The history of cellular push-to-talk solutions

1996
Nextel launches iDEN service and enjoys several years of strong revenue thanks to the push-to-talk differentiator in the cellular market.

2002
Qualcomm touts QChat technology as an effective P2T competitive solution for CDMA operators. Nextel buys the rights to the technology.

2003
Verizon, Sprint come to market with cellular P2T solutions. Lack of QoS for VoIP services hinder call set-up times and cause latency problems.

2005
Sprint acquires Nextel, cellular P2T solutions improve.

2006
Sprint Nextel iDEN customers begin defecting amid poor network quality claims.

2008
Sprint launches P2T devices based on Qualcomm’s Qchat technology in 2008, a move that allowed it to offer push-to-talk services over its EV-DO Rev. A network with the goal of shuttering iDEN network.

2009
Sprint ends QChat amid quality concerns, decides to refocus efforts on P2T over iDEN.

2011
Sprint to launch enhanced version of QChat in the fourth quarter. Major operator poised to launch enhanced VoIP-based P2T from Kodiak Networks with sub-second call set-up.