MTN this Easter used the Road Traffic Management Corporation as a guinea pig for its push-to-talk (PTT) technology.
The entity's nine provincial co-ordinators were each equipped with a Nokia 5500 handset fitted with PTT, described as the walkie-talkie of cellular phone technology.
This enabled the co-ordinators to speak to each other instantaneously and with more benefits than the usual cellphone and two-way radio connection provides.
"This partnership is a very exciting one for MTN. Push-to-talk technology is still in its test phase in Africa, but it has enormous potential, as proven abroad," says Natasha Basson, senior manager of communications at MTN's Corporate Business Unit.
"It has numerous advantages over a standard two-way radio - it operates within a totally secure environment created for a closed group, a maximum of 20 users, who are connected over a specific channel, since the GSM cellular system encrypts the message at both ends," adds Basson.
PTT has many advantages over other forms of radio communication, in that there are no area limitations or infrastructure set-up costs because the only equipment required is the PTT-enabled cellular handset, she says. There are also no operational costs related to radio infrastructure, because PTT is hosted and managed within the MTN network.
"Whether you need to check meeting times, engage in a group discussion to reach a quick decision or access urgent information from your fellow workers instantly, PTT will enable quick resolutions and immediate action," says Basson.
Related stories:
Namibia provides push-to-talk
Namibian cops trial push-to-talk
MTC Namibia trials PTT with the Namibian Police
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