Big push is on [mobile phones]

Nokia's announcement that all its new handsets will include 'push to talk' (PTT) as a standard feature means that 2004 could be the year when text messaging is finally eclipsed as the dominant mobile technology. Already established for business use in the US, PTT is predicted to create a new telecoms market worth more than $50bn within five years. The technology is usually likened to giving handsets walkie talkie functionality, allowing groups of up to 10 users to communicate without dialling a number or waiting for anyone to pick up. Benefits for business users-like security patrols or maintenance staff who operate over a wide area but need to keep in touch are obvious and outweigh the fact that only one person can speak at a time.