Lucent Technologies Launches Next-Generation Voice Dialing Service for Wireless Networks - Brief Article

Cambridge Telcom Report, March 27, 2000

Lucent Technologies (NYSE: LU) Monday announced advanced software for service providers that will make it possible for mobile phone users to dial phone numbers and access other calling services with simple voice commands. Lucent Mobile Voice Dialing is an enhanced service for wireless networks designed to help overcome the technical limitations and user frustrations of previous voice dialing services. It uses advanced speech recognition technology to deliver an intuitive user interface, simplified dialing list management and reliable operation. Mobile Voice Dialing is network-based software for wireless network operators, who can offer the service to their customers on existing mobile phones, eliminating the need for handset modifications or upgrades.

The Mobile Voice Dialing service, which is available now from Lucent Intelligent Networks, leverages the latest advances in speech recognition from Lucent Speech Solutions and Bell Labs. Additionally, this network-based voice dialing solution can be used with hands-free kits for mobile phones, helping network operators address safety concerns and legislative requirements for hands-free mobile dialing and calling.

"Research tells us that users want voice dialing, but until now the technology couldn't deliver on the promise," said Curtis Holmes, vice president for intelligent networks at Lucent Technologies. "This new technology will allow our service provider customers to offer their subscribers the convenience and safety of hands-free operations, no matter what handset the caller is using. We are confident this service will help satisfy the market demands of both mobile service providers and their customers while addressing the need for safer wireless calling technology."

Lucent's Mobile Voice Dialing service is currently in field trials with Chariton Valley Wireless Services of Moberly, Mo. Chariton Valley Wireless Services is initially offering mobile voice dialing on a trial basis to select customers in Chariton, Linn, Macon, Shelby and Randolph counties in north central Missouri. Chariton Valley Wireless Services plans to expand access to voice dialing services to its roaming partners in other parts of the state. "Our trial of Lucent's Mobile Voice Dialing is helping us offer our wireless customers the very latest technology for in-demand enhanced services," said Bill Biere, general manager for Chariton Valley Wireless Services.

The market for enhanced services such as voice dialing is growing rapidly. The Yankee Group, an industry analyst firm, projects service provider revenue from voice dialing services will grow by a factor of 10, to nearly $500 million, within the next five years.

Lucent's Mobile Voice Dialing can be a foundation for operators to build an entire suite of revenue generating speech-controlled services, such as business listings, location-based services and feature activation. Because Lucent's Mobile Voice Dialing solution is network-based, service providers can maximize their revenue opportunities by offering these services to all of their subscribers regardless of which generation of handsets users may own.

"Service providers have always thought of voice dialing as an isolated service, but it should be an integral part of a broader solution," said Holmes. "Lucent Mobile Voice Dialing is a great starting point because it's a service everyone can understand. Once users realize the value and ease-of-use that our new speech-controlled services offer, they will be much more apt to purchase other enhanced services in the future."

Mobile Voice Dialing features include support for full-duplex hands-free kits, star code access, voice dialing by name and by phone number, on-line help, user-defined and service provider-defined phone books, an initial call tutorial for new users and multiple language options.

Lucent's Mobile Voice Dialing increases network efficiency by using standard IS-41 functionality, eliminating the costly use of system resources for the duration of each call, commonly known as hairpin trunking. Mobile Voice Dialing operates on Lucent's recently introduced Enhanced Media Resource Server (eMRS), a next-generation programmable resource server that enables service providers to rapidly deploy new Internet and speech-enabled calling services for both wireless and wireline networks. Lucent's eMRS is designed to support Internet protocol (IP), packet and telephony network standards as well as a broad range of network interfaces.

Lucent's Mobile Voice Dialing is now available for wireless network operators.

Lucent Technologies, headquartered in Murray Hill, N.J., USA, designs and delivers the systems, software, silicon and services for next-generation communications networks for service providers and enterprises. Backed by the research and development of Bell Labs, Lucent focuses on high-growth areas such as optical and wireless networks; Internet infrastructure; communications software; communications semiconductors and optoelectronics; Web-based enterprise solutions that link private and public networks; and professional network design and consulting services. For more information on Lucent Technologies, visit its Web site at http://www.lucent.com.