News Releases
October 21, 2011
Sprint Announces Next-Generation Mobile Solution for Hard of Hearing
Android Users
Wireless CapTel® by Sprint® powered by Raketu® lets users read mobile
conversations with the aid of captions
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (BUSINESS WIRE), October 21, 2011 – Sprint (NYSE: S)
today announced the availability of Wireless CapTel by Sprint powered by
Raketu, an application on select Android phones that increases accessibility
in mobile communications for individuals who are hard-of-hearing.
Wireless CapTel by Sprint allows users to read conversations with real-time
word-for-word captions on their wireless phones. Wireless CapTel by Sprint
users place a call in the same way they would when using a traditional phone
– by dialing the number directly on the device. The revolutionary
application then connects callers directly to the CapTel service when the
phone is dialed. When the receiving party answers, callers can listen to
what the other person is saying and also read captions on the phone’s
display screen.
The application can be downloaded on select Android 2.2 or higher devices
from the Android Market for free with an Everything Data plan*.
Wireless CapTel calls are automatically routed through a captioning service.
Users simply give friends, family, and other contacts their specialized
Wireless CapTel by Sprint phone number to receive captions on every call.
“Sprint Relay is pleased to add another groundbreaking solution to its
portfolio – and bring to the market a service that improves our customers’
experience,” said Mike Ellis, director-Sprint Relay.
For more information about the service, go to http://www.sprintcaptel.com.
The Wireless CapTel by Sprint application marks another breakthrough by
Sprint for the deaf and hard-of-hearing communities. The company recently
marked an industry first with the Sprint Relay ID pack – a bundle of
applications, links, tips, icons, and widgets enabling a more robust
wireless experience for those with hearing loss. The bundle includes voice
mail transcripts, visual and vibrating alerts, and readable captions, all
available in a single download. The bundle marks the first time a carrier
has developed multiple applications in one package for those who are
hard-of-hearing.
About Sprint Relay
Sprint is the largest and most technologically advanced Telecommunications
Relay Service provider in the nation with more than 20 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 this field assures Sprint Relay users
receive quality service regardless of the type of relay service they are
using. Sprint’s 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.
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 served more than 52 million
customers at the end of 2Q 2011 and is widely recognized for developing,
engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including the first
wireless 4G service from a national carrier in the United States; offering
industry-leading mobile data services, leading prepaid brands including
Virgin Mobile USA, Boost Mobile, and Assurance Wireless; instant national
and international push-to-talk capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet
backbone. Newsweek ranked Sprint No. 6 in its 2010 Green Rankings, listing
it as one of the nation’s greenest companies, the highest of any
telecommunications company. You can learn more and visit Sprint at
www.sprint.com or www.facebook.com/sprint and www.twitter.com/sprint.
About CapTel
CapTel is a registered trademark of Ultratec, Inc. In partnership with
Ultratec, CapTel services are available as a component of Sprint’s array of
Relay services. Designed for people who are hard-of-hearing, CapTel users
place a call in the same way they would when using any other phone – by
dialing the number directly on a special Captioned Telephone. The phone
connects callers to the CapTel service as the number is dialed. When the
other person answers, callers can listen to what the other person says while
reading captions on the phone’s display screen to catch words that may be
missed. Captions appear nearly simultaneously with spoken words.
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.
About Raketu
The Wireless CapTel by Sprint application is powered by Raketu technology.
Since 2006, Raketu Communications Inc. has been developing leading edge
applications that provide communications services for customers and
businesses, across mobile, tablet, desktop and laptop devices. Raketu has
developed and released many first-to-market applications, including mobile
video calling, cloud based video calling, and server-less peer-to-peer
communications. Raketu currently has users in over 150 countries around the
world. For more information, visit the company’s website at: www.Raketu.com.
* No voice plan is required for Wireless CapTel by Sprint. Specialized
reduced-cost plans for people with hearing loss are available at
www.sprintrelaystore.com/wcs. You must have a hearing loss and be a resident
of the United States to use the service. If you plan to make regular,
non-captioned calls, you may be charged extra if you do not have a cell
phone voice plan with a number of minutes allocated.
Contact(s):
Sprint
Mark Bonavia, 913-315-1284
[email protected]
Source:
http://newsroom.sprint.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=2080&view_id=6284