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Verizon Rolling Out Nextel-Like PTT Service
aberson writes "Verizon Wireless announced today that it is rolling out a PTT (push to talk) phone service, targetted at business customers. They claim better coverage, 'presence' (away/available), and wireless web for about $10 more than Nextel and $10 more than a non-PTT Verizon plan. Pricing doesn't mention how 'high-speed' data will roll into this (which you can't get on Nextel), but you are using the CDMA2000 network to essentially do VoIP. If only it could be something cross-networkable like Sonim. Just wait a few months for the other carriers to catch up and cellular number portability to be enforced. Ironically, you can only get it on a Motorola made phone. Also, Verizon seems to be not caring about Nextel trying to copyright a generic technical term."
Am I the only one who wants a cell phone that does nothing except phone calls and maybe handle a list of peoples phone numbers? All these crazy features are making me crazy :(
Sprint is about to launch a PTT VoIP solution as well, if they can overcome the technical issues. PTT VoIP is harder than it sounds, given the need for authentication, etc... unless you like waiting 30 seconds after you push the button to talk :)
Blame the user, not the technology. Every Nextel phone I've seen lets you turn off the group speaker and use PTT with the phone to your ear. It's too bad more users don't figure out how to do that.
Promote civility: mod down any post starting with 'ummm'.
Must not...point out difference...between copyright and trademark...yet again...not...strong..enough!
You know when your relatives say they need 3 gigs of memory to install a game, or ask why they don't just put the hard disk in the TV screen, or why a computer needs to be plugged in if it is wireless? That's what it is like to read the same trademark/copyright/patent goofs made over and over and over again.
Trademarks are solely for marks used in trade. ie "We bring good things to life", a slogan, an icon, a piece of IDENTITY. You get trademarks so that consumers will not be confused about who produced a product. If you stop using a trademark (or it becomes common, no longer distinct to your company), you can lose it. It's sole purpose is to protect companies from imitators.
Copyrights are for the right to copy creative works. ie, novels, poems, computer programs, paintings, etc. You never have to sell, buy or process anything to get a copyright. it cannot be lost no matter what, but you can give it away or sell it. It is to protect AUTHORS, not companies or money (at least in theory).
Patents are for novel inventions (and lately, processes). You can't patent a book, or a painting, or a slogan, because they don't do anything. It protects inventors, not writers or marketing folks.
Recursive: Adj. See Recursive.
If you allreadt have established a connection to someone all you do is press the button then talk. If you make many small phonecalls a day the service is perfect. Many craftsmen and workers are using it, for them its perfect, and the phone cost actyally goes down as you don't have to hold the line forever.
Currently the phone companies charges a premium for PTT, but I guess its only reasonable since the service is new and pretty high tech. The phone companies have invested a lot of money in this, but now they can sent the conversation in small packets over the IP-network.
At my company we just got this and I'm vert satisfied, monitoring of the workers are easier and takes less time. At the same time the productivity went up, so we can charge our customers more fore the time we work.
Proud patriot and republican voter.
Why do you think Verizon is picking up this feature? Because companies are leaving their current cellular provider for Nextel just for PTT.
It comes in particularly handy when businesses and oranizations have employees off-site. Everything from delivery to maintenance, sales to construction. It is a very valuable feature for both convenience and saving money.
Bottom Line: People will leave Verizon for Nextel, and they don't want to lose market-share.