News
Issue #2003 - 17 (May 2003)
(Updated May 24, 2003)

APPLICATION SOLUTIONS & APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT

Push-to-talk First European Wireless Trial

Europe : Radiolinja will be the first European mobile network operator to trial fastmobile's new fastchat push-to-talk service that combines instant messaging, picture messaging and radio phone-like voice messaging in one application. By participating in the trial, Radiolinja will become one of the first carriers anywhere to test a genuinely multi-modal instant communication service in a real-world environment. 

Significantly for operators including Radiolinja, fastchat is easy to install and requires no infrastructure investment. It will comply with all future standards, such as those being developed under the terms of a three-way agreement between Siemens, Nokia and Ericsson.

Kirsi Valtari, Radiolinja's vice president of technology, said: "fastchat offers a new inviting application and expands GPRS services. We believe that in the near future there will be a lot of new applications because of open platforms in mobile devices".

fastmobile develops, hosts and distributes innovative instant communication services that optimise one-to-one and group interactions between mobile consumers. Built on a patent pending technology platform developed over a period of nearly three years, services operate globally on 2.5 and 3G mobile networks and enable customers to communicate with friends, family or other communities anywhere in the world.

fastchat is a global multi-modal instant communications service that enables use of compatible phones as both multimedia messengers and walkie-talkies. It works across all UK operators, and in all countries that have GPRS-enabled networks.

Source: 3G Website
For more information: http://www.fastmobile.com

MobileInfo Comments and Advisory: Push To Talk (P2T) is an important requirement in many field applications in public safety and municipal mobile applications where field supervisors must get in touch with crew members quickly. fastmobile's implementation of P2T appears more comprehensive and functional because it allows instant text and picture messaging. However, two sets of criteria will determine its success. First is its true ability to connect users (within a couple of seconds) at the push of a button for voice communication. Second is ease of use in instant messaging from mobile phones where text entry is awkward to start with. 

Note: This news release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and section 21E of Securities Exchange act of 1934 in USA. Similar provisions exist in other countries. There is no assurance that the stipulated plans of vendors will be implemented. MobileInfo does not warrant the authenticity of the information. Readers should take appropriate caution in developing plans utilizing these products, services and technology architectures.  All trademarks used in this summary are the property of their respective owners.