New York, NY – October 26, 2011 - - Raketu, a leading global Internet communications company, today announced a Partnership with Sprint (NYSE: S) to provide mobile applications that allow deaf and hard of hearing users to read their conversations with the aid of captions.
Wireless CapTel® by Sprint® allows users to read conversations with real-time word-for-word captions on their wireless phones. Designed for hard of hearing users, Wireless CapTel by Sprint users place and receive calls in the same way they would when using a traditional phone. The revolutionary application then connects directly to the captioning service where the user can listen to what the other person is saying, and at the same time, read captions on the phone’s display screen. Due to FCC regulations, only individuals with a hearing loss can use this app.
“We are thrilled to partner with Raketu to develop an exciting new app providing access to CapTel on Wireless Devices,” said Mike Ellis, Director-Sprint Relay.
The Wireless CapTel by Sprint application powered by Raketu technology is currently available on Android devices and runs over 3G, 4G and WiFi networks. The application can be downloaded from the Android Market.
Raketu continues to be a market innovator and expand its mobile and desktop offerings giving users the most comprehensive communications services. With the recent addition of the RakDroid application, Android users will now be able to make free Raketu to Raketu voice, video and IM calls, make voice calls to landline/mobile phones, and send text messages over 3G, 4G and WiFi. Raketu has by far the lowest rates for global dialout and texting. The application can be downloaded from the Android Market.
Raketu, based on its patent pending proprietary technology, does not use your computer/device for other users’ communications. Raketu, unlike Skype, is supernode free. Being supernode free also provides a more secure environment for your communications needs.
About Raketu Communications Inc.
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 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.
Sprint is a trademark of Sprint. Android and Android Market are trademarks of Google Inc. Raketu is a registered trademark of Raketu Communications Inc. Other marks are the property of their respective owners.
