Broadcasts (Zenitel Connect)
From Zenitel Wiki
A Broadcast enables efficient one-way audio distribution to multiple devices simultaneously. It is commonly used for public address announcements, operational instructions, emergency notifications, and other situations where information needs to be delivered to many recipients at the same time.
Zenitel Connect supports three broadcast methods:
- Live Speech allows an operator to make a real-time announcement to a Broadcast group. The operator dials the Broadcast number to establish the Broadcast session, after which an optional attention chime is played to the receiving devices. The operator then presses the PTT (Push-To-Talk) button to open the microphone and speak to the group.
- Record Dispatch allows the operator to record a message and then distribute the recording to the Broadcast group. This method is particularly useful where live announcements may be affected by acoustic feedback.
- Message Dispatch automatically plays a predefined audio message to the Broadcast group, providing a simple and consistent way to distribute recurring announcements.
Together, these methods provide a flexible announcement platform that supports both live and automated audio distribution.
Configuration
Broadcast Group Creation
To create a Broadcast group, navigate to Features > Broadcasts in the Zenitel Connect web interface.
By default, no Broadcast groups are configured. Click the Add 
icon and enter the required parameters. When finished, click Save to create the Broadcast group.
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| A system configured with four Broadcast groups |
The following parameters are available:
- Directory Number: The number users dial to initiate the Broadcast. (Recommended numbers are 840 - 859).
- Name: A descriptive name for the Broadcast group.
- Priority: The call priority assigned to the Broadcast. Valid values are 1-250. The default value is 70 (Normal).
- Call Timeout: Defines the maximum duration of the Broadcast before it is automatically terminated. The timeout can also be disabled.
- Multicast Address A read-only parameter used for audio distribution. The multicast address is only displayed when the Broadcast group contains at least one ITSV Video Phone or Generic SIP device as a member.
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ITSV Video Phones and Generic SIP devices can be added as members of a Broadcast group and can receive Broadcast audio. However, some Broadcast features described in this article are only supported by native Zenitel devices acting as Broadcast recipients. |
Broadcast Membership
After creating a Broadcast group, devices can be added as members of the group.
- Select the broadcast group by clicking on the radio button next to the desired entry.
- In the Devices list, select one or more devices that should participate in the Broadcast.
- Click the right arrow
to add the selected devices to the Members list. - To remove devices from the Broadcast group, select the devices in the Members list and click the left arrow
.
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| Managing membership of a Broadcast group. |
The Devices list displays all devices that are available to be added to the selected Broadcast group, while the Members list displays the devices that currently belong to the group.
Note: A device can be a member of multiple Broadcast groups simultaneously.
Live Speech
Live Speech is the default Broadcast mode and is used for real-time announcements. The operator dials the Broadcast directory number to establish the Broadcast session. Once connected, an optional attention chime is played, after which the operator can make an announcement to all members of the Broadcast group.
To configure a Broadcast for Live Speech:
- Navigate to Features > Broadcasts.
- Select the desired Broadcast group.
- Click the Call Options icon
in the upper-left corner. - Verify that Mode is set to Live Speech.
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| Live Speech settings |
The following settings are specific to the Live Speech mode:
- Mode: Select Live Speech to enable real-time announcements.
- Chime: An attention chime played on all receiving devices before the announcement starts. The default chime can be replaced with another built-in chime or a custom audio file. The chime can also be disabled.
- Require PTT: When enabled (default), the operator must press a PTT button to open the microphone and transmit audio. Depending on the device, the PTT function can be activated using a dedicated PTT button, an M-key, or the */# key. When disabled, the microphone is opened automatically when the Broadcast is established, allowing hands-free announcements.
- For information about the PTT Timeout setting, see Global Parameters.
See here for Functional description.
Record Dispatch
Record Dispatch allows the operator to record an announcement before it is distributed to the Broadcast group. This can be useful in environments where live announcements may be affected by acoustic feedback.
To configure a Broadcast for Record Dispatch:
- Navigate to Features > Broadcasts.
- Select the desired Broadcast group.
- Click the Call Options icon in the upper-left corner.
- Set the Mode to Record Dispatch.
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| Record Dispatch settings |
The following settings are specific to the Record Dispatch mode:
- Mode: Select Record Dispatch to enable recording and subsequent distribution of the recorded message.
- Chime: An attention chime played on all receiving devices before the announcement starts. The default chime can be replaced with another built-in chime or a custom audio file. The chime can also be disabled.
- Require PTT: When enabled (default), the operator must press a PTT button to start recording. Depending on the device, the PTT function can be activated using a dedicated PTT button, an M-key, or the */# key. When disabled, recording starts immediately after the Broadcast directory number is dialed.
See here for Functional description.
Message Dispatch
Message Dispatch is used to distribute a predefined audio message to all members of a Broadcast group. The user simply dials the Broadcast directory number, and the configured message is automatically played to all recipients.
To configure a Broadcast for Message Dispatch:
- Navigate to Features > Broadcasts.
- Select the desired Broadcast group.
- Click the Call Options icon in the upper-left corner.
- Set the Mode to Message Dispatch.
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| Message Dispatch settings |
The following settings are specific to the Message Dispatch mode:
- Mode: Select Message Dispatch to enable automatic playback of a predefined audio message.
- Chime: An attention chime played on all receiving devices before the announcement starts. The default chime can be replaced with another built-in chime or a custom audio file. The chime can also be disabled.
- Audio Message: Select the audio message that will be distributed when the Broadcast number is dialed. Messages can be selected from the drop-down list or uploaded using the Upload icon.
- Audio Message Repetitions: Defines how many times the selected audio message will be played. The message can also be configured to play continuously in a loop until it is explicitly cancelled.
See here for Functional description.
Relay Activation During Broadcast
A set of device GPOs/relays can be associated with a broadcast call number through configuration. These GPOs will activate when the broadcast call becomes active. If the broadcast call is queued due to a busy state, the GPOs will not activate until the call transitions to the in‑call state.
Intended use case: Selecting zones on external amplifiers during broadcast. The IP-LCM unit can typically be used as an audio interface towards an external amplifier, and by activating a combination of relays the appropriate zone can be activated.
Configuration:
- Select the Broadcast group by clicking the checkbox next to the group
- Click the GPO Control icon in the top left corner
- In the window pane to the right, add the device with relays/GPOs (e.g. IP-LCM)
- Add which relays/GPO to be activated during the broadcast
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| Dialing the Broadcast number 842 will trigger relays 2, 5 and 6 on IP-LCM 301 |
Priorities
Broadcast Call Setup priority
Before setting up a Broadcast call, Zenitel Connect will check if the broadcast overlaps with any other active broadcast calls.
- If there are conflicting calls, the Broadcast call will be queued with busy tone to caller.
- If all conflicting calls have lower priority (a higher priority value 1 -250), the conflicting calls are cancelled, and the new call is connected.
- Otherwise the call will stay in queue, and will be connected if the conflicting call hangs up. Max duration in queue is controlled by global “Answer Timeout” setting.
Offline member devices do not block Broadcast call setup.
Broadcast received while in a Regular call
The Broadcast call priority controls the interaction between Broadcast audio and regular call audio.
- Priority 1-20 (Alarm): Regular call audio is muted. Only broadcast audio is played. Volume and handset override is activated.
- Priority 21-40 (High): The Broadcast audio is mixed with the regular call
- Priority 41-250 (Normal / Low): The Broadcast audio is not played
If the device have Do-Not-Disturb(DnD) activated, the device receive Broadcast calls with priority high or alarm (40 or lower) only. ITSV and 3rd-party phones still receive all broadcast calls even if DnD is active.
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Permissions
By default all users can initiate a broadcast. Often there is a need to set access restrictions, and allow selected users only to initiate broadcast. To configure restrictions navigate to Devices and Connections > Call Services and cofigure restrictions on "Broadcast numbers".
Network requirements
Broadcast audio is distributed using IPv4 multicast within the 239.192.0.0/14 address range (Organization Local Scope). Multicast allows a single audio stream to be transmitted from the Zenitel Connect server and received simultaneously by all members of the Broadcast group, minimizing bandwidth consumption regardless of the number of receiving devices.
For Broadcasts to function correctly, multicast traffic must be permitted throughout the network between the Zenitel Connect server and all Broadcast group members.
If Broadcast members are located on different IP subnets than the Zenitel Connect server, any intervening routers must be configured to route multicast traffic. Likewise, switches must be configured to handle multicast traffic correctly according to the network design.
Broadcast audio reception uses UDP ports 61080-61700 on the receiving devices. Firewalls and access control lists (ACLs) must allow this traffic between the Zenitel Connect server and the Broadcast group members.
If multicast routing or filtering is not configured correctly, devices may appear online and operate normally for calls and system management while still being unable to receive Broadcast audio. In such cases, the device may report a broadcast.failed fault in the Fault Management page.
Note: Broadcast setup signaling and device supervision are performed separately from the multicast audio stream. A device may therefore be reachable by Zenitel Connect and appear online even though multicast audio cannot be delivered to the device.
Troubleshooting and Limitations
No Audio Received on a Device
If a device is unable to receive a Broadcast, a fault will be reported on the Fault Management page. The fault code will be broadcast.failed.
Select the affected device to display detailed fault information in the panel on the right-hand side. The information may help identify the root cause of the issue and provide guidance for corrective actions.
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| Broadcast reception failures are reported on the Fault Management page and may provide diagnostic information about the root cause |
Broadcast reception failures are also reported to the System Log.
Broadcast audio is distributed using multicast. If Broadcast group members are located on different IP subnets than the Zenitel Connect server, any intervening routers must be configured to forward multicast traffic.
The following UDP ports are used by devices for Broadcast audio reception:
- UDP 61080-61700
If multicast routing is not configured correctly, devices may be able to register and operate normally while still being unable to receive Broadcast audio.
Delayed Broadcast Setup
A Broadcast should normally start almost immediately after the Broadcast number is dialed. If several seconds pass before the attention chime is heard on the calling device, the system is experiencing delays while establishing the Broadcast session.
When setting up a Broadcast, Zenitel Connect sends requests to all online native devices that are members of the Broadcast group and waits for their responses before starting the Broadcast.
The following behavior may introduce delays:
- If a device receives the setup request but is unable to receive the audio stream, the device waits up to 2 seconds before returning an error response.
- The Broadcast starts as soon as all devices have responded.
- If one or more devices fail to respond entirely, Zenitel Connect waits up to 3 seconds before timing out those devices and starting the Broadcast.
Devices that are already detected as offline are excluded from the setup process and do not contribute to Broadcast setup delays.
Typical causes of delayed Broadcast setup:
- Multicast traffic blocked by network switches or routers.
- Incorrect multicast routing between subnets.
- Firewall rules blocking UDP Broadcast audio traffic.
- Devices experiencing network connectivity issues.
Characteristics
| Parameter | Value | Comment |
| Max receivers in broadcast call | - | No limit, as many as supported devices. |
| Max broadcast call numbers including ITSV or Generic SIP devices | 50 | Limited by multicast address/port range |
| Max simultaneous broadcast calls | 250 | Limited by multicast address/port range |
| Max broadcast memberships for ITSV | 10 | Limited by the maximum number of multicast addresses the ITSV supports |
| Max membership for Generic SIP devices | No specific limit | Depends on the maximum number of multicast addresses the SIP device supports |