Date:09/11/2004 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2004/11/09/stories/2004110900971900.htm

Back Tata Indicom launches push-to-talk service

Our Bureau

Mumbai , Nov. 8

TATA Indicom on Monday announced the commercial launch of Push-to-Talk (PTT) service in Mumbai and Pune and said it is the first mobile service operator in India to offer it commercially.

The company also announced that the service would be available on the Kyocera KY 440 colour handset, which was being made available for less than Rs 7,000.

The facility is available on both the pre-paid and post-paid platforms, said a news release from Tata Indicom.

PTT offers direct connectivity upon the press of a button on their PTT-capable handsets, offering a walkie-talkie-like function, enabling fast person-to-person and group connectivity.

The company is also the first PTT service operator in the world to partner with CDMA technology company Qualcomm for the BREWChat{trade} based PTT solution.

Targeted at corporates, small and medium entrepreneurs and mass consumers, the service will be available with a host of additional features like Brew Chat Applications group talk etc, said the release.

"This PTT service has been specially designed for CDMA200 1X networks and will go live, for the first time ever in the world on the Tata Indicom network.''

The key benefit of Tata Indicom's Push-To-Talk (tm) is that the customer will be allowed to instantly call a group of people at one time from any place.

In addition, with the concept of `Always On', this facility does not work on distance and is more cheaper, faster and convenient than sending an SMS.

It would also match police and fire brigade requirements, said the release.