Abstract: A system, method, and computer program for providing a greater reliability for a direct-communication, such as push-to-talk communication, being bridged between members of a communicating group of wireless telecommunication devices. Each wireless telecommunication device, such as a cellular telephone or PDA, of a plurality periodically informs a group communication server of the presence of that wireless telecommunication device on the wireless telecommunication network such that upon receipt of a request from a wireless telecommunication device to bridge a direct communication, the group communication server will attempt to bridge the requested direct communication with the target set of wireless telecommunication devices only if at least one of the wireless telecommunication devices of the target set has indicated its presence on the wireless telecommunication network.