Wish

iTrader: (2)

Been watching the American Chopper series and they use there mobiles like walkie talkies. They kinda bleep and then they talk to each other.
Is this somehting only the american networks can do? or is it open to the UK too ?

Iwan

It'll be coming soon to the UK, called PTT (push to talk). Basically you set up a user group on yer phone and then it works like a walkie talkie. The networks love it because it uses tiny amounts of bandwidth compared to a normal call, instead of tying up an entire voice circuit for the duration of the call, it just sends the data as VoIP (voice over IP) which is much more efficient.

A gimmick basically.

Scooby Soon!

the driver i hired in New York used these all the drivers had them half mobile half walkie talkie type thing, they have been around a while though because they were using them just after 9/11

Wish

iTrader: (2)

Look forward to that then. Is there a charge.

Nevetas

http://www.onlypunjab.com/tech/fullstory-newsID-81.html

http://news.zdnet.co.uk/communicatio...9119174,00.htm

Wish

iTrader: (2)

That was a silly question really

Nevetas

Probably a monthly fee.

Wish

iTrader: (2)

Is there a range on which this will work ?

fast bloke

We used to use this when I worked for the BBC - 1993. Was crap though - didn't use viop or anything as complicated. BBC basically bought their own cell and planted it on the top of the building. They set up a load of frequencies (speed dial groups), so the sound people on the news had one, tech support had one etc etc etc. The flaw was that only 4 people had mobile phones and the batteries only lasted for about 17 seconds, cos one you arrived at work you turned your phone on and it connected to an 'always on' con call for your group.

Iwan

Same range as any mobile phone, unlimited as long as you are in coverage. The only difference really is the way that it sends data through the network, which will be totally transparent to the user. PTT just uses GPRS (chunks of data) instead of circuit switched (a continuous stream) like traditional calls, it still goes through the noetwork - not directly from mobile to mobile like a walkie-talkie does.

TJG

There was a company called Dolphin that used to offer PTT/mobile service in the UK using TETRA. It wasn't great and I think they called it a day sometime last year.

mart360

so yesterday...

Orange allready do PTT

only on the treo range of phones at the mo if i recall

the other providers are toying with the idea too

Mart

Mark Miwurdz

My daughter's Nokia 6101 has this functionality on O2 PAYG.

Cheers
Kav

Robbie T

iTrader: (8)

My nokia 6260 has the function on it but it isn't obviously enabled yet. Its fcukin annoying really as it activates when you press the 'take picture' button by accident on the side of the fone.

Sounds like its gonna be nifty tho