Do you think it is possible that the "Side Convenience Button" is available to be programmed for future PTT (Push to Talk) support on the Sprint/Nextel network?

[IMG]www.mobilewhack.com/images/8703e_landing.jpg[/IMG]

Also, on Sprint's website it mentions that with the implementation of their new EV-DO rev A network, that high performance push to talk will be enabled!

Sprint First to Market Next Generation of Mobile Broadband

Does this mean that Nextel PTT will be obsolete?

Please share your thoughts.

The short answer is "no" (or at the very least, "not bloody likely"). We've been told that it is on RIM's roadmap but a CDMA/GSM hybrid is a higher priority so we'll, likely, see that first ... but not soon.

That's a big question ... there really isn't much work being done to evolve the Nextel PTT network going forward; however, it's a proven system that works well where coverage exists.

PTT on CDMA networks has been implemented using half-duplex VOIP so there's a lot of room to grow in terms of network developement, features, encoding, compression, etc.

There might be a possibility since one of the GSM BB OS updates that they showed at the CTIA wireless show, had Push to talk, so their might be a chance that they may integrate that into the CDMA devices.

As far as the EVDO A, if the CDMA chips are MSM6500 processors inside the 8703e, and confirmed, then it will only support EVDO rev. 0 , as stated in the processor spec sheet at qualcomm's site. Though , that's why i put a posting of the processor deets in the rumor mill of the Verizon 8703e release thread that the only way sprint can support EVDO Rev. A is to use the MSM6800 processor.

As far as Nextel PTT, it probably never would go obsolete, it'll later down the line be only exclusive for Govt Agencies to use, with dual support. But don't be shocked if Sprint has some sort of migration/exit plan in the works! Look up Motorola Harmony project, which is the Wimax/iden/CDMA technology they're brewing up.


Hope that helps!

Interesting ... I was speaking to a RIM tech a few days ago and he did say that the 8703e uses a Qualcomm 6500 processor.

hcheun and markhutchinson, I appreciate your informed and descriptive responses on this. While I don't have any interest in PTT myself, it is nice to see full explanations of what things mean, rather than just short answers or "use the search function" smartass replies. And also seeing one person who obviously knows a lot acknowledge someone else's info is nice every once in a while. So thank you both.

and what do you think the MSM6500 is?

also, just to answer the original question, PTT support on the BlackBerry, thus far, is being provided by Kodiak Networks. for BlackBerry devices, they service Cingular, Alltel, Orange UK, and AirTel (per their website). i'm sure we'll see the PTT service available on all of these carriers. aside from them, probably not... but who knows.

what would be more interesting with Sprint is if they're going to phase out Nextel's DC service in favor of their Ready Link PTT service, or if they are simply going to push both as competing products.

To be honest, I have no idea. I've never seen specs regarding the capabilities or limitations of that or any other Qualcomm chip. I was simply told that the 8703e uses a "Qualcomm 6500" chip. The implication that was made (although it was not explicitly stated) was that the Intel chips in the 8700 provided both higher computational power and more flexibility for OS developers.

do a Google search on MSM6500 and click on the first link returned

(I'm not trying to instigate an arguement here; just genuinely curious and looking for information.)

I've been digging around a bit and so far can only find one reference to either RIM or BlackBerry within the Kodiak Networks website (which makes no reference to PTT on BlackBerry):
Global_Mobile_Report_Feb_2005.pdf

There are several references to Cingular and the other carriers listed above but, again, no mention (that I've found so far) of PTT on BlackBerry:
news_events_2005

I would be very interested to read more regarding plans to move the PTT functionality onto the BlackBerry hardware. If you have any links that you could post I would appreciate being pointed in the right direction.

So far the closest I've found is a post on Pinstack regarding a PTT enabled BlackBerry Pearl.

There are two files associated to the PTT application (both loaded in the Platform.alx file), net_rim_bb_phone_ptt_app.cod and KnJCDE.cod. The first is the actual interfacing of PTT support in the phone application on the handheld; the latter is the actual PTT application. You can open the KnJCDE.cod file in Notepad and find the following: Kodiak PTT Application. A Google search for Kodiak PTT returns kodiaknetworks.com. Also mentioned in the net_rim_bb_phone_ptt_app.cod file are a few references to Kodiak ("Toggle Kodiak Logging").

this part?

"Supports CDMA2000 1X Rel. 0 and Rev. A, CDMA2000 1xEV-DO Rel. 0 and GSM/GPRS networks"

Yup. That part!

This discussion is just full of interesting information ... in reference to the Platform.alx, for which OS and in which fileset do those .cod files appear?

You guys are really top notch! I did not expect to get this much valuable information. I did some more research as well and it looks like Cingular is ready to roll out their version of PTT very soon. Here is an article:

BlackBerry Cool » Cingular To Launch Push-To-Talk Phone Service

And Cingular may also be set to get a PTT version of the BlackBerry Pearl?! Here is a link:

Cingular: Push-To-Talk Blackberry Pearl Coming In 4-8 Weeks - RIM Blackberry Forums - Pinstack.com

Any OS 4.2 code (although currently the only one publically available is the 8100 code).

As you can see, it is currently 'tied' to Cingular (102), although that portion can be removed and loaded on any non-Cingular device (it just want work, as it requires a service book).

Sprint's plans are to implement a new product through Rev A called Q Chat (they have talked about this in quarterly earnings and other news releases). This is intended to go side by side with direct connect (not compete) and will supposedly work as a gateway between sprint and nextel phones. So I think that you all are on the right track and should be able to be implemented into most rev A phones. Early reports on Q chat say it is just as fast as direct connect.

I guess the real question here is whether or not the 8703e will have an upgrade to Rev A????

If I read the processor specs correctly, the MSM6500 in the 8703e is not capable of leveraging EvDO Rev A. If that's correct then to make the 8703e work with the new Sprint Q Chat would require changes to both the hardware and the software. I can't imagine the hardware specs changing mid-production.

BG has suggested that we may see a CMDA Pearl as early as Spring '07 (I'm skeptical ...). Considering that, A) a new peice of hardware is needed to leverage EvDO Rev A in order to implement Sprint Q Chat, B) there are already rumour about the Cingular Pearl having PTT functional, it stands to reason that a CDMA Pearl might be the device to look at for PTT on CDMA networks ...

That, of course, is HUGELY speculative ...

And again ... everything I'm hearing from RIM suggests that (at least for CDMA carriers) we'll see a CDMA/GSM hybrid before we see a PTT enabled device.

Any unlocked (or Cingular-branded) 8700, 8800, 7130c/7130g, or 8100 running OS 4.2 (here's the key) and provisioned for PTT service (the other key) should have the functionality to utilize PTT on the handset. There is a service book associated to the service; when you open the PTT application, it will connect back to the carrier, check provisioning, and, if you are correctly provisioned, will download the service books with the gateway information to your handset and allow you to move on into the application and functionality.

This has been confirmed as working, just so you know.

All well and good for you GSM boys ... no love for CDMA ...

Now see the comparison
Chipset Comparison Tool

Obiviously either they just mean that it can just work on the Rev A network, but still on Rel. 0 speeds (backward compatability) or some dumb schmuck forgot to put the bullet point on there. Either way, if they put 2.4Mbps versus 3.1 then obviously this means that you're truly not getting the .7 more in speed .

Here is my original post on the rumor thread
http://www.blackberryforums.com/rumo...tml#post322852

But yeah, i agree with Jibi, it'll be interesting how they handle the PTT and Readylink and what sort of plan they have whether they're gonna push all the nextel peeps into Readylink or just keep them happy with the harmony project. We'll just have to wait and see from the coming years, or till 2010 which is when it's expected heh.

Sprint Nextel Teams With QUALCOMM and Lucent Technologies to Extend Industry-Leading PTT Services

the new PTT otherwise known as Qchat is not expected to be released until the early part of 2008, so i would not expect a blackberry to have it until mid to late 2008. Until then we have to hope nextel releases at least one new blackberry with the old PTT.

MSM6500 Chipset Solution

does state that the MSM 6500 supports Rev A. it's everywhere with exception of the comparison charts

I think PTT would cheapen the professional feel of the BB. I used to love PTT, but most people do not how to act when sending or receiving. I thought that I would be upset without it, but now I'm much happier.

I suppose I would be happy to have the option on the handheld, just as I would like a music player on the rare occasion that I need it, but I would not use either much. I guess the idea of having options at my disposal is good, but I would hate to see the BB completely open the market like that.