Mobile phone for the deaf approved by the Swedish Handicap Institute
Mobile phone for the deaf approved by the Swedish Handicap Institute Mobile TextPhone, a mobile telephone service developed by Aspiro for the deaf, hearing- and speech-impaired, has been approved as assistive technology for the disabled and is now recommended by the Swedish Handicap Institute. Mobile TextPhone is a text-based telephone service that offers the deaf and people with impaired speech and hearing the possibility to communicate with text in real time via Nokia 9110 mobile phones. Mobile operator Europolitan launched the service, developed by Aspiro, on the Swedish market in May 1998. Later that year it won the award "The year's best service for disabled persons" from the Disability Ombudsman in Sweden. The Swedish Handicap Institute has now tested and approved the Mobile TextPhone service, a package that includes a Nokia 9110 mobile phone and a subscription with GSM operator Europolitan. "I am extremely happy that there is now a mobile solution for text telephony. The product/service has been added to our "List of Good Help Aids", which is a register of the products that we have found to be excellent aids for disabled persons. We shall also work towards ensuring that the persons requiring this service will get the financial support they need for mobile text phones," says Magnus Fritzson, the administrator in charge of telecommunication for persons with disabilities at the Swedish Handicap Institute. "Since its launch in 1998, the service has never experienced a single stoppage. This proves beyond all doubt that it fulfills the highest demands within the telephony sector", says Erik Snabb, product manager for Mobil TextPhone at Aspiro. Mobile TextPhone will also shortly be available in Denmark. In the middle of November, the Danish operator, Telia Mobile, will begin offering the application to customers. For more information, please contact: Magnus Fritzson, administrator telecommunication, The Swedish Handicap Institute, tel: +46 (0)8-620 18 14 e-mail: magnus.fritzson@hi.se Helena Gynnerstedt, press officer, Aspiro AB, tel: +46 (0)40-630 03 00 e-mail: helena.gynnerstedt@aspiro.com Johan Holmgren, press officer, Europolitan AB, tel: +46 (0)708-33 14 00 e-mail: johan.holmgren@europolitan.se About Aspiro Aspiro provides mobile Internet services, promoting life in motion, using cutting-edge knowledge and technologies. Aspiro offers operators, content providers and mobile organizations a wide range of solutions, from pre- packaged portal services to industry-specific solutions. Founded in 1998, Aspiro is today an important player in the global mobile Internet market. 125 people currently work for the company, which has offices in Sweden, Luxembourg and USA. Aspiro's business concept, organization and operations are based on many years of experience gained in the mobile telecommunications and IT industries. For more information, please visit www.aspiro.com About Europolitan Europolitan AB is a Swedish GSM operator dedicated to service and quality. The company has its head office in Karlskrona and is a market leader in the development of advanced technical services for GSM 900/1800. The Europolitan group, which includes the listed parent company Europolitan Holdings AB and Europolitan's subsidiaries, Europolitan Stores AB, Ocom AB and Doberman AB, currently employs around 1,200 people. For more information, please visit www.europolitan.se About the Swedish Handicap Institute The Swedish Handicap Institute aims at improving the quality of life for people with disabilities. Its major tasks is to ensure access to high quality and well-functioning assistive technology and to work for an increased access to society. The Institute's work includes stimulation of research and development, analyses of needs and testing of assistive technology. It also gives out information and performs training to professionals regarding assistive technology for different categories of disabilities. The Institute is also involved in international research and co-operation projects in the field of assistive technology and accessibility. HI is governed by the Swedish Government, the Federation of Swedish County Councils and the Swedish Association of Local Authorities. For more information, please visit www.hi.se ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by BIT http://www.bit.se The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/11/06/20001106BIT00660/bit0001.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/11/06/20001106BIT00660/bit0002.pdf