Verizon Wireless has released a new push-to-talk service for users of Research In Motion's BlackBerry smartphones, according to the blog Boy Genius Report.

The service, which has been whispered about for some time, is now available for free to download, according to the blog, but it will cost $5 per month. The push-to-talk service will give users unlimited nationwide calling to other push-to-talk devices on Verizon's network. Representatives from Verizon declined to comment.

Other features of the service, according to the blog, include the ability to make group calls with up to 50 participants, see who is available for push-to-talk calls, manage push-to-talk contacts online and access email and the Web while on a push-to-talk call.

A range of carriers, including Verizon, AT&T Mobility and Sprint Nextel, offer PTT services in various forms and via various technologies.

For more:
- see this Boy Genius Report post
- see this CIO post

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Sprint launches push-to-talk BlackBerry with WiFi
Verizon launches low-cost PTT phone