Data Usage for POC Radios Explained: How Much Internet Do You Really Need?

One of the most common questions from businesses is:
“How much data do POC radios consume?”
Since these devices use 4G/5G or Wi-Fi, companies in the UAE need to budget for SIM cards and data plans. The good news is: PoC radios consume far less data than smartphones — making them cost-effective even for large teams.

No. POC radios are optimized for voice-first communication. Unlike smartphones, they don’t stream video continuously or run heavy apps in the background.

• Average voice transmission = very low bandwidth

• GPS and dispatcher updates add some extra usage

• Occasional image or video sharing uses more

• 1 minute of voice ≈ 500 KB

• 90 minutes of daily voice ≈ 1 GB per month

• Add GPS + dispatcher data ≈ 1.2–1.5 GB per month

• Add buffer for emergencies ≈ 2 GB per month is safe

In most cases, a 2 GB monthly SIM plan is more than enough for each PoC radio user.

Based on UAE telecom operators (Etisalat & du):

• 2 GB / AED 50 per month – Suitable for most business users

• 7 GB / AED 110 per month – For heavy users or teams using video & apps

• Corporate M2M SIMs – Pooled data shared across devices (cost-efficient for big fleets)

Tip: Always request M2M IoT SIMs for radios. They are cheaper, business-focused, and more reliable.

Instead of giving every radio its own 2 GB plan, companies can buy a shared pool of data.

Example:

• 100 radios × 2 GB each = 200 GB needed

• With pooling → company buys 150 GB shared for all devices

• Cost saving = 20–30%

This is especially useful for logistics, large security teams, or hotels with many radios.

• Disable non-essential apps on Android-based POC devices

• Use dispatcher software to monitor usage

• Prefer Wi-Fi in offices or hotels when available

• Train staff to use voice more than multimedia unless needed