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WirelessDevNet.com Press Release
Landline Phones Learn the Language of Text Messaging
OVERLAND PARK, Kan., -- It's true that the younger crowd is the most familiar with text messaging terms like "LOL." But with the EMBARQ Text-to-Landline service, landline users of all ages can "laugh out loud" too.
With more than 158 billion text messages sent in 2006, "LOL" and other acronyms like it were sent in text messages 300,000 times per minute, according to the Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association. That figure could increase now that EMBARQ's Text-to-Landline service allows EMBARQ(TM) Wireless customers to send text messages to any landline phone across the United States.
The text message is translated to voice, to which landline recipients can listen and respond. Landline recipients can respond with a voice message of their own or choose one of five pre-programmed text responses such as "yes," "no" and "where are you." The wireless user receives a text message notifying them that this voice message is waiting. When an EMBARQ Wireless customer sends a text message and it is delivered to the recipient, the customer will receive a confirmation message saying it was delivered or left on voicemail.
"The new Text-to-Landline service is another way that EMBARQ is integrating its portfolio of services," said Dennis Huber, senior vice president of Product Development at EMBARQ. "As the line between the home phone and wireless phone becomes blurred, and as convergence takes on new meaning, EMBARQ wants to give customers simple, yet effective ways of communicating that fit into their daily lives."
The Text-to-Landline service understands a dictionary of shorthand text messages such as "LOL," "BRB (Be Right Back)" and "B4N (Bye For Now)" that can be translated into full wording for landline customers.
"EMBARQ is in a great position to take advantage of this application because it is in tune with both the wireless and wireline phone markets," said Mark Carlin, vice president of sales for the Americas at TeleMessage, a technology vendor for the Text-to-Landline service. "They have millions of fixed line customers that can now hear text messages and respond with ease."
Text-to-Landline is available to all EMBARQ Wireless customers. Customers who use the service will pay only standard text message fees.
For a demonstration of the Text-to-Landline service, please contact Michele Pinnau, EMBARQ media relations manager at 321-439-3898.
About EMBARQ
Embarq Corporation (NYSE: EQ), headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas, offers a complete suite of common-sense communications services. The company has approximately 19,000 employees and operates in 18 states. EMBARQ is included in the S&P 500.
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