[infoSync: Big 3 join on GPRS, EDGE push-to-talk ]
Ericsson, Nokia and Siemens have joined forces to promote a unified solution for push-to-talk solutions over GPRS and EDGE networks, based on the IP Multimedia Subsystem.
Aiming to provide an alternative to numerous proprietary solutions from smaller players, Ericsson, Nokia and Siemens are now teaming up to define specifications for an open standard to speed the adoption of direct-call push-to-talk service over GPRS. The technology uses the capabilities of the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) as specified by 3GPP for enabling IP connections between mobile phones, and initial trials are expected to begin in the second half of 2003.
IP Multimedia System (IMS) is a technology standardized by 3GPP, broadly viewed as a key development of the mobile communication into IP technologies by adding the ability to deliver integrated voice and data services over the IP-based packet switched network, using SIP to initiate a session.
Obviously Nextel has something that everyone else wants. The more quality services, the better the ARPU (Average Revenue Per Unit) earned each month. This is a business idea and strategy, not some frill like MMS, which is cool,but not exactly focused yet on making money for the carriers since people don’t quite get (or want) it.