A little over a year after launching its Push-To-Talk (PTT) service, Cingular Wireless, now part of the new AT&T, today gives customers the option of experiencing the service on a pay-per-use basis.

Customers can now use the company's PTT service, as needed, for $.15 per minute. In addition, a customer can receive several enhanced PTT features unavailable on similar services offered by some other carriers including:

- Availability - unique icons allow PTT users to see if other PTT customers are available before making a PTT call.
- Convert to Cellular - enables a PTT call to be converted to a regular wireless voice call. Calls with up to 30 participants can be converted effectively creating a mobile conference call.
- Voice Messaging - allows customers to send a voice message to one person or a whole group.

PTT pay-per-use is charged per minute and begins when the PTT button on the phone is pressed to initiate the session to when the end key is pressed. If the end key is not pressed to end the call, it will automatically time-out after 30 seconds. Minutes round up to the nearest whole minute. PTT also offers a number of other features, including:

- Quick Group Calling - allows users to select individuals from their contacts and instantly place a group call.
- Call Waiting - gives customers the option to accept or decline a second
incoming call whether currently on a PTT or regular cellular call.
- Contact Alerts - lets customers receive alerts when a contact becomes
available.
- Call Me Alerts - allows a user to urgently let someone know they need to
talk. A user receiving a "Call Me Alert" can instantly place a PTT call
back by pressing the dedicated PTT key.

The service also uses a single phone number for both cellular and PTT service, eliminating the need to remember two numbers.

Customers of AT&T's wireless unit who are interested in signing up for an unlimited monthly PTT plan can add service for $9.99 a month per line. Those on Family Plans can select a $19.99 feature that gives up to five family members on the account unlimited access to the service. Businesses can add a PTT service option to each line of service for $9.99 per month.