Zello is an application startup located in Austin, Texas. The application emulates push-to-talk (PTT) walkie-talkies over cellular networks. The apps is available for Android, iOS, Blackberry, Windows Phone, Windows PC, rugged mobile devices and two-way radios. Zello is free while the Zello@Work application is free for up to five users. For more than five users Zello@Work costs $6.00 per user / per month. Perks that Zello@Work offers include private networks, dedicated servers, management interfaces for users and channels, higher security, cloud history and tech support.
Zello turns your phone into a walkie talkie and works anywhere in the world as long as you are connected to the internet! Please note however that the Zello app cannot function without cellular data service or an available Internet (WiFi) connection on your cell phone. Users can join channels and instantly send voice messages or photos, and the app even works over older 2G networks.
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.
According to the Zello Support web-site: "Starting in June 2017 all private voice messages in Zello are end to end encrypted when you are using a version of the app released after 06/06/2017. Voice in public channels is not encrypted as they are open to the public and anyone can listen."
Zello's encryption protocol is:
- 1024 bit RSA for authentication, digital signatures and secure media session keys exchange.
- 256 bit AES for audio and call alerts.
- TLS for control traffic encryption between Zello client and Zello server
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 several YouTube videos.
I like Zello, and recommend it a one method of communication. There are some limitations to the Zello App - it requires an Internet connection, and it is possible for governments to block Zello; but overall Zello is an excellent communications tool.
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