Cingular debuts push-to-talk feature

Cingular Wireless is the latest cellular provider to offer a "push to talk" service so that callers can be connected instantaneously.

Sprint Nextel and Verizon Wireless already offer their own push-to-talk services. With Cingular now onboard, three of the four major cell phone operators in the United States offer the feature. The service, which allows a cell phones to act like a walkie-talkie, was first offered by Nextel in the U.S.

Cingular, which is jointly owned by BellSouth and AT&T, is charging subscribers $9.95 per month for unlimited use of the walkie-talkie service. Family plans cost $19.99. Currently, it's only available on two phones: the Samsung D-357 and the LG F7200.

The new service is being powered by technology from Kodiak Networks. Several other wireless providers also use Kodiak's technology, including Orange in Europe and, in the U.S., Alltel and Verizon's Mobile Virtual Network Operator, called AMP'd.

With Cingular's push-to-talk service, people can transfer directly to a regular call. They can also use a feature that lets them know if the person they are trying to reach is available. The service lets people conference in up to 20 callers on the same conversation.

[caseyahenry]

What's the big deal?

Okay--I must confess that I'm ignorant as to the benefits of push-to-talk cellular service; I've never used it myself. That said, I can't possibly understand why most people would want their cell phones to act like walkie-talkies, let alone pay ten dollars extra for the service! Is it just me, or is anyone else annoyed when everyone within a 30-foot radius or on an airplane, bus, or train is privy to someone's phone call? When I make a call, I don't really care to have everybody around me listening in.

[Jesterace]

Agreed

I swear the cellular services are getting out of hand. I mean now they have tv style video feeds. Mobile internet etc... I refuse to use my phone in a public place especially if i'm on a bus. But I mean that's my preference I suppose. But I guess if they figure Sprint/Nextel are making $ from the direct connect feature I guess they figure that they should get in on the share of the profits. I work for Sprint/Nextel and the walkie-talkie seem to be the one main thing that people like about the service because honestly I hate the phones that they offer for the iDen service.

[Universe Man]

PTT rocks

It is extremely useful. Picture any situation that might require multiple short phone calls. Like meeting somewhere at a specific time and place, or coordinating a caravan on the highway. PTT makes these situations so easy. There's no waiting for a connection, waiting for the party to pick up, both parties saying "Hello" and both parties saying "Goodbye". Press, talk, release, conversation over.

As for your comment about everyone overhearing your conversation: Every PTT phone I've ever used (all Nextel) has an option to listen through the earpiece and not through the speaker. The sound is just like a regular phone call.

[baggyguy1218]

it is a good thing....

it really is. I have a blackberry for work and it is a good thing to have the walkie-talkie feature availible. Its fast and easy to use. The question I have is when will all of the service providers come together and merge all of the systems together so that you can call anyone at anytime with any service, thats the major question.