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27 2 04 Australian dominant carrier Telstra Corp is to begin trials of a
"walkie-talkie" style mobile service in March.
Telstra said this would be the first trial in Australia of its
push-to-talk service.
Push-to-talk works like a two way radio while operating on either of
Telstra's mobile networks, allowing person-to-person or person-to-group
communication.
To activate the service, a customer presses a button on a
compatible handset to talk to another mobile push-to-talk user.
There is no dialling, ringing, or waiting for answers.
Telstra said it already had a number of business customers agreeing to
take part in the trial and anticipates commercial services to be launched by
June.
"Push-to-talk is often used by business customers in the logistics and
transport sectors to disseminate or communicate time-critical information
quickly and efficiently," Telstra Technology Innovation and Products Group
Managing Director Ted Pretty said.
"But push-to-talk also has an important role for consumers, giving them
the ability to keep in touch with family and friends by providing instant
communications at the push of a button."
Telstra said new push-to-talk capable handsets would also include current
mobile phone functionality.
Telstra said it would announce its choice of vendor next week.
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