Sprint outlines new features of CDMA Push-to-Talk service

Sprint has announced it will launch CDMA-based Push-to-Talk technology in the fourth quarter of this year, the network operator announced it would be phasing out its iDEN technology over the next two years, and the new service, called Sprint Direct Connect, is intended to be its replacement.

Sprint began discussing CDMA-based Push-to-Talk communications more than three years ago, and briefly attempted to replace Nextel's iDEN-based PTT with a service from Qualcomm called QChat. Ultimately, though, the carrier abandoned the technology and moved on.

The new CDMA-based Push-to-Talk service will launch with ruggedized devices from Motorola and Kyocera which will include an Android QWERTY smartphone.

The service will include group Push-to-Talk for up to 200 participants, Land Mobile Radio (LMR) interoperability, availability notification, and an approximately three mile radius of direct connectivity. In early 2012, Sprint said Direct Connect will add more capabilities, including international push-to-talk.