Clear-Com has unveiled FreeSpeak Cell, a cellular-based wireless intercom system that uses LTE and 5G networks to support full-duplex communications across large-scale production environments.
The system, debuted at NAB 2026, is designed to extend intercom coverage beyond the limits of traditional RF-based deployments by operating over public and private cellular infrastructure rather than relying on local spectrum coordination.
That gives FreeSpeak Cell a clear role in live production environments where pressure on UHF, DECT and Wi-Fi bands continues to grow, particularly in large venues and high-density event settings.
Bob Boster, president of Clear-Com, said: “FreeSpeak Cell represents a shift in how productions approach wireless intercom. We are applying carrier-grade cellular infrastructure to professional communications, expanding both scale and coverage.”
From a technical standpoint, FreeSpeak Cell is aimed at large and distributed operations where conventional wireless intercom systems can run into coverage limits, channel constraints or spectrum coordination issues. Clear-Com says the platform supports deployments of 100 or more beltpacks and can scale to hundreds of users depending on network configuration.
Because it runs over LTE and 5G, the system is designed to support communications across much larger areas than traditional venue-bound wireless intercom platforms. That could make it suitable for campuses, large properties and productions spread across multiple zones rather than a single contained site.
FreeSpeak Cell supports operation over LTE and 5G networks, including CBRS private LTE (Band 48) in the US, and includes dual SIM capability with both physical SIM and eSIM support. It also offers global radio support across 700–900 MHz and 1700–4200 MHz bands.
The dual SIM design allows users to configure the system for private cellular infrastructure, public carrier networks or a hybrid of both depending on the deployment.
The launch also reflects wider shifts in venue and broadcast infrastructure. Private LTE and 5G networks are becoming more common, while spectrum availability for traditional wireless systems is under increasing pressure in some markets due to congestion and regulatory reallocation.
In practical terms, FreeSpeak Cell reduces the need for the transceivers, cabling and frequency planning typically associated with large DECT- or UHF-based intercom deployments. Instead, productions can leverage existing cellular infrastructure where available, potentially simplifying setup and making it easier to adapt communications as production layouts change.
Clear-Com positions the new system as a complement to its existing FreeSpeak portfolio rather than a replacement. While FreeSpeak II remains focused on contained venues and localised productions, FreeSpeak Cell is aimed at wide-area deployments requiring greater scale and geographic reach.
At launch, the platform integrates with the Eclipse HX digital matrix. Support for Arcadia Central Station is expected a few months after release, while integration with Gen-IC, Clear-Com’s cloud-based intercom platform, is planned for later this year.
FreeSpeak Cell is scheduled to begin shipping in spring 2026 in the United States, with additional regional certifications expected to follow during the year.