Verizon Wireless launches push-to-talk

Aug 14 2003 - 11:37 AM ET | Push-to-talk, Verizon Wireless
As expected, Verizon Wireless has launched push-to-talk (PTT) services throughout the US. Unlike Nextel's service (launched some ten years ago), Verizon is using Voice over IP (VoIP) to send the data. For those unfamiliar with PTT, it allows users to connect directly other users by simply pressing a button on their phone. It's akin to a walkie-talkie, but without boundries. In tandem with Verizon Wireless's announcement, Mototorla announced that it is making its first CDMA 1X PTT enabled phone--the V60p. Right now it's only available to Verizon customers, but the PTT market is hot and before the end of the year almost everyone that's not in the GSM market will be doing it.