Sprint to offer push-to-talk, with no strings to Nextel's iDEN

Sprint may be phasing out Nextel, but push-to-talk (PTT) — the walkie-talkie-like capability favored by field service workers, among other enterprise users — is getting an upgrade.

Beginning Oct. 2, Sprint plans to launch Sprint Direct Connect, a faster, next-generation PTT service that pairs familiar PTT features with new handsets, broadband data capabilities and a coverage footprint expected to eventually match Sprint's CDMA voice coverage area.

In 2012, international versions of the service will also begin rolling out, making international PTT calls possible.

"We've seen steadily increasing demand for faster data speeds, better and broader coverage, and more applications on push-to-talk devices," Paget Alves, president of the Sprint Business unit, said in a statement. "Sprint Direct Connect is designed to solve all three."

Direct Connect is part of Sprint's Network Vision blueprint for phasing out the Nextel iDEN network, a financial burden on the carrier and one that it will finally cease to support in 2013. Although iDEN's PTT had a strong niche audience, the network is incompatible with Sprint's 3G (and 4G) networks.

The new PTT platform has been designed by Qualcomm and will feature services including:

-- Guaranteed Talk Permit, which emits a chirp to signal that a call was successfully transmitted;

-- Call Alert with Text, which lets users attach a text message to a call, explaining why they're trying to reach the party;

-- Group Connect, for communicating with up to 20 other Sprint Direct Connect users at once;

-- TeamDC, for communicating with up to 200 other subscribers;

-- NextMail, which sends a recorded message via email or text; and

-- Availability Notification, which can request the availability of other subscribers and have an alert sent when they are.

With its Oct. 2 launch, Sprint will also make available three new handsets. The Kyocera DuraMax, a rugged, military-spec device with a camera, camcorder, 2-inch QVGA TFT display and ability to withstand temperature extremes and even immersion in water for up to 30 minutes, will be available for $70 after a two-year contract and mail-in rebate.

The Kyocera DuraCore, also a rugged device, and the Sprint Direct Connect Android device, from Motorola, will arrive later in the fourth quarter; pricing has yet to be announced.

In April, Sprint agreed to a roaming deal with SouthernLINC Wireless (CP: SouthernLINC takes push-to-talk nationwide with Sprint roaming agreement) that extended voice calling, data services and PTT capabilities to the smaller, South-serving carrier.