PhoneCaption Provides Free Telephone Captioning Services

Editor: The FCC has approved American Network, Inc. to provide a captioned telephone service for folks with hearing loss. It sounds similar to existing captioned telephone technology. I've requested additional information from the company. But in the meantime, here's their press release.

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February, 2009

American Network, Inc., announced today that it has been approved by FCC to provide TRS services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities. FCC approval further validates American Network's service model and a great success as it forays into TRS with its first service offering of PhoneCaption.com, servicing the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

PhoneCaption's service uses innovative, patent-pending technology allowing the Deaf and Hard of Hearing to see captions while talking on the phone! As the caller speaks, the Hard of Hearing individual receives the speech in text captions to read via the web or on an IP phone screen display. PhoneCaption is the first service of its kind in the world to provide phone captioning on IP phones.

Phone Caption is a service specifically designed for people who are Hard of Hearing, late deaf or accidental deaf to use the phone to make calls and to receive the caller's voice in text over the internet or via IP phone. The text displays real-time captions of the current conversation similar to the method used for TV programs. The captions are typically displayed on a screen embedded into the telephone base, if the user has IP phone such as a Cisco 7960, otherwise, captions are provided over the web.

Service is free for those who are medically recognized as Deaf or Hard of Hearing. It is being funded by FCC and available for Americans in the USA.

The telecommunication relay service market is undergoing profound changes in its technology infrastructure as the need to communicate through a variety of deaf user interaction channels becomes more prevalent. As a result, TRS operators and telecom service providers must find more efficient means to provide equal access for deaf users in an increasingly complex global business environment. PhoneCaption interoperates with diverse core systems through Web services/XML that seamlessly deliver captioning text to deaf users. American Network solutions provide integration of telecom and internet through instant messaging, relay services and delivery of text to IP phones.

Free captioning is available from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. EST daily. PhoneCaption plans to extend the service to 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To register for this free service and receive your assigned 10-digit telephone number, create an account on PhoneCaption.com.

PhoneCaption is your communication link to equal access.

About PhoneCaption.com:

Since its inception in 1991, American Network, Inc. has been in the telecommunication industry offering a variety of telecom services including internet services, CLEC services, and others. Now, with its approval from FCC, it has transformed itself into a Relay Service provider. With its past experience in Hostedacd, call centers, and CRM services, it has created a new offering under the trade name PhoneCaption. American.net and its affiliated companies have always been in the forefront of innovation both on technology and services.