Maryland Relay Begins Offering Mobile Captions Service(SM) for Individuals with Hearing Loss

AURORA, Neb., April 5, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Hamilton Relay, a leading Telecommunications Relay Service provider, has announced the availability of Mobile Captions Service (MCS) in the state of Maryland. As of April 1, individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing can read captions on a mobile phone using Voice Carry Over (VCO) technology. Hamilton Relay is the exclusive Telecommunications Relay Service provider for the state of Maryland.

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

"We are committed to delivering advanced solutions designed for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing so that they can understand what is being said on the phone," said Dixie Ziegler, vice president of Hamilton Relay. "Mobile Captions Service allows VCO users to stay in touch with friends and family while on the go."

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 mobile device, making it possible to "Catch Every Word!(SM)" of the conversation.

"We are pleased to extend this valuable service to the residents of Maryland," says Brenda Kelly-Frey, Director, Telecommunications Access of Maryland. "Accessing needed relay services from a mobile device allows for a mobile lifestyle that has previously been unavailable to relay users."

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 phone visit www.consumercellular.com/mobilecaptions or call 1-888-725-4428.

About Maryland Relay

Maryland Relay is a free public service that allows persons with hearing or speech loss to stay independent on the telephone.

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. As one of the nation's leading wireless wholesalers, Consumer Cellular is able to purchase wireless service in large volumes, providing its customers with the best of both worlds: 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