SAN RAMON, Calif.—Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications L.P. signed an agreement with push-to-talk vendor Kodiak Networks to install Kodiak’s PTT software in its phones. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Kodiak does not charge handset makers for the use of its software. The company instead is working to sell its PTT product to wireless carriers. Already, Kodiak has scored sales to Alltel Corp. in the United States and Orange SA in Europe.
Bruce Lawler, Kodiak’s co-founder and executive vice president of business development and product marketing, said the company’s technology includes support for push-to-talk services as well as group voice messaging, PTT call waiting, Internet-based PTT management, presence information and other features. He said Kodiak plans to support the PTT specification from the Open Mobile Alliance when it is finalized.
Kodiak also has signed handset agreements with the likes of Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., LG Electronics Co. Ltd. and others.
Interestingly, Sony Ericsson appears to have taken an open approach to the PTT market. The company last year signed a similar agreement with PTT vendor Sonim Technologies Inc. and has installed the company’s software on its T637 phone.
