Press release, Business Wire
Image included
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March 05, 2008 12:00 PM Eastern Time
Sprint's Hard of Hearing Customers Benefit from New and Free Web-
Based Solution
Sprint WebCapTel® Solution Shows Captions over the Internet During
Phone Calls; Facilitating Easier Conversations
OVERLAND PARK, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sprint (NYSE:S) today released
Sprint WebCapTel®, a new free web-based service that allows a person
who can speak but has challenges hearing over the phone, to read word-
for-word captions of their calls on a web browser. This new service
is expected to help an estimated 23 million Americans with hearing
loss, who may face challenges hearing over the telephone.
"We are always looking for ways to offer unique and easy user
experiences for our customers. This new solution from Sprint will
offer the hard-of-hearing community with the ability to enjoy the
benefits of a natural phone conversation by accessing real-time web-
based captions," says Mike Ligas, director of Sprint Relay.
With Sprint WebCapTel®, users can make and receive calls on their own
telephone, cell phone, land-line, or even an amplified phone. During
the call, if they have difficulty hearing what is being said, they
can log into www.sprintcaptel.com and read written captions of
everything their caller speaks. Captions appear virtually at the same
time as the person speaks, allowing users to enjoy a natural
telephone conversation.
With this new service, CapTel® is available almost anywhere with a
phone and internet access on a computer. Using any phone, even
amplified phones, Sprint WebCapTel® will capture the audio of the
person speaking to the user and change the spoken sounds into words
to read. When displayed on a web browser, the user can change the
font size, color, and even background. When a call is completed, the
user can save the captioned conversation for later review, allowing
the user to concentrate on being involved in the conversation.
"WebCapTel puts people with hearing loss back in control of their own
telephone conversations - any time, anywhere - by capitalizing on the
convenience and prevalence of the Internet," states Robert Engelke,
president of Ultratec, Inc., the company that developed CapTel
technology. "It gives people with hearing loss the confidence to rely
on the telephone again, leveling the playing field for professional
opportunities, in social situations, and in matters of personal
safety."
This free service is available for Sprint customers anywhere in the
United States and within US Territories. However, calls to or from
international locations, such as Canada or Mexico, are not available.
To learn more about this free service, visit www.sprintcaptel.com
Sprint has 17 years of experience in providing relay services to
persons who are deaf, hard of hearing or deaf-blind or have a speech
disability to communicate with hearing persons on the phone. Sprint's
experience in the field assures users of Sprint Relay receive quality
service no matter what type of Relay service they are using. Relay
service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with no
restrictions on the number of calls placed or call length. For more
information, visit www.sprintrelay.com.
Sprint WebCapTel is an extension of Sprint's existing CapTel®
service, which also provides captions during phone calls, but
requires a specialized telephone to display the captions.
CapTel and WebCapTel are registered trademarks of Ultratec, Inc.
ABOUT SPRINT NEXTEL
Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline
communications services bringing the freedom of mobility to
consumers, businesses and government users. Sprint Nextel is widely
recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative
technologies, including two robust wireless networks serving
approximately 54 million customers at the end of 2007; industry-
leading mobile data services; instant national and international push-
to-talk capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. For more
information, visit www.sprint.com
ABOUT ULTRATEC INC.
Ultratec, Inc. is the world's leading developer of text
telecommunications equipment for people who are deaf or hard of
hearing. Since 1978, the company has been responsible for numerous
advancements in telecommunications technology, including a full range
of text telephones, public telephones, amplified telephones, and
signaling systems for people with hearing loss. Ultratec works
extensively with government agencies, emergency services, and local
and national advocacy groups to ensure equal telecommunications
access for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Contacts
Sprint
Media Contact:
Sukhi Sahni, 703-592-7779
sukhi.sahni
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