U.S. Cellular Selects BeVocal for Voice-Activated Services
U.S. Cellular, a wireless service provider, has selected BeVocal's VoiceXML-based software to provide customized voice services for its customers.
BeVocal's solution will enable U.S. Cellular users to access voice-activated dialing, voice-enabled email, voice-activated voicemail and voice portal services for added safety and convenience.
"Voice-activated services are another example of U.S. Cellular's commitment to customer satisfaction and ongoing investment in products and technologies that enhance our customers' lives," said Alan D. Ferber, vice president of marketing for U.S. Cellular. "Our customers will be able to access these services from their wireless phones, enabling them to achieve greater convenience and productivity."
The new software platform will enable U.S. Cellular customers to place calls by speaking a person's name or phone number; listen to, delete and respond to e-mail and voice mail messages over the phone; store and retrieve contact information; and access information services such as news, stock quotes and sports. In addition, the services will provide users with customized voice services that help reduce the risk of driver distraction and promote wireless phone safety.
"We are pleased to partner with U.S. Cellular, a leader in bringing innovative services to market," said David Hood, CEO of BeVocal. "Our software platform will provide U.S. Cellular customers with personalized services that enhance wireless communications as well as position the company for future growth."
Bill Benton, financial analyst with William Blair, added, "U.S. Cellular is leveraging the latest technology to differentiate itself in the marketplace. In this era of heightened competition, U.S. Cellular's approach of providing customers with easy-to-use and highly personalized enhanced services should go a long way toward attracting new market segments and retaining current customers."
BeVocal's voice application suite includes voice dialing, voice-activated voicemail, email reading, voice portal services and personal information management (PIM), which enables address book and calendaring functionality. Carriers using BeVocal's open, standards-based software platform can select and bundle any of these customized applications to create personalized services for their end-users. Service providers like U.S. Cellular can also draw from BeVocal's VoiceXML developer program, the BeVocal Café, for a variety of voice applications applicable to either businesses or consumers.