After being operational under a trial basis and offered to select business customers in the last few months, AT&T has officially announced its updated business and enterprise focused PTT solution, now operating over the carrier’s LTE network after years of operating over the 3G UMTS network via a less powerful platform, still powered by Kodiak Networks.
The new PTT platform, simply known as Enhanced PTT allows for larger contact lists and talk groups, the ability to combine PTT services and mobile applications, supervisory override and talk group scanning and sub-second call setup, in an attempt to match the previous industry standard in Sprint’s iDEN, which is now being actively decommissioned.
AT&T is offering the following devices with the new service:
Samsung Rugby® III: The Rugby III is a rugged flip phone that features a 2.4-inch QVGA display and a 3 megapixel camera. It includes a dedicated PTT button on the phone for easy access, is built to military specifications (810G specifications) and is waterproof, dust proof and shock resistant.
In addition, AT&T offers Enhanced PTT on the Samsung Galaxy Rugby Pro™, an Android smartphone that is built to military specifications (810G specifications) and comes with full device encryption and corporate email support. Organizations wishing to use Enhanced PTT can also choose the Samsung Galaxy S® III or Samsung Galaxy S® II Skyrocket™ and download the Enhanced PTT service onto those devices as a separate app, much like the current Sprint Direct Connect rollout.
Sonim® XP5560 BOLT: AT&T is also working with Sonim Technologies to offer the Sonim® XP5560 BOLT, This ultra-rugged device comes with a comprehensive 3-year warranty and will cost $199 for Enhanced PTT customers. The Sonim® XP5560 BOLT features a dedicated PTT button and can stand up to many challenges, including drops from more than six feet onto concrete and submersion in water for 30 minutes. Businesses that operate in the most extreme environments will be able to count on the Sonim® XP5560 BOLT with AT&T Enhanced PTT to keep employees in touch.
Enhanced PTT service is being offered in two options to best match usage, as a $5 monthly add-on to existing service plans or as a dedicated monthly service without the need for a standard service plan for $30 a month, though it should be noted that the $30 plan does not include any separate data or voice allowance outside of PTT service, with both plan options being excluded from monthly data caps. More information can be found here, though AT&T has not announced availability of Enhanced PTT for consumers at this time.
