Hi folks. My first post in the forum.

Nextel has recently rolled out their new DirectTalk service. DirectTalk is push-to-talk, like their famous DirectConnect service, but DirectTalk is not network-dependent. From their press release, the service uses 10 channels and 15 "privacy codes" in the 900Mhz ISM band, it is "digital" (which could mean different things), and they claim "up to" 6 miles range.

So, with one Nextel phone, you could have regular cellular service, DirectConnect, text messaging, I believe email, too, and now DirectTalk (with compatible models). DirectTalk communications can be one-on-one or group broadcast. Seems like this gives you a lot of options when communications are swamped with users or just plain knocked out, and it's all in one phone.

Has anyone used the new DirectTalk feature, particularly in an urban setting?

(I'm not affiliated with Sprint Nextel in any way)