Motorola, Ericsson and Nokia are looking to release push-to-talk (PTT)-enabled handsets next year, once legislation issues are sorted out and the networks finalise their business models.
Among PTT`s benefits are that it could cost less, offers always-on functionality and allows one-to-many communications using a cellphone.
Brian Burns, Motorola`s product marketing manager for southern Africa, says Motorola developed the technology over a decade ago in the US and has been running the service with American service provider Nextel for about 10 years on an iDen network.
"PTT allows a cellphone to take on a walkie-talkie-type functionality where a user is able to set up a direct one-to-one or one-to-multi-party connection between cellphones using GPRS. It takes around seven seconds to connect initially and thereafter takes about 1.5 seconds."
Burns says that unlike a normal call, a PTT connection can only handle one-way speech and because it is made through GPRS, the two phones connect directly to one another over the GPRS packet network.
Because the service is "always on", users are able to assign themselves a status as one would on an Internet messenger service, says Burns. "For example, one could assign a status indicating you`re busy or in a meeting. Anyone who has your profile on their phone would be able to view your status."
Burns says PTT is ideal in a group environment. A taxi service could use PTT to put out a call to all its drivers that a passenger needs to be picked up, allowing the nearest driver to respond.
He says PTT has also proved popular between private users where someone wants to give a friend a quick message. "A lot of families in the States use it for security. Parents will check their children are alright when they are going out and find out when they are coming home using PTT as opposed to having to make a call."
Thomas Sonesson, VP of customer solutions and sales support, says with Ericsson`s Instant Talk package, which includes PTT, parents are even able to log onto a Web site and pinpoint their child`s exact location.
The obstacles
Burns says there are a number of steps that need to be taken before PTT can be released locally.
Firstly, from an international perspective, Motorola, Nokia, Ericsson and Siemens have made a submission to the Open Mobile Alliance standards body to ensure GSM cellphones with PTT are able to connect to each other.
Burns says as soon as the standard is approved, Motorola will roll-out PTT on GSM networks.
Locally, because PTT is voice-over-IP (VOIP), there will also have to be clarification on whether it is legal. "PTT is VOIP using GPRS. There will therefore have to be clarification through ICASA [the Independent Communications Authority of SA] as to whether using PTT would actually be legal in SA," he says.
Sonesson says he doesn`t see VOIP legislation as being an issue because the networks are already licensed to carry voice and data, and PTT will merely be another of their products.
"We have already done a demonstration for MTN using two P800s and international SIM cards. They are now in the process of formulating their business models," he says.
Burns says the networks have to decide what is the best way to charge for a service like PTT.
"In the States, PTT is charged on a monthly subscription basis. It is harder here because users generally won`t pay more than about R30 for a subscription service. The networks will therefore have to decide the best way to charge for PTT."
Sonesson believes the networks will start by charging on a pay-as-you-use basis but will quickly bundle it in packages and provide it on a subscription basis.
Burns says the good news is that the groundwork has already being laid with the provision of GPRS by the networks. He says the networks only need to get PTT servers up and running and they would be able to launch the service.
Launching locally
Burns says Motorola plans to launch a GSM PTT-enabled handset in SA in April or May next year.
However, whether users will have access to PTT will depend on the networks. MTN declined to comment on what testing it has done with PTT or a possible release date for the product. Vodacom could not be reached for comment.
Sonesson says Ericsson is already able to install its Instant Talk package on Java-enabled phones like the P800 and is investigating placing the product on lower level phones.
"Our research has shown that 80% of PTT is conducted on a one-to-one basis while only 20% is used in a group environment, usually in business. We will therefore target the youth market with the product as well as the business environment. The solution will also be very beneficial for the police and other groups in the public sector."
He says Ericsson will roll-out its Instant Talk package as soon as the networks support PTT.
Burns says PTT could prove popular in SA. "By using PTT, one doesn`t have to make a call through the network or type out an SMS when one would only speak for a few seconds. You could simply connect directly to that person`s phone through GPRS and have a quick conversation," he says.
Ethan Meyer, a national account manager at the RF Group, says Nokia will release a PTT-enabled handset in around August next year.
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