How to choose the Cat 1 and Cat 4 for your POC?

7/13/20261 min read

When selecting modules for public network push-to-talk (PoC) devices, choosing between Cat.1 and Cat.4 is crucial.

1. Speed and Performance
Cat.4 offers high bandwidth with theoretical download speeds up to 150 Mbps and upload speeds of 50 Mbps. In contrast, Cat.1 provides medium speeds with 10 Mbps download and 5 Mbps upload. However, both modules share the same millisecond-level latency and support mobility over 100 km/h. For PoC, Cat.1's speed is more than sufficient for high-quality VoLTE voice transmission.

2. Cost and Power Consumption
Cat.1 has a significant advantage here. Its hardware architecture is simpler and highly integrated, making Cat.1 modules roughly one-third the price of Cat.4 modules. Additionally, Cat.1 consumes much less power, which is ideal for extending the battery life of portable radios.

3. Application Suitability
Cat.4 is designed for high-bandwidth applications like video surveillance, live streaming, and smart grids. For public network intercoms, which primarily require stable voice communication and moderate data transmission, Cat.4 is often overkill. Cat.1 perfectly meets the needs of PoC terminals, offering a highly cost-effective, low-power, and reliable solution.

In conclusion, for public network walkie-talkies, Cat.1 is the optimal choice, balancing performance, cost, and power efficiency.