Todd let us know that Verizon has released the Push to Talk service that has been the talk of the BB community for a while. The service was rumored to be released later in April but it was released a few weeks ahead. The screen shot is for the BlackBerry app that will enable the push to talk service similar to the one offered from AT&T. The application can be downloaded from the Verizon App Center but you still have to call Verizon to add the service to your account.
The service cost $5.00 a month per line for unlimited push to talk which is not too expensive. Only a few other carriers have been successful at implementing or selling this service to their customers.
Details from Verizons website
- Make quick exchanges.
Push one button to contact team members or clients. - Place group calls.
Hold conversations with as many as 50 total participants. - Check team member status with Presence.
See who is available for a Push to Talk call. - Manage contacts for the entire company online.
Add, delete and assign contacts, create groups and more. - Use one number, one device.
Make and receive voice calls without needing a second device or phone number. - Enjoy coast-to-coast coverage.
Connect on our nationwide broadband network, and get expanded coverage across the United States within the National Enhanced Services Rate and Coverage Area.
Let us know in the comments if you are a Verizon customer and plan on using this service.
DavidB ( View Profile) Guru - Posts: 1751
Posted: March 19, 2010 at 6:09 AM EST
Hey Luis…you may want to adjust the subject of this post. Pretty sure you mean PTT (Push To Talk), not PPT (PowerPoint).
And feel free to delete this comment after doing that.
DavidB ( View Profile) Guru - Posts: 1751
Posted: March 19, 2010 at 6:13 AM EST
I have a Verizon Storm from my public safety agency. We came to Verizon from Nextel and we miss the PTT service. Having it available on our Verizon phones/BlackBerry will be awesome.
I’m not sure what your source was seeing though. Looking around VZW this morning there is no indication it’s available on anything other than their standard lineup of 5 craptastic feature phones, no BlackBerry. And we have all heard once it IS available it will require upgrading the Verizon 9630 Tour to OS 5.0 first, which VZW has yet to release.
Luis Merlos ( View Profile) Moderator - Posts: 1231
Posted: March 19, 2010 at 10:17 AM EST
5.0 is not officially available but most BlackBerry users that know how to upgrade their OS have made the upgrade so that could be one reason he came across it.
DavidB ( View Profile) Guru - Posts: 1751
Posted: March 19, 2010 at 11:21 AM EST
I’m well aware it’s not official.
I’m running a Tour 9630 with OS 5.0.0.419 (not Verizon).
I’m on a corporate BES plan.
Blackberry Application Center (on device carrier software delivery app) is offering me Push to Talk v1.0.34.26. Downloading.
Tried on my Storm running 5.0.0.419 (BIS only plan) and Push to Talk is not offered.
Someone with a Storm2 or 8530 should check in their App Center to see if it’s offered to their device yet.
DavidB ( View Profile) Guru - Posts: 1751
Posted: March 19, 2010 at 11:23 AM EST
Trying to download fails. Says it requires the MPTT module, which is not installed, before you can even download the app. I suspect MPTT is pushed via Service Book and only once you have enabled the service on your account.
DavidB ( View Profile) Guru - Posts: 1751
Posted: March 19, 2010 at 11:26 AM EST
Funny it’s not listed as available on a BlackBerry but Verizon online Technical Support has it covered. http://search.vzw.com/?do=viewdoc&id=30862&p=null
Luis Merlos ( View Profile) Moderator - Posts: 1231
Posted: March 19, 2010 at 11:27 AM EST from my BlackBerry 9700
Yeah looks like Verizon may have messed up because a friend called and they told him they couldn’t add the service to BlackBerry yet, and they tease you with the download option on the app center