Ultratec Announces New IP-Based Captioned Telephone

Editor: CapTel is the phone of choice for lots of people with hearing loss, and you can be sure many of them will be interested in this new model from Ultratec. Because the phone is connected to the Internet users can activate captioning at any time on either an incoming or outgoing call. Here's more information from the folks at Ultratec!

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April 2009

New model of CapTel(r) phone provides captions over the Internet

Ultratec, Inc. today announced the CapTel 800i(r) telephone - a new addition to the company's Captioned Telephone line of products and services that help people with hearing loss use the phone. Designed specifically for use with high-speed Internet service, the CapTel 800i gives people the advantage of written text captions to help understand what their phone callers say.

Unlike previous CapTel models which rely on only an analog telephone line, the new CapTel 800i connects to both a telephone line and an Ethernet / IP connection. The telephone line carries the voice portion of the call, in the same way as any other typical telephone conversation. At the same time, the Ethernet / IP connection automatically links the CapTel 800i over the Internet to the CapTel Captioning Service. Operators at the Captioning Service use voice-recognition technology to transcribe everything the caller says into text, which is instantly transmitted to the CapTel 800i over the Internet connection. The captions appear on the phone's display screen, giving users the ability to hear what they can of the phone conversation and read what they need to on the display screen.

This seamless, behind-the-scenes connection to the Internet automatically gives CapTel 800i users captions on any call - incoming or outgoing. Captions can be turned on or off at any time during the call, so they are available to help clarify things whenever the user has difficulty hearing what a caller says.

The new CapTel 800i features a large 5-inch screen that displays captions in a variety of sizes and colors for easy reading. The phone includes other convenience features, such as powerful amplification (up to 40dB ), a phone book to quickly dial frequently-called phone numbers, and 1-touch access directly to CapTel Customer Service for convenient on-demand help*. The phone's menu system follows a simple Yes-No format that makes settings easy to change.

This is the latest offering in Ultratec's CapTel line, joining the CapTel Model 200(r) - a captioned telephone designed for use with traditional analog phone lines. An Internet-based service, WebCapTel(r), is also available to let people view captions of any telephone call in their computer's web-browser window.

Requirements

The new CapTel 800i requires both telephone service and high-speed or broadband Internet access. The telephone connection can be any telephone service, including standard analog line, VOIP connection, DSL, or cable modem telephone service (an analog port is required for use with a digital PBX). The Ethernet connection can be any basic broadband Internet service (it does not work with dial-up connections). People who do not already have Internet access should consider the CapTel 200, an alternative that relies on standard analog telephone lines instead of an Internet connection.

Availability

The new phone is expected to be available later this summer.

About Ultratec, Inc.

Considered the world's leading developer of text telecommunication (TTY) products for people who are deaf or hard of hearing, Ultratec, Inc. has been dedicated to making the telephone more accessible since 1978. Headquartered in Madison, Wis., the company has been instrumental in developing new technologies and services for people with hearing loss, including its standard-setting series of TTYs, the Simplicity line of visual signalers, and its CrystalTone family of amplified phones. The company's most recent innovation, CapTel - which is now available on a variety of platforms, has dramatically improved telephone access for people nationwide as well as created extensive new job opportunities to help support the service.

Ultratec works with Relay services, 911 and emergency services, state and federal agencies, and local and national advocacy groups to ensure greater accessibility for people with hearing loss.

*On demand Customer Service will be available during standard business hours only (Mon-Fri, 8:00am-5:00pm CST). A help center is available online 24 hours a day at www.CaptionedTelephone.com <http://www.CaptionedTelephone.com> .