Push to Talk FAQ's

What is Push-to-Talk (PTT)?

• Push to Talk (PTT) is a walkie-talkie type service that allows the customer to instantly reach others by eliminating the dialing and ringing steps in a regular cellular call. Push to Talk calls can be made to one person or to a group of people.
• It is a special feature on a mobile phone that combines the functionality of a walkie-talkie or 2-way radio with the normal handset features.
• It provides simple communication to a group of people with just a touch of a button.
• It is often referred to as ‘Push to Talk over Cellular (PoC)’.

Who is PTT for?

• PTT is for Digicel Corporate and Retail customers.
  

How do corporate customers apply for the service?

• Customers will apply for the service through the Retail stores or through the bda_corpcare@digicelbermuda.com email address.
  

What are the benefits of being a PTT user?

• The benefits of using the Digicel’s PTT service are:
  
  • Instant Voice Communication – With the look and feel of a two-way radio system, the PTT user will simply press the designated PTT button in order to talk and their voice is transmitted immediately to the selected subscriber(s) - no dialling, no ringing, and no waiting for the other side to answer.
  • Group Communications – One-to-many instant voice sessions enable users to talk to multiple recipients. Users can select recipients on an ad-hoc basis or select a pre-defined group from the contact list.
  • Contact list – Server based and internal phone contact lists are maintained. Predefined contacts and groups are created on the server, in addition to the personal contacts that the user adds to the internal contact list on his/her phone.
  • Presence – Users can determine their availability as it is displayed to others, and view the availability of their contacts.
  • Cost saver - One-way communication using PTT facility is more cost-effective. Users can convey a message to multiple persons at the same time, thereby helping them to cut down on expenses. The Group Chat facility ensures the customer not only faster communication among many persons, but is also cost efficient. PTT also does away with multiple calling in order to set-up a conference call.

How does PTT work?

• PTT is based on half-duplex (ability to speak over the same channel but not at the same time). It uses Voice over internet protocol (VoIP) technology over the 2nd generation GSM/GPRS network.
• With the use of IP technology, the Push to talk service uses cellular access and radio resources more efficiently than circuit-switched cellular services, reserving network resources only for the duration of talk spurts instead of an entire call session.
• All the customer needs is a PTT enabled phone. The phone looks like a regular mobile phone, but has an additional built in PTT button.
• By pressing the PTT button, the customer can use this phone to speak to a group of people instantly and simultaneously, unlike a normal phone where the customer can speak to only one person at a time.
• The person who keeps the PTT button pressed would be able to speak while others can hear him/her. Thereafter the caller releases the PTT button, and whoever else in the group wants to talk presses the button and gets the floor for everyone else to listen.
• PTT groups are possible only when both the caller and the receiver have subscribed to the service.
• A PTT call will end when the initial caller ends the call. However throughout the call other members of the group can end the call whenever they wish.

What is half duplex?

• Duplex modes often are used in reference to network data transmissions.
• Half duplex refers to the transmission of data in one direction at a time.
• A walkie-talkie and by extension a PTT device is a half-duplex device because only one party can talk at a time.
• In contrast, a cellular phone is a full-duplex device because both parties can talk simultaneously.
• PTT handsets combine the flexibility of a half duplex walkie-talkie device with the conventional handset.

Is there a subscription fee for PTT?

• Yes. BMD25.00 (with existing voice service) OR BMD45.00 (PTT only) per month per subscriber.

Are postpaid customers required to pay their regular monthly subscription fee in addition to the PTT subscription fee?

• Yes. The customer will be required to pay their regular monthly subscription fees along with the PTT subscription fees.
  

Can prepaid customers apply for the PTT service?

• NO. Not at this stage, only for postpaid Retail and Corporate Customers
  

Are customers required to purchase additional handsets to access this service?

• Yes. The Push to Talk service can only be used on those phones which are Push to Talk capable.
• Note: Only Nokia Digicel PTT handsets can be used for this service.

Which Nokia handsets can be used for the PTT service?

• Currently only the Nokia 5140 will be available for the PTT service, other Nokia PTT handsets will be rolled out post launch.
  

Are customers required to purchase a new SIM card for this service?

• No. The Push to Talk service can be provisioned for the customer’s current Digicel SIM.
• Note: PTT settings need to be sent to the phone OTA (over the air).
  

How many persons can be in a PTT user group?

• Minimum – 2 PTT users is the minimum per group.
• Maximum – 100 PTT users per group.

Can a customer sign up for multiple PTT plans?

• No. Each company/ customer is associated with a single domain.
• A MSISDN can only be assigned to one Domain at a time.

Will a customer’s subscription be pro-rated if they should join or leave a PTT group in the middle on the month?

Yes. Charges for the PTT service will be prorated.
• Pro-ration rules still apply.
• Note: When a customer leaves a PTT group in the middle of the month the subscription fees will not be prorated. Customer should be advised to use up the entire months Push to Talk service and discontinue the service for the next bill cycle.
  

Does the PTT package include bundled minutes?

• No. PTT does not include any bundled minutes for voice and/or SMS.
  

Does the PTT package include SMS bundles?

• No. PTT does not include any bundled minutes for voice and/or SMS.
  

How does a customer make a PTT call?

• The Push to Talk service must be initialized on the customer’s phone for it to become active. This is accomplished by pressing the PTT button, press “yes” to turn on PTT if it is off. Wait for the prompt (a beep).
• Once initialized, the customer may speak to subscribers in their PTT user group or make a one to one call.
• In order to place a call to them press and release the PTT button to view individuals and groups.
• Highlight the person they wish to call, then push and hold the PTT button.
• The customer may begin speaking after the tone.
  

What happens when a customer receives a regular voice call while on a PTT call?

• While a customer is using their PTT service (and they are currently speaking) they will not be interrupted if another person tries to call them.
• Incoming regular voice calls will go directly to voicemail.
• Customer will not notice a change during their PTT call.

What happens when a customer receives a PTT call while on a regular voice call?

• If a customer receives a PTT call while they are on a regular voice call, the voice call will not be interrupted.
• The customer will not receive any indicator that they have missed a PTT call.
• The person who tried to call the customer will also receive not indicator that the person was unavailable.
  

Can Digicel PTT customers talk to PTT users from other mobile companies?

• No. Digicel PTT subscribers can only speak to other Digicel PTT subscribers.
• Note: Only Digicel PTT subscribers can communicate with each other.
  

Can Digicel PTT customers talk to PTT users from other PTT groups / domains?

• No. Digicel PTT subscribers can only speak to other Digicel PTT subscribers in their Digicel PTT Domain/ group.
• Note: Only PTT subscribers on the same PTT domain can communicate.
  

Can postpaid customers who are one-way (credit limit) barred make PTT calls?

• Yes. Postpaid users who are credit limit barred can make PTT calls however they will not be able to make voice calls that are outside of their bundle.
  

Can postpaid customers who are one-way barred (warned) make PTT calls?

• No. Postpaid users who are in the warned state cannot make PTT calls neither are they able to make voice calls.
• Postpaid customers in the warned state can still make bundled calls.
  

Can postpaid customers who are two-way barred (dunned) make PTT calls?

• No. Postpaid users who are in the dunned state cannot make PTT calls neither are they able to make and or receive voice calls.