WASHINGTON-Telesta Inc. said it will offer mobile text phone service in the United States later this year, a development that will enable hearing- and speech-impaired people to use small wireless communicators.
Telesta, of Andover, Mass., said the service has been tested on mobile phone networks in Europe for more than a year. Finland’s Nokia Corp. has integrated Telesta’s mobile text phone service into its Nokia 9000il Communicator smart phone.
On Sept. 2, the first global mobile text phone call was made between the Swedish Embassy here, by Yerker Andersson, a former Clinton disability adviser, and the Swedish king and queen.
Telesta said the service requires the installation of hardware by wireless carriers, but the firm declined to specify the cost to operators. The cost to disabled people is expected to be in line with wireless voice calls, according to Telesta.
“While millions around the world make use of the freedom and power of mobile telephones, deaf and hearing-impaired individuals have been excluded from employing mobile telephony,” said Telesta Chief Executive Officer Erik Snabb.
