Bell Push to Talk 9.0

Announcing Bell Push to Talk (PTT) 9.0. As part of the 9.0 release, new and existing Bell customers will benefit from the following new features if they choose to download the software update.

Integrated secure messaging*
You can now use the Bell PTT app for more than just voice communications. Easily send text messages, multimedia content (e.g., images, video, recorded audio), or location information (e.g., specific address or GPS coordinates) to users in your Talkgroup.

Location enhancements*
PTT supervisors and dispatchers can now create a geo-fence and receive notifications when fleet members enter or leave the defined area. These geo-fences can be static or follow the supervisor as they move, helping them stay notified of those nearby. Supervisors can also now initiate calls from within the map window by selecting a user’s location marker.

Voice message fallback*
Automatically records and delivers an incoming PTT call as a voice message when the recipient is not available, busy, or out of the coverage area.

Radio Mode enhancements
Radio Mode now supports 96 Talkgroups (increasing from eight) and uses the concept of zones to group Talkgroup channels.

* Data connectivity is required with use of these features and standard data charges may apply.

How can I download the Bell PTT 9.0 mobile app?
Existing PTT users will need to update their mobile apps using their respective app stores. Sonim devices will require an application update via the App Updater tool within the native OS menu. First-time users will need to manually download the Bell PTT mobile app from their respective app stores.

Will I be charged extra for the using the new features?
The use of the new Integrated secure messaging, Voice message fallback and Location enhancements features requires data connectivity and will result in standard data usage charges. To ensure all users are able to try out the new features, Bell will only begin charging for data usage associated with Bell PTT effective April 15, 2020. For users with data usage blocked, use of the new features will automatically become blocked when using mobile data at the end of the promotional trial period.

Users can choose to connect to a Wi-Fi network for data connectivity when mobile data is not available. Users with mobile data blocked on their account will not be able to take advantage of these new features unless they are connected to Wi-Fi. Users should ensure they have sufficient data included in their plan to support the use of these new features, as required.

How do I disable Integrated secure messaging?
Instructions on how to disable the feature through the Corporate Admin Tool (CAT) are available in this PDF, or you can call 1 855 272-0776 to enable data blocking. Please note that PTT Location enhancements cannot be deactivated.

Do I have to update my mobile app?
Users that would like to maintain their current experience can remain on the current version of the app installed on their device. Users that would like to use the new features must update their mobile app to version 9.0.

If I don’t update my mobile app, will I still be able to use Bell PTT?
Yes. Users on earlier versions of the Bell PTT mobile app will still be able to use the PTT calling service, but will not be able to take advantage of the new features.

A file was shared within my Talkgroup. How do I save and access the content?
You can save a received file from any history entry on the details screen from the History tab.

1. From the History tab, find the conversation that contains the file you want to save and tap the History Details button.
2. Tap the file. The file preview screen displays.
3. To view the file, tap the File icon located in the center of the screen.
4. To send the file to someone, tap the Share icon and choose an option for sending.
5. To save the file, tap Save to Files to browse for a location to save it.

Note: for iOS users, the Files app or an alternative file manager app is required to access the file. Some file types may require downloading additional applications for proper access to the file. Please see the device user manual for more information.