Subject: [NEXTEL-1] IBM introduces Push-To-Talk

From: Marcel <[email-masked]>
Date: Mon, 07 Apr 2003 15:44:26 -0400

IBM loops in more wireless

By Ben Charny
Staff Writer, CNET News.com
April 7, 2003, 10:37 AM PT

IBM has introduced new wireless capabilities for its telephone network
equipment
installed in thousands of offices, including mobile conference calling
and "push to
talk" cell phone technology.

The new features for Big Blue's WebSphere Application Server for Telecom
service are available
through a partnership announced Monday with Teltier Technologies.
Financial terms of the deal
were not disclosed.

The new service includes Teltier's wireless conference calling, where a
"buddy list," similar to
those found in instant messaging, shows whether or not a person is on a
cell phone, said
Marty Slatnick, business development executive for IBM's software group.

This is the first time IBM has offered
such a feature either directly or
through a third-party arrangement,
Slatnick said. Phone and network
equipment maker Siemens is selling
Teltier's services in six European
countries, said Sharad Sharma,
chief executive of Teltier.

IBM also introduced its "push to
talk" technology, which connects
cell phones instantly just like a
walkie-talkie. Of the new services,
the technology has already shown it
can succeed in a fickle U.S. market
of more than 141 million customers.
U.S. push-to-talk use is expected to
grow this year when Sprint PCS and
Verizon Wireless join Nextel Communications in offering the technology.

Big Blue is beefing up its assortment of cell phone offerings for
corporate clients just as major
wireless carriers Verizon Wireless, Sprint PCS and AT&T Wireless are
devoting more effort
selling airtime to business clients.

http://rss.com.com/2100-1039-995786.html?type=pt&part=rss&tag=feed&subj=news

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