy that requires all internet traffic be encrypted and routed through RIM servers. In such a case, your WAVE Connections application may fail to connect to the WAVE servers or you may experience significant delays in application response and/or poor audio quality. A simple change to your organization’s BES settings by your IT department may solve the problem.

My personal BlackBerry can’t connect to WAVE Connections
An internet connection is required to use WAVE Connections. If you are having difficulty connecting to the internet contact your wireless service provider and/or you can check the Access Point Name (APN) settings on your device. The web page below has a fairly complete list of APN settings for major carriers, but you should always verify your setting with your carrier.

http://forums.pinstack.com/f24/tcp_apn_wap_gateway_port_carrier_settings-360/

How do I remove the WAVE Connections application from my smartphone device?
That depends on your device, but in general you will simply locate your application folder and delete/remove the WAVE Mobile Communicator. 
 
How do I disengage from the application/network if I want to be unavailable?
That’s simple. You would simply exit the application as you would any other. If the WAVE Mobile Communicator is not logged in you will not be seen by others or hear any audio.
 
How much room will this application use on my smartphone?  Will it slow it down?
Because the bulk of all voice ‘processing’ is done in the WAVE Connections service ‘cloud’, the WAVE Mobile Communicator itself can be a very small application that minimizes processor, memory and battery utilization.

Can I still receive phone calls and text messages if I’m using the PTT function?
Yes. WAVE Connections is a data application so voice calls will take precedence by default and always ring. You can choose to ignore them or answer the voice call and toggle back and forth between the two conversations (having a voice call and PTT running simultaneously is not supported in wireless networks less than 3G) Text messaging is not impacted when using WAVE Connections.

Are my WAVE Connections conversations secured?
When in operation, WAVE Connections creates a secure tunnel through a carrier's data network using
the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), a National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) specification, for the encryption of electronic data, so your voice communications between devices is incredibly secure. In fact the U.S. Government uses AES to protect classified information, so you can really trust its security.

Is there a limit to the number of users on a Talk Group?
No. The number of users on a Talk Group is almost limitless. For the purposes of this free trial service, we have limited the number to five (5) users per Talk Group.

Can I see who else is on a Talk Group?
Yes. There is an indication on the main screen that displays the number of people (including you) logged into that particular Talk Group. If you select 'Presence' from the main screen,you'll see the names of all those active Talk Group members.

Can I select between my wireless carrier and Wi-Fi?
Yes. If your Smartphone supports Wi-Fi you can select from either ‘Mobile Network’ or ‘Wi-Fi Network’ from your Mobile Communicator menu. Mobile Network is selected by default.

How do I tell if I am connected to WAVE Connections through my carrier or over Wi-Fi?
WAVE Connections uses a green dot on the Mobile Communicator’s title bar to indicate your connection. When the green dot is directly to the left of the signal strength antenna of your wireless carrier it indicates connection via your wireless carrier. When the green dot is immediately to the left of your Wi-Fi signal strength icon it indicates connection via Wi-Fi. An orange triangle indicates an connection problem with your chosen network.

Why is there a lock icon on my talk button?
The lock icon indicates that your connection through the wireless network is fully encrypted.
 
How do I know when I am able to talk on the Talk Group?
WAVE Connections works much like a two-way radio. When you press the talk button either using a hard key or using the touch screen on supported devices the green ‘Talk’ button will momentarily pause while your device grabs control of the Talk Group. Once you have control of the Talk Group the button will turn red and will read ‘Talking’. Until your device displays the red ‘Talking’ you have not been granted permission on the Talk Group and your audio will not be put on the Talk Group. If you do not get the red ‘Talking’ button there is either someone else already speaking or you may have a connection issue.

What is the difference between ‘Close’ and ‘Exit’ on the application menu?
Closing the application removes it as an active screen on your device but the application will continue to run in the background allowing you to hear the conversation on your selected Talk Group. Exiting the application logs you off of WAVE Connections and you will no longer receive any audio or be visible on the Channel Presence list.