Zello for Emergency Communication

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Zello (https://zello.com/) is a free walkie-talkie app for smartphones, tablets, laptops and desktop computers. The app requires an Internet connection to work properly, whether it’s through Wi-Fi or a mobile data network. Unlike the standard calls you can make on the device of your choice, Zello connects you to fellow users and radio channels where large groups can talk regardless of distance.

According to Zello:

Zello is designed to make optimal use of whatever network resources are available.

Even if phone towers are down and radio waves are saturated with other signals, Zello cuts through loud and clear, using low-bandwidth 2G connectivity if it has to.

Having a push-to-talk app in your pocket means access to instant or replayable voice communications, text, location and media sharing in one place.

With the help of a gateway, you can even integrate Zello into your existing LMR system and completely eliminate dead zones.

Channel communications are encrypted in transit, and direct messages are encrypted end-to-end, with 1024 bit RSA for identity, 256 bit AES for content, and TLS for traffic management.

 

Zello made the news in June 2013 when Turkish protesters used it to circumvent government censors. As a result, Zello was the top most downloaded application in Turkey during the first week of June 2013. 

In February 2014, it was blocked by CANTV in Venezuela. Zello issued workarounds and patches to overcome the blocks to support approximately 600,000 Venezuelans who have downloaded the application to communicate with each other amidst protests. It "has been one of the most downloaded applications in Ukraine and Venezuela." 

In April 2017, the Roskomnadzor instructed Russian Internet Service Provides to block mobile access to Zello. Under Russia’s data privacy law passed last year, all companies processing the personal data of Russian citizens are obliged to store it on servers within the country’s borders for a half of the year and provide it to law enforcement if necessary. Zello has more than 400,000 users in Russia. In August 2017 during relief efforts following Hurricane Harvey in Texas, Zello became a popular method for communications between volunteer rescuers and people stranded by the widespread flooding. The app received over 6 million signups in one week as Florida residents prepared for Hurricane Irma.


Zello can also be connected by a radio bridge to your computer, allowing you to use your radio to communicate over the Internet. The procedure to do this easy, and demonstrated in this YouTube video.
 
How to Make Zello Crosslink in 4 Easy Steps! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXvhvV57UtM

 

----- While Zello does require an Internet connection (or cellular data) to work, it is often possible to get some sort of Internet access even when other systems are overloaded or non-existent. Zello is an additional communications channel to add to your preparedness planning. Of course, Zello can also be used for non-emergency communications, such as family outings and road-trips.


For personal use, download the free Zello app here: https://zello.com/personal/download/

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