AT&T cuts PTT service to $5 per month, intros new phone
September 16 2008 - 2:02 pm ET | Allie Winter | RCR Wireless News
Samsung's Rugby handset
AT&T Mobility announced it will halve the monthly cost of its push-to-talk service — from $10 per month to $5 — likely a defensive response to Verizon Wireless’ recent PTT price drop from $10 to $5 a month. The activity could indicate a PTT price war, as Sprint Nextel Corp. remains at the $10-a-month price point.
A PTT price war has precedent; Verizon Wireless was first out of the gate with a $100 per month unlimited calling offering, but was jointed within hours by its rivals.
In conjunction with the PTT price cut, AT&T Mobility also introduced a new PTT phone, the Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. “Rugby.” The rugged device supports AT&T Mobility’s video-sharing feature, and works on the carrier’s 3G network. The new device costs $130 with a $50 mail-in rebate and two-year agreement.
“As AT&T’s best-in-class rugged device, only Rugby brings users like construction foremen and landscape designers the ability to share live video from one phone to another,” said Jeff Bradley, senior VP of business marketing and operations for AT&T Mobility. “Employees can literally see more than one work site at one time.”
AT&T Mobility’s PTT announcement comes on the heels of recent PTT moves by Verizon Wireless. Verizon Wireless launched two new PTT devices on its CDMA2000 1x EV-DO Revision A network. Sprint Nextel too is working to boost its push offerings having recently rolled out its own Rev. A PTT service that is interoperable with its legacy iDEN PTT service that counts more than 15 million users.
September 19, 2008 04:16 pm
Please keep in mind that Sprint includes the PTT service with their Simply Everything plans. Unlike the competitors they also include free 7pm nights and weekends, unlimited web access, free tv channels and Sprint exclusive content, unlimited GPS (with actual verbal and visual turn by turn directions), E-mail access, and for the sports fans free NFL mobile and NASCAR Sprint Cup Mobile. What does the competition offer? Unlimited voice only???
September 18, 2008 06:01 am
Sounds like we have alot of Sprint haters around here. At&t's PTT is ok but not on the same level as Sprint-Nextel's Iden or qchat for that matter. Verizon's PTT is more competition but still falls short. Sprint's ptt handsets and number of users you can PTT with make it the clear King of walkie-Talkie service period. Don't get it twisted.
September 17, 2008 01:40 pm
So far everyone has avoided comment on live streaming video calling. I Googled ‘Samsung Rugby’ and saw the video calling overview at att’s site -did not see anything like that on VZW, Sprint, and T-Mo’s site. Seeing what is going on in the field matters more to me than $5 PTT.
September 17, 2008 11:03 am
The simple advantage for Sprint Nextel PTT is the 15 million customers you can talk to. Granted they are loosing customers.....But the PTT customers they are loosing are consumers that never really needed or wanted the PTT. The hard core users will stay with Nextel. Not because they want to , but because of interoperability. When a VZW PTT can talk to a ATT PTT, then the game will change. Until then, Sprint Nextel is still king in PTT.
September 17, 2008 06:05 am
They story facts are wrong. VZW was NOT first to offer an unlimited plan. it was in fact SPRINT. Not well publicized but they in fact offered it first and VZW then jumped on the band wagon! Come on RCR, too easy to research- no excuses!
September 17, 2008 06:00 am
verizon is always the trend started ,and all wireless companies follow they're lead ,so i say verizon is still the top dog while att follows behind ,
September 17, 2008 06:05 am
I support the construction industry from VZW and I have multiple companies switching to our PTT service. Its just as fast as nextel with a network that actually works and customer service folks to speak to when you happen to have a question. Its amazing why Sprint continues to loose customers.Sprint continues to cut jobs, selling towers, basically everything they can to stay in business. The nextel customer base will diminish 1 customer at a time. The same way they built that ecosystem, we will tear it apart.make it a great day.
September 17, 2008 06:05 am
Sprint/Nextel? Are they still in business?ESMR is not dead?Will the last customer please turn off the light when they leave....
September 17, 2008 06:05 am
This is to Eddie, you are a joke!!! You either know nothing about the wireless industry or you work for att or RCR. To think anything can beat the Sprint PTT network is fooloish and ill informed!!! You should stay off these sites because you are a fool!!
September 17, 2008 06:05 am
This is to Eddie, you are a joke!!! You either know nothing about the wireless industry or you work for att or RCR. To think anything can beat the Sprint PTT network is fooloish and ill informed!!! You should stay off these sites because you are a fool!!