MTN South Africa Launches Push-to-Talk

MTN South Africa says that it has launched Push-to-Talk (PTT) services on its network, running over GPRS via Nokia handsets.

Buckley McGrath, MTN Executive, Corporate Business Unit commented: "The Push to Talk technology has been through a successful pilot phase in South Africa and has enormous potential, as proven internationally."

The conversation is within a closed user group (a maximum of up to 20 users are pre-determined by a company manager) and is totally secure.

Unlike a normal GSM call where customers are charged for the duration of their call, with PTT they pay per PTT push.

The launch was problematic, as the service is VoIP based and required clarification from the regulator, ICASA to to its legality."

Posted to the site on 31st May 2007