Vodafone goes for PTT

Vodafone’s subsidiary in New Zealand has reported that it plans to introduce commercial push-to-talk (PTT) services next week after positive results from recent trials. PTT allows customers to set up walkie-talkie style connections between either individuals or groups of users with a single push of a button. The technology, which is aimed at business users, is already successfully deployed in North America by operators such as Nextel. Vodafone NZ says it will be offering PTT services over its GPRS network initially, with services then extending to its 3G network which is scheduled to be launched later this year. Motorola’s V303p handset, which retails at NZD699, will be the only PTT phone available at launch.