Amp’d to go with Kodiak PTT solution

Amp’d Mobile has selected Kodiak Networks to power its push-to-talk service, forming part of the new mobile virtual network operator’s core services platform.

Amp’d Mobile is expected to launch this year, the latest virtual carrier specifically targeting the youth segment. Amp’d, founded by Boost Mobile entrepreneur Peter Adderton, will ride Verizon Wireless’ rapidly growing EV-DO network to provide BREW-based applications and its own 3G video, music and entertainment content to the fickle world of teens and twenty-somethings.

Part of that content offering will be PTT, Amp’d officials said--the service will be available on all of its handsets. Instead of reselling Verizon’s PTT service, however, Amp’d is opting to run the service from its own core network, taking advantage of one of the unique characteristics of MVNO deals. While Amp’d will essentially use Verizon Wireless’ access network, many of the core services will come from Amp’d itself.

Amp’d will deploy Kodiak’s Real-Time Exchange (RTX) PTT over cellular system, which has been deployed with Alltel and several other smaller carriers in the U.S., as well as Orange in Europe.