Sprint Unveils New Look, Features for SprintRelayOnline.com

From: Sprint - Jul 17, 2003

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sprint Unveils New Look, Features for SprintRelayOnline.com

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – July 17, 2003 – Sprint has streamlined its Internet Relay service, www.SprintRelayOnline.com, adding new features and introducing a fresher look to the site to ease navigation and use.

Two of the newest features include the addition of help via American Sign Language video clips and the unique Sprint Relay Online "Smart Button." Users who add this Smart Button to their browser's toolbar can highlight a phone number anywhere in a browser window, then simply click on the Smart Button to initiate a relay call to the highlighted number. To add the button to your browser, go to www.SprintRelayOnline.com and click on the "Get SRO Smart Button" link on the front page.

Sprint Relay Online combines Telecommunications Relay Services with the ease and ubiquity of the Internet, allowing users to make calls from any PC or Web-enabled Internet device without having to use traditional TTY equipment.

Users simply access www.SprintRelayOnline.com and using the fields on the homepage, plug in the number to dial for a call. Customers can provide the relay operator with special instructions and select from three language choices: English, Spanish or French. Once a call begins, dialog will be seen as a split computer screen image; one side for the caller text and the other for the operator-relayed response. Callers can avail themselves of American Sign Language (ASL) emotion icons -- or emoticons -- to direct the relay operator's tone of voice and inflection. Currently, seven symbols provide a range of feelings to help to make relay conversations as expressive and realistic as possible.

There is no charge for using Sprint Relay Online (including domestic long-distance fees) and call transcripts can be saved or printed by customers if they wish. Service is available 24 hours a day.

Sprint is the nation’s leading provider of telecommunications relay services (TRS), which include video and Internet relay, with over a decade of experience. The U.S. government, 30 states and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico currently rely on Sprint’s 11 relay operations centers to provide service to millions of deaf, hard-of-hearing and hearing-impaired customers nationwide. Additional information may be found at www.sprint.com/relay

About Sprint
Sprint is a global integrated communications provider serving more than 26 million business and residential customers in over 100 countries. With approximately 70,000 employees worldwide and nearly $27 billion in annual revenues, Sprint is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying state-of-the-art network technologies, including the United States’ first nationwide all-digital, fiber-optic network and an award-winning Tier 1 Internet backbone. Sprint provides local voice and data services in 18 states and operates the largest 100-percent digital, nationwide PCS wireless network in the United States. For more information, visit www.sprint.com.

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