Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing reliable data communications over an unreliable voice dispatch communications channel is provided. A voice dispatch channel is established between an originating mobile station (102) and a target mobile station (104). The voice communications channel uses a Push-to-view reliability protocol that utilizes real time protocol data packets (500) and real time control protocol control messages (600) to provide the reliable data communications. Data is sent from the originating mobile station to the target mobile station using the RTP data packets. When the target mobile station determines that it is missing data or that the data is corrupted, it sends a negative acknowledge to the originating mobile station using RTCP control messages.