In a push-to-talk communications network, a method of transmitting a message from a sending device to a set of receiving devices is disclosed. The method includes selecting the set of receiving devices from a contact list on the sending device, such that each of the receiving devices has an address on the contact list. The method also includes transmitting the message to a message server, wherein the sending device is coupled to the message server; storing the message within the message server; and assigning the message an identifier. The method further includes notifying the set of receiving devices that the message can be retrieved, wherein each of the set of receiving devices is coupled to the message server. Advantages of the invention include a standards-based solution that combines the flexibility of mobile messaging with the ease-of-use of voice.