Abstract: The invention relates to a user interface for digital radio telephones intended to be used especially by the authorities. In a conventional radio telephone the functional elements constituting the user interface of the radio are placed on the front surface, sides and at the upper end of the radio telephone. In the user interface according to the invention, functional elements are additionally placed on the rear surface of the radio telephone. Because of the invention, the radio telephone can be used in two manners: At the front side of the phone, the apparatus can be used as a conventional digital phone, and when used at the rear side, the phone functions like a conventional walkie-talkie. A phone equipped with a user interface according to the invention can be attached to a carrying means placed on a shoulder strap, thus replacing separate headset-microphones and hands-free devices.