Clear-Com FreeSpeak Cell intercom system

FreeSpeak Cell is a multi-channel, duplex, digital, cellular
intercom system using LTE and 5G infrastructure, which is part of the FreeSpeak® family of products.

Cellular intercom system FreeSpeak Cell is designed to work over public and private LTE and 5G networks, enabling full-duplex wireless communications over wide geographic areas without the need for traditional radio frequency coordination. FreeSpeak Cell is a direct response to the growing congestion of UHF, DECT and Wi-Fi bands, especially in large venues and high-density live event environments.

Unlike traditional wireless intercom systems, which are limited by local spectrum and physical coverage boundaries, FreeSpeak Cell uses cellular networks to support communications over much larger areas with fewer on-site components. „FreeSpeak Cell represents a shift in the manufacturing approach to wireless intercoms,” - said Bob Boster, president of Clear-Com. „We are leveraging carrier-grade cellular infrastructure for professional communications, increasing both scale and reach.”.

Designed for large facilities and complex productions

FreeSpeak Cell is designed for large-scale applications and distributed environments where conventional wireless systems may face channel, coverage or spectrum coordination limitations.

The system supports deployments involving 100 or more beltpack transceivers and can scale to hundreds of users depending on network configuration. Because it operates over LTE and 5G networks, coverage can extend beyond the boundaries of a single building or complex, enabling communication across vast terrains or dispersed production areas.

FreeSpeak Cell supports:

Operation on LTE and 5G networks
CBRS private LTE network (band 48) in the United States
Support for two SIM cards, including a physical SIM card and eSIM
Global radio service in the 700-900 MHz and 1700-4200 MHz bands
The dual-SIM card design allows users to configure access to private mobile networks, public carrier networks or a combination of both, depending on operational needs.

Solution designed for large-scale operations in distributed environments

FreeSpeak Cell complements Clear-Com's existing portfolio of FreeSpeak wireless intercom systems, extending the communication range beyond the physical limitations of traditional radio frequency-based systems. While FreeSpeak II is optimized for indoor facilities and local productions, FreeSpeak Cell is designed for large, distributed environments that require wide coverage, high user density and seamless communication across campuses, facilities or geographically dispersed production zones.

Infrastructure and deployment model

Unlike traditional DECT or UHF-based systems, which require the deployment of local transmitter-receivers throughout a facility, FreeSpeak Cell uses existing cellular infrastructure. In facilities with private LTE or 5G networks, the system can operate on that infrastructure. In other environments, it can use public carrier networks, as coverage and policies permit.

This approach reduces the amount of radio infrastructure required on site for large-scale deployments and simplifies coordination in bandwidth-constrained markets.

The system is designed to support multi-channel, full duplex voice communications in parallel with other processes running on the same network, including data and video applications, depending on the network configuration and available bandwidth.

By relying on cellular infrastructure instead of site-specific RF transmitter-receivers, FreeSpeak Cell can significantly reduce the amount of temporary equipment, cabling and frequency coordination typically required for large-scale productions. This model allows teams to deploy communications faster, scale systems more easily and adapt to changing production layouts without having to reconfigure RF infrastructure.

Industry and spectrum trends

There are several key industry factors contributing to the transition to cellular-based communications. These include the growing congestion of traditional radio bands for intercoms, government-led spectrum reallocations that have reduced available UHF bandwidth in some regions, and extensive investment in private LTE and 5G infrastructure at facilities in the United States and Europe.

In particular, CBRS private cellular bandwidth in the United States has enabled enterprises and facility operators to deploy private LTE networks for operational systems, including communications, point-of-sale, access control and video playback.

FreeSpeak Cell is designed to integrate with these deployments while maintaining compatibility with the broader Clear-Com intercom ecosystem.

Integration with platforms

FreeSpeak Cell currently works with the Eclipse® HX digital matrix platform. Integration with the Arcadia® Central Station platform is expected a few months after launch, and support for Gen-IC®, Clear-Com's cloud-based intercom platform, is planned for the second half of this year.