OVERLAND PARK, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sprint (NYSE: S) today announced the availability of Wireless CapTel by Sprint powered by Raketu, for all iOS-powered devices. The new app increases accessibility of mobile communications for individuals with hearing loss.
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 iOS devices from the Apple App Store or iTunes for free with an Everything Data plan. Sprint currently provides Wireless CapTel on select Android devices.
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. For more information about the service, go to www.sprintcaptel.com.
"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.
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 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.
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.
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
Sprint offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services bringing the freedom of mobility to consumers, businesses and government users. Sprint served more than 55 million customers at the end of the first quarter of 2013 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. The American Customer Satisfaction Index rated Sprint as the most improved company in customer satisfaction, across all 47 industries, during the last five years. Newsweek ranked Sprint No. 3 in both its 2011 and 2012 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.
