MCPTT & Broadband PTT Market: 2025-2030 - Opportunities, Challenges, Strategies & Forecasts

MCPTT (Mission-Critical PTT) is an evolution of PoC or PTToC (PTT-Over-Cellular) technology aimed at meeting or exceeding the performance of mission-critical group communications in digital LMR (Land Mobile Radio) systems, such as APCO P25 and TETRA. Besides enabling voice services with fast call setup times, clear audio quality in high-noise environments, priority/preemption, and other differentiating features, MCPTT solutions may also incorporate MCVideo (Mission-Critical Video) and MCData (Mission-Critical Data) capabilities. The three services are collectively referred to as MCX or MCS (Mission-Critical PTT, Video & Data) in 3GPP terminology. MCPTX and PTX (Push-to-Anything) are additional marketing terms that some suppliers use.

It is worth noting that both carrier-integrated and OTT (Over-the-Top) solutions for non-mission critical PoC or broadband PTT services have been in existence since the 2000s, aimed at improving collaboration and productivity for commercial business users across a diverse range of sectors. If iDEN - a 2G cellular technology - is taken into account, the very first PoC deployments date back even further to the 1990s. MCPTT and broader MCX services are a more recent addition to the market and are largely driven by public safety broadband, FRMCS (Future Railway Mobile Communication System) readiness, utility grid transformation, and Industry 4.0 digitization initiatives.

Many, but not all, of these aforementioned MCX deployments are supported by eMBMS (Evolved Multimedia Broadcast-Multicast Service) technology to facilitate large-scale group communications in a resource-efficient manner, particularly in the PPDR (Public Protection & Disaster Relief) sector. Additionally, multiple options are available for LMR-broadband interoperability, including 3GPP-compliant IWF (Interworking Function) solutions for network-to-network integration between LMR and MCX systems, which have recently been deployed in national markets as diverse as the United States, Sweden, Australia, and Argentina.

While some end user organizations are already migrating from legacy LMR systems to broadband networks, the general consensus in the public safety community is that a complete LMR-to-broadband transition is not possible without the commercial availability of 5G NR sidelink-enabled chipsets. 5G sidelink technology enables 3GPP devices to communicate directly without relying on network infrastructure, much like direct mode operation in LMR systems, which is especially useful for firefighters and other first responders operating in coverage-limited spaces inside buildings, stairwells, multi-level basements, and tunnels or disaster scenarios in remote locations not served by the network.

To address the gap in D2D (Device-to-Device) communications functionality, frontrunners have initially adopted interim solutions, including LMR-based RSMs (Remote Speaker Microphones) and hybrid LMR-broadband devices. Following recent lab and field demonstrations, there are also realistic hopes of seeing production-grade implementations of MCX over the 5G sidelink interface in the coming years.

The report has the following key findings:

• The research estimates that MCPTT and broadband PTT service revenue will grow at a CAGR of approximately 11% between 2025 and 2028, eventually accounting for more than $12 billion by the end of 2028. Although non-critical broadband PTT services will continue to constitute the bulk of subscriptions, much of this growth will be driven by 3GPP-compliant MCX (MCPTT, MCVideo & MCData) service offerings, which are increasingly being adopted by business and mission-critical end user organizations of all sizes across a host of industries. 
• Examples range from the KNPA (Korean National Police Agency) and NFA (Korean National Fire Agency) with their 140,000 and 20,000 MCX-equipped user terminals respectively to mid-sized and smaller organizations including but not limited to the City of Buenos Aires, Icon Water, Turkish National Police in Adana, NS (Dutch Railways), Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, Rijkswaterstaat, WLE (Westphalian State Railway), SGP (Société du Grand Paris), Groupe ADP, DHL, Faroese first responders, AdventHealth, Georgia State Patrol, Dallas (Georgia) Police Department, and many state/local first responder agencies in the United States.
• The migration period from LMR networks to 3GPP MCX services could last for many years, especially in national markets such as the United States, where decisions are made regionally and thousands of different LMR systems have been deployed independently by a number of local and state level agencies.
• Some of the aforementioned organizations - including the KNPA, NFA, Paris airports, AdventHealth, Georgia State Patrol, and Dallas (Georgia) Police Department - have already switched to MCPTT over LTE as their primary means of mission-critical voice communications, with their own distinct migration strategies. For example, while AdventHealth’s EMS (Emergency Medical Services) and security teams in Florida have completely replaced their LMR network, Georgia State Patrol continues to retain its existing P25 infrastructure as a backup system.
• AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Southern Linc, Telus, Bell Canada, SFR, KPN, Swisscom, Telia, Føroya Tele, Plus (Polkomtel), STC (Saudi Telecom Company), Omantel, Telstra, and Telecom Argentina are among the many public mobile operators that have either deployed or are in the process of launching MCPTT service offerings to expand their B2B (Business-to-Business) customer base among first responders and other critical communications user groups.
• MCPTT functionality has also been implemented in purpose-built critical communications broadband networks such as South Korea’s Safe-Net and LTE-R networks; United States’ FirstNet; United Kingdom’s ESN; France’s RRF; Hub One’s private cellular network in Paris airports; Spain's SIRDEE; Italian Ministry of Interior's public safety LTE platform; Tampnet’s offshore private 4G/5G networks; Finland's VIRVE 2.0 mission-critical broadband service; Türkiye’s KETUM hybrid narrowband-broadband system; Oman’s public safety broadband network; Qatar MOI’s private LTE network; and Nedaa’s 4G network for critical communications in Dubai.
• Carrier and critical broadband network-integrated MCX service offerings are typically paired with higher priority and preemption over non-critical traffic within the primary carrier network. An additional measure for enhanced resilience is the incorporation of dynamic national roaming and multi-operator redundancy solutions, which enable MCX users to benefit from the overlapping coverage of alternative carriers by providing backup access to one or more secondary networks instead of relying solely on a single network.
• Although the delivery of MCX traffic over unicast bearers is sufficient in most day-to-day use cases, the integration of eMBMS and 5G MBS (Multicast-Broadcast Services) functionality is particularly beneficial for improving resource efficiency and scalability during major public safety incidents or emergency scenarios involving group communications among a high density of first responders coming into a service area. 
• Considered a key technical enabler for the transition from legacy LMR systems, multicast-broadcast technology has been implemented by South Korea’s Safe-Net, FirstNet, Southern Linc, Spain’s SIRDEE, Italian Ministry of Interior, Qatar MOI, and several other mission-critical broadband networks.
• Multiple options are available for LMR-broadband interoperability, including 3GPP-compliant IWF solutions for network-to-network integration between LMR and MCX systems, which have recently been deployed in national markets as diverse as the United States, Sweden, Australia, and Argentina.
• Off-network direct mode or D2D communications is another feature that is considered mandatory in the public safety community for a complete LMR-to-broadband transition. Following recent lab and field demonstrations, there are realistic hopes of seeing production-grade implementations of direct mode MCX over the 5G NR sidelink interface in the coming years.  
• In the absence of 5G sidelink support in existing device chipsets, frontrunners have adopted interim solutions to address the gap in D2D communications functionality. For example, despite having transitioned from an analog LMR system to Føroya Tele’s KIMA mission-critical broadband service, Tórshavn Fire Brigade’s smoke divers still rely on a small number of UHF radios for direct mode communications in basements, buildings, ships, and other locations where cellular coverage may be weak or unavailable.
• In France, the RRF network’s operating agency ACMOSS (Agency for Operational Security & Rescue Mobile Communications) has introduced an RSM-based service continuity solution for point-to-point connectivity between users. The so-called “Micro Pear” RSM unit connects to an RRF broadband terminal via Bluetooth or a cable and supports direct mode operation using AES-256 encrypted DMR Tier II technology in the 380-430 MHz band.
• Neighboring United Kingdom’s ESMCP (Emergency Services Mobile Communications Program) is considering the procurement of dual-mode devices to be used for both the ESN broadband network and TETRA-based D2D communications, following the cancellation of a previous tender for dedicated TETRA RSMs as companion D2D devices. 
• Among other examples, Georgia State Patrol is using hybrid P25-LTE devices, which support MCPTT voice communications and broadband data access over Southern Linc’s LTE network with the ability to revert to LMR connectivity if required, including direct mode operation.
• Aside from off-network communications between devices, HPUE (High-Power User Equipment), vehicular relays, and satellite-based NTN (Non-Terrestrial Network) access solutions are also being explored by the critical communications industry for extending the geographical reach of PTT voice, messaging, and other services.
• The FirstNet Authority and AT&T are pursuing the provision of supplemental Band 14/n14 (700 MHz) NTN coverage from LEO (Low Earth Orbit) satellites to close terrestrial service gaps across the United States and reduce reliance on rapidly deployable network assets for restoring communications in areas affected by disasters. 
• Finland’s Erillisverkot (State Security Networks Group), NSW (New South Wales) Telco Authority, and other critical communications network operators are evaluating LEO satellite links as a means of coverage expansion in hard-to-reach areas or during natural disasters when terrestrial infrastructure has been disrupted.

Forecast Segmentation

Market forecasts are provided for each of the following submarkets and their subcategories:

• MCPTT & Broadband PTT Submarkets
  • MCX/PTT Software & Core Infrastructure
  • End User Terminal Equipment
  • Subscriptions & Service Revenue
• Standards Compliance
  • 3GPP Standards-Compliant MCX Solutions
  • Non-MCX Broadband PTT Solutions
• Software & Core Infrastructure Segments
  • MCX/PTT Client & Application Server Platforms
  • eMBMS/5G MBS Middleware & Network Components
  • LMR-Broadband Interworking Solutions
  • Dispatch & Control Room Systems
  • Recording & Lawful Interception
• Device Form Factors
  • Smartphones
  • Rugged Handsets
  • In-Vehicle Terminals
  • Accessories & Others
• Device Access Technologies
  • Broadband-Only MCX/PTT Devices
  • Hybrid LMR-Broadband Devices
• Vertical Industries
  • Public Safety
  • Defense
  • Transportation
  • Utilities
  • Oil & Gas
  • Mining
  • Construction
  • Manufacturing
  • Healthcare
  • Retail & Hospitality
  • Others
• Regional Markets
  • North America
  • Asia Pacific
  • Europe
  • Middle East & Africa
  • Latin & Central America

Key Questions Answered 

• How big is the opportunity for MCPTT and broadband PTT services?
• What trends, drivers, and challenges are influencing its growth?
• What will the market size be in 2028 and at what rate will it grow?
• Which submarkets and verticals will see the highest percentage of growth?
• What is the status of 3GPP-compliant MCX and non-critical broadband PTT adoption in each region?
• How are public safety broadband, FRMCS, utility grid transformation, and industrial digitization initiatives accelerating the uptake of MCX services?
• How do MCPTT call setup time and voice quality compare with those of digital LMR systems?
• How will critical communications users manage the transition from narrowband systems to 3GPP MCX services in the coming years?
• What will be the role of hybrid LMR-MCX networks that unify mission-critical communications over LMR and broadband technologies? 
• How does the 3GPP IWF support system-level interworking with legacy technologies such as P25, TETRA, and GSM-R? 
• How does eMBMS/5G MBS technology facilitate large-scale group voice, video, and data transmissions in a resource-efficient manner? 
• What interim solutions are being adopted to support off-network communications in the absence of 5G NR sidelink-equipped chipsets?
• What are the future prospects of dual-mode LMR/broadband devices that are purpose-built for critical communications?
• How can NTN access via satellites close terrestrial coverage gaps for PTT services?
• Who are the key ecosystem players and what are their strategies?
• What strategies should MCX and PTT technology suppliers, mobile operators, and critical communications service providers adopt to remain competitive?