IM this article to a friend!

February 19, 2004

Sprint Unveils SprintRelay.com, a 'One-Stop Shop' for Industry-Leading Relay Services for the Deaf

PRNewswire (press release) - Feb 19, 2004

OVERLAND PARK, Kan., Feb. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Sprint (NYSE: FON - News, PCS - News) today unveils www.sprintrelay.com which provides one-stop, direct access to all telecommunications relay services offered for the deaf, hard-of-hearing and speech-disabled customers. The Web site offers a fresh look allowing user- friendly access to Sprint Relay Online (via the Internet), Sprint Video Relay and information about other Sprint Relay products and services. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20001013/SPRINTLOGO )

With specific instructions about how to use Sprint's various relay services and direct access to utilize the national video and Internet relay services, www.sprintrelay.com allows customers to visit one Web site for all their relay service needs. The Web site also features a newsletter for customers to learn about Sprint's overall involvement and commitment to the deaf and hard-of-hearing community.

"We're pleased to simplify web access for our relay services customers," said Mike Ligas, region vice president, Sprint Relay. "Previously we had separate Web sites for each of our relay products, which are still accessible directly for customers. But it is critical to have a 'one-stop shop' at a Web address that is easier to communicate via traditional relay, Internet and video relay and provide customers user-friendly access to meet all their relay service needs."

Sprint has more than 13 years of experience in providing relay services and is the TRS provider for 32 states plus the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the federal government. Sprint Relay services will allow those who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind or speech-disabled to communicate with hearing persons on the phone through traditional, online or video relay services. Sprint's experience in the field provides the assurance that all services delivered will meet or exceed Federal Communications Commission mandates for TRS.

Traditional relay services involve a relay operator serving as an intermediary for phone calls between a deaf user and a hearing party. The TRS operator speaks words typed by a deaf user on a text telephone (TTY) or via the Internet and relays the hearing person's spoken response by typing back to the deaf user.

Sprint and CSD (Communication Services for the Deaf) launched the first nationwide Video Relay Service in May 2002 and requires users to have a personal computer or television monitor, a Web camera or videophone and high- speed Internet connectivity such as cable and DSL. Sprint Video Relay, powered by CSD, is a free service through the internet that enables the deaf or hard-of-hearing user to communicate in American Sign Language to hearing caller.

Sprint Relay Online is also a free service that combines TRS 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.

Sprint Government Systems Division ( www.sprint.com/gsd ) is based in Herndon, Va., and offers the full range of Sprint product and service offerings for federal and state government customers. Sprint Relay began in 1990 and provides state-of-the-art technology, a full range of features and highly trained, professional staff to ensure users are able to communicate easily and effectively every time they place a relay call. Relay service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with no restrictions on the number of calls placed or call length.

About Sprint

Sprint is a global integrated communications provider serving more than 26 million customers in over 100 countries. With approximately 67,000 employees worldwide and over $26 billion in annual revenues in 2003, 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 communications services in 39 states and the District of Columbia and operates the largest 100-percent digital, nationwide PCS wireless network in the United States. For more information, visit www.sprint.com .