System and method for managing access to a push-to-talk-over-cellular communication network

A method of managing access to a push-to-talk-over-cellular (POC) talkgroup, the method comprising:

• providing a control device configured to:
• provide a POC service;
• and manage a first POC talkgroup;
• providing a first subscriber device;
• transmitting, from the first subscriber device to the control device, first non-subscriber contact information associated with a first non-subscriber device;
• and
• controlling the control device to grant the first non-subscriber device access to the POC service and the first POC talkgroup such that the first non-subscriber device is permitted to join the first POC talkgroup and communicate via the first POC talkgroup using the first POC service.

A method of managing access to a push-to-talk-over-cellular (POC) talkgroup, the method comprising:

• providing a control device configured to:
• provide a POC service;
• and
• manage a first POC talkgroup;
• granting a first non-subscriber device access to the POC service and the first POC talkgroup such that the first non-subscriber device is permitted to join the first POC talkgroup and communicate via the first POC talkgroup using the POC service;
• transmitting, from the control device to the first non-subscriber device, a first communication including a link to download a POC software application configured to join the first POC talkgroup and communicate via the first POC talkgroup using the POC service;
• and
• controlling the first non-subscriber device to install the POC software application and use the POC software application to communicate with the first POC talkgroup via the POC service.