A standard for push-to-talk over cellular (PoC) has been approved. The Open Mobile Alliance made the announcement at CommunicAsia this week. With a cross-carrier standard in place it should be possible to have PoC conversations span carriers, something today that isn't possible. Billing will have to be worked out though, a non-trivial piece of the puzzle.
The OMA expects most carriers to adopt the standard, though Nextel will be a notable exception. Once Nextel moves to CDMA, insiders expect the company will use a PTT solution called QChatthat's provided by Qualcomm.
Members of the OMA include Nokia, Motorola, Lucent Technologies, Qualcomm, Vodafone Group, T-Mobile International, and Cingular Wireless.
[via PhoneScoop]