REVIEW: Sprint Nextel’s QChat-based PTT performs admirably
CDMA-iDEN sessions work without hitch
September 30 2008 - 5:59 am ET | Dan Meyer | RCR Wireless News
Editor’s Note: Welcome to our weekly feature, Yay or Nay. Every week we’ll review a new wireless application or service from the user’s point of view, with the goal of highlighting what works and what doesn’t. If you wish to submit your application or service for review, please contact us atrcrwebhelp@crain.com.
Application: Sprint Nextel Direct Connect
Running On: Motorola V950 and LG LX400
Yay: Near instantaneous push-to-talk performance. Interoperability with millions of iDEN handsets. Feature-packed devices.
Nay: Missing a few features compared with its competitors. No-go when outside of EV-DO. And do people still want PTT?
We Say: Sprint Nextel’s recently revised, CDMA-based PTT offering performs as well as the iDEN benchmark and maintains the carrier’s position as head of the PTT herd.
Review: With the wireless industry’s three largest operators all offering push-to-talk options, it makes sense to have a look at what segment leader Sprint Nextel is doing in the space. The carrier recently updated its PTT service (coinciding with its upgrade to CDMA2000 1x EV-DO Revision A network technology) and is now using Qualcomm’s QChat technology for push to talk. The offering allows the carrier’s CDMA and iDEN customers to chirp at each other.
Similar to Verizon Wireless’ CDMA-based PTT offering (which we also recently reviewed), Sprint Nextel’s version provides for more feature-packed handsets that can take advantage of the carrier’s Rev. A network. The handsets used for this review included a ruggedized Motorola V950 that comes in a rubberized package that just begs to be dropped. The other device was an LG VX400, a mid-range, consumer-oriented device splashed in a snazzy shade of maroon.
So how does the PTT service work? Very well. Initial call setup between the two CDMA-based handsets was lightning quick. The service appeared to be a tad quicker than the initial call setup of Verizon Wireless’ non-QChat service and just about on par with Sprint Nextel’s industry-leading iDEN service.
The latency during PTT sessions was barely perceptible, and call quality was as good as normal wireless voice calls.
The more compelling test involved a PTT session between a CDMA and iDEN handset, which allows Sprint Nextel to tap into the approximately 15 million iDEN customers carrying around PTT devices. Call setup was just as quick when initiating a PTT call from a CDMA handset to an iDEN handset, though PTT action initiated from an iDEN phone took a fraction longer. Latency while in a PTT session was again not an issue.
However, when outside of Sprint Nextel’s EV-DO coverage area, the service ground to a halt. We managed to find an area where there was 1x coverage only, and a push of the rubberized, CDMA PTT button returned a pop-up message that the service was unavailable. The pop-up suggested we make a cellular call. How rude.
For comparison, when outside of EV-DO coverage, Verizon Wireless just slows down, but at least the PTT service is still available.
Another drawback to bringing an iDEN handset into the equation was the need to have the traditional iDEN Direct Connect number to initiate a call. This has long been a bugaboo of the iDEN technology, in that it requires two phone numbers, one for traditional voice calls and one for PTT calls.
The Sprint Nextel service also lacks the presence capability offered by competitors, which allows the user to see if their intended PTT partner has their phone on. With the Sprint Nextel service, attempts to connect to a powered-down phone returned a pop-up that the user was not available.
Despite the few drawbacks, Sprint Nextel's CDMA-based PTT service continues the carrier's leadership in the chirp-chirp space.
October 1, 2008 04:10 pm
They're just trying to kill iDEN with the QChat, but they can't even surpassed the iDEN's push to talk capabilities.What a lossers...
October 1, 2008 05:59 am
I recently upgraded to the phone tested above, the V950 ( Renegade ) by Motorola. I had the LGLX400 prior. The LGLX400 worked great in the New York and New Jersey markets where I travel to frequently but when I returned back to Michigan it started not performing as well. The data services stopped connecting and was not allowing the unit to get a fresh new profile update. The Renegade on the other hand was hard to get a hold of due to stock but Sprint managed to get one to me within 3 days. The phone works great with all that is offered by Sprint. The biggest draw back I have found so far is, the buttons are very hard to push and can get bothersome when trying to text on the fly. The rubbertized suit is nice because of the great drop factor but the buttons takes some getting used to. Just to add I have heard people I work with say the the Sanyo's do work best on the Sprint network with EVDO or not.
October 1, 2008 05:59 am
I cant believe what I am reading I am a Fire Chief in CT. and we picked up 6 of the Sanyo Pro 700 phones last month. Nothing but problems from really poor voice quality and most days you had to do a reset on the the phone to get the PTT back. Needless to say we sent all the phones back and went back to iDen.
October 1, 2008 05:59 am
I agree with that guy Dave. I live in Minneapolis and have had the Sanyo Direct Connect phone for two months and it is by far the best phone out there. It came highly recommended when I went into the Sprint store. My wife bought one of the other Direct Connect phones mentioned above and has had nothing but trouble with dropped calls and poor speaker quality. She switched to the Sanyo and loves it!!!!! If you have Sprint you have to carry Sanyo.
September 30, 2008 04:12 pm
Thanks for the feedback but I am amazed you did not test the Pro-Series by Sanyo. One ruggized with Military Spec and one without. Both by far the best of the Sprint Nextel Direct models and also their best sellers. Any reason for this oversight?
September 30, 2008 04:12 pm
Thanks for the feedback but I am amazed you did not test the Pro-Series by Sanyo. One ruggized with Military Spec and one without. Both by far the best of the Sprint Nextel Direct mondels and also their best sellers. Any reason for this oversight?
September 30, 2008 04:12 pm
Thanks for the feedback but I am amazed you did not test the Pro-Series by Sanyo. One ruggized with Military Spec and one without. Both by far the best of the Sprint Nextel Direct mondels and also their best sellers. Any reason for this oversight?