Push-to-talk (PTT) is back in the news.

Motorola Solutions has just announced its acquisition of Twisted Pair Solutions (News - Alert), a provider of push-to-talk technology that spans PCs, office phones and specialized radios.

The Seattle-based Twisted Pair has developed a software-based Wave PTT system that uses IP networks with gateways to specialized radio networks. So it is not limited to one carrier or type of technology.

This system means that push-to-talk can be employed more widely than it commonly has been in the past.

Twisted Pair’s offerings include software for Windows, Android, iOS, BlackBerry and Windows Mobile devices, as well as for Web browsers and Microsoft (News - Alert) Lync and SharePoint.

Calls can go over private networks and any existing telephony carrier.

One of the most widely known push-to-talk services was that offered by Nextel, until recently. The U.S. operator, acquired by Sprint (News - Alert) in 2005, was best known for its PTT service that ran over its specialized iDEN network, but it was shut down last year.

There are wider applications for PTT technology, however, which is probably why Motorola (News - Alert) purchased the company.

Nextel’s PTT was popular among construction companies and other industries where instant communications mattered. It serves as a form of walkie-talkie, and can enable quick communication without as much trouble as dialing a number.

PTT technology still has wide applicability for construction and similar industries, such as cable installation. Any industry that requires field workers can benefit from PTT.

This can have applications in the contact center and elsewhere as well, where there is the need for quick verbal communication. Managers can quickly reach out to key employees, especially under tight project deadlines where speed is essential.

In the contact center, the technology could be used to reach into other departments for quick answers, or to flag a manager up the chain of command for escalation.

Technologies such as that offered by Twisted Pair enable wider use of PTT since it doesn’t necessarily require a single carrier to communicate. This opens the doors to many innovative uses that have yet to be explored.

There may be more news about PTT in the months ahead.