Nuance Verifier Voice Authentication Software Deployed in Canadian Telecommuncations Sector

Business Wire, Oct 29, 2002

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

MENLO PARK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 29, 2002

Tests Prove Nuance Verifier to be a Biometric Solution

for Canada's Largest Telecommunications Carrier

Nuance (Nasdaq:NUAN), the speech software experts, today announced that Bell Canada has selected Nuance Verifier 3.0 voice authentication software as a security solution for Speech Enabled Field Access System (SEFAS), the access to the dispatch system used by the carrier's field technicians. In deployment since early October, this Nuance-powered solution will, upon full roll out, ultimately enable up to 5,000 technicians to securely access and update customer installation and repair orders from any phone.

Security is paramount at Bell Canada, where thousands of field technicians are transmitting company information from remote locations. The carrier conducted an analysis of the Nuance technology before selecting it as the security biometric for SEFAS. The SEFAS system uses Nuance Verifier to authenticate the unique voice print of each field technician before granting access to the back-end system and allowing the technician to receive dispatch requests and update company information. This system is designed to help Canada's largest telecommunications carrier to reduce operational costs and reliance on notebook computers for tasks that can be performed via phone - improving efficiency and boosting customer service levels.

Here's how it works: first, using any telephone, a technician enrolls his/her voice by answering a few questions. Later, to access the SEFAS system, the technician provides his/her identification information requested by the system and the technician's voice is compared against the voiceprint on file. If there is a match, he/she is given access to the system. Nuance Verifier provides easy and secure access to information even in the most challenging, noisy environments. And just as a fingerprint is a unique physical trait, so is a voiceprint. It is based on the physical characteristics of an individual's vocal tract.

"Nuance Verifier is a state-of-the-art biometric technology that can be rolled out to thousands of users quickly and cost effectively. It works from any phone making it an ideal security solution for businesses of all types," said Ron Croen, president, CEO and chairman of Nuance. "Bell Canada is one of many carriers around the world gaining benefits from speech solutions in their operations."

Bell Canada's Speech Enabled Field Access System was developed in partnership with Datria, the leading developer of voice-enabled mobile solutions for workforce automation.

About Nuance

Nuance is the speech software expert. Nuance speech recognition, voice authentication and text-to-speech products enable people to access information and services anytime, anywhere, and from any phone. And the Company's comprehensive service offerings simplify the delivery of speech solutions. In markets around the world, leading carriers and corporations - including British Airways, Nomura Securities, OnStar, Sprint PCS, United Parcel Service, Vodafone, and many more - work with Nuance to reduce costs, increase customer satisfaction and retention, create new sources of revenue and improve security. Nuance is headquartered in Menlo Park, Calif. and has offices around the world. For more information, visit www.nuance.com or call 1-888/NUANCE-8.

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including, for example, those relating to the capabilities and security of Nuance verification technology and products; the anticipated and security, benefits and cost savings of deployments using Nuance verification products; and the overall success and completion of such deployments. There is no assurance that the results contemplated by any forward-looking statements will be realized. The following factors, risks and uncertainties, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those described or implied in this press release's forward-looking statements: the risk that use of Nuance verification technology will not achieve anticipated benefits; the risk that deployments based on Nuance verification technology will not achieve intended cost savings or operational benefits; the risk that deployments using Nuance products will not be expanded or fully deployed, and other factors described in Nuance's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to Nuance's last-filed quarterly report on form 10-Q. Nuance does not undertake to update any oral or written forward-looking statements that may be made by or on behalf of Nuance.

Note to Editors: Nuance is a trademark of Nuance Communications, Inc. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.