Maine Relay Begins Offering Mobile Captions Service(SM) for Individuals With Hearing Loss

AURORA, Neb., April 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Hamilton Relay, the exclusive Telecommunications Relay Service provider for the state of Maine, today announced the availability of Mobile Captions Service (MCS). As of April 18, individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing will be able to read captions on a mobile phone using Voice Carry Over (VCO) technology.

Developed by Mobile Captions Company, Hamilton Relay and Consumer Cellular, the MCS program lets subscribers speak, listen and read during a wireless phone conversation made on the Nokia E5. The Nokia E5 smartphone is M3/T3 hearing aid-compatible and comes with a large, 2.4-inch display and full QWERTY keyboard. The MCS program is available exclusively on the Nokia E5.

"Mobile Captions Service is valuable for the residents of Maine because it allows VCO users to stay in touch with friends and family while on the go," said Dixie Ziegler, vice president of Hamilton Relay. "Today, we all rely on our cell phones. That's why we're committed to delivering advanced mobile device solutions designed for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing."

Similar to closed captioning on television, Mobile Captions Service allows subscribers to read text of their phone conversations on the screen of their Nokia E5 smartphone. A specially trained operator types what the other person says. MCS subscribers can then read what is said directly on the screen of the Nokia E5, making it possible to catch every part of the conversation.

"We are pleased to extend this valuable service to the residents of Maine," says William Nye, Chairman of the Maine Telecommunications Advisory Council. "We're certain Mobile Captions Service will allow our residents with hearing loss to more easily communicate with their family, work colleagues and friends, allowing them to be more independent."

MCS is offered in participating states where Hamilton Relay is the Telecommunications Relay Service provider. For information about additional participating states or to be alerted when a new state signs on, visit www.consumercellular.com/mobilecaptions. To purchase the Nokia E5 visit www.consumercellular.com/mobilecaptions or call 1-888-725-4428.

About Hamilton Relay

Hamilton Relay offers a variety of services including Traditional Relay Services, Captioned Telephone and Internet Relay services.  Hamilton provides Traditional Relay and/or Captioned Telephone services to 18 states, the District of Columbia, the Island of Saipan and the Virgin Islands. More information is available at www.hamiltonrelay.com.

About Consumer Cellular

Consumer Cellular, the exclusive wireless provider for AARP members, was founded in 1995 on the belief that everyone should have affordable access to the safety and convenience of cellular service. The company provides its customers with simple, affordable cell phones and calling plans, guaranteed satisfaction and top-ranked customer support staff all located within the United States.  Plus, Consumer Cellular customers never have to sign a long-term contract in order to start service.  

The Portland, Ore.-based company is privately held and utilizes the nation's largest voice and data network, covering more than 296 million people - or 97 percent of the U.S. population.  Consumer Cellular is one of  the nation's leading wireless wholesalers and differentiates itself from its competitors providing its customers with an unparalleled understanding of the mature marketplace, great low rates and the best cellular network available.  For more information: visit ConsumerCellular.com or call (800) 686-4460.

About Mobile Captions Company

Mobile Captions Company (MCC) is an emerging technology and service company founded in 2009. MCC specializes in bringing enhanced mobile communications to people who are hard of hearing. MCC's technology is a patent-pending, end-to-end system that allows captions (text) to be delivered to any MCC enabled cell phone over the cellular infrastructure. To learn more about Mobile Captions Company, go to www.mobilecaptions.com.

SOURCE Hamilton Relay