Verizon Wireless unveiled plans for a push-to-talk service for Research In Motion's BlackBerry Tour. The announcement comes shortly after rumors hinted of the carrier's PTT plans for BlackBerry smartphones.
The operator said that beginning March 30, customers will be able to add the service to their existing service plans and download the appropriate application. Verizon is also going to offer a 90-day promotion for free push-to-talk service when customers activate a qualifying voice plan and BlackBerry data plan. The service is normally $5 per month on top of a voice and data plan.
The BlackBerry service includes the ability to make group calls with up to 50 participants. It also lets users see who is available for push-to-talk calls and allows them to manage push-to-talk contacts online. A Verizon spokeswoman said the Tour is the only BlackBerry for which Verizon is offering the service right now, and declined to discuss whether it will be made available for other BlackBerry models.
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 release
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