Sprint Announces Internet Relay Service For Deaf Nationwide computer service is new way to phone
July 8, 2002

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Herndon, Va. - July 8, 2002 - Sprint (NYSE: FON, PCS) has introduced new calling convenience for computer savvy deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals with the launch of Sprint Relay OnlineSM, an Internet relay service is available at this website. Sprint Relay Online users can easily customize and complete phone calls via computer links as an alternative to traditional teletext (TTY) devices.

Relay services allow the deaf and hard-of-hearing to communicate readily with the hearing population through an operator intermediary. A relay call can now be made from a computer at home or work; anywhere an Internet connection exists. And compared with a TTY device, that conversation can be customized for a more personalized communications experience.

"With our Internet relay service, a TTY unit is not a necessity for making a relay call," explained Tony D'Agata, vice president, Sprint's Government System Division. "Another advantage is the absence of Internet call toll charges. Customers on the go can connect a laptop to payphones or hotel lines and call online, enjoying their mobility and freedom from additional devices."

Users simply dial their Internet service provider (ISP) to access the website. Once there, operator instruction can be given on a call set-up page to ask for a specific person, to type slowly, or select service announcement options, among others. The web application connects the user with a relay agent who dials and facilitates the intended call. The dialog can be seen as a split computer screen image; one side for the caller text and the other for the operator relay of the called party's response. Call transcripts can be saved or printed.

Internet relay calls are highly interactive. Screen text size and color can be specified for both the caller and operator screens. Macro buttons -- GA (go ahead), SK (stop keying) and PLS HOLD -- are part of the application. As a further innovation, American Sign Language (ASL) emotion icons -- or e-moticons -- are available to direct the operator's tone of voice and inflection. Currently, seven symbols for a range of feelings help to make live conversation as expressive and realistic as possible. Spanish and French Creole language options are available. Other features include connection status (connecting, disconnected, busy, ready) and male or female operator specification.

The service also accommodates the hard-of-hearing (HOH) that wish to speak for themselves, thanks to a capability called Two-line Voice Carry Over. The user connects with Sprint Relay Online via computer to call his/her standard phone. With three-way calling conference capability, the Internet relay user will then conference in the relay operator and the hearing party. The HOH user speaks directly to the called party while reading the typed responses online generated by the Internet relay operator.

Sprint Relay Online service is available 24 hours a day. Users need a computer, phone line connection, web browser such as Microsoft Internet Explorer v4.0 or Netscape Communicator v4.78, and Internet service. Relay calls over the Internet do not incur toll charges.

Sprint network reliability leads the industry. In 2001, for the sixth consecutive year, Sprint's long distance network has been the highest quality network among major carriers according to fewest Federal Communications Commission-reportable outages.

Sprint is the nation's leading provider of telecommunications relay services (TRS) with over a decade of experience. The U.S. government, 27 states and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico currently rely on Sprint to operate 10 relay centers and offer the power of communications many take for granted to a population that otherwise would be isolated. Relay services in each state were mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and are paid for by all local phone customers through state fees included on monthly bills. Additional information is found at this website.

About Sprint
Sprint is a global communications company serving more than 26 million business and residential customers in over 70 countries. With approximately 80,000 employees worldwide and more than $26 billion in annual revenues, Sprint is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying state of the art network technologies, including the United States' first nationwide all-digital, fiber-optic network. Sprint's award-winning Tier 1 Internet backbone is being extended to key global markets to provide customers with a broad portfolio of scalable IP products. Sprint's high-capacity, high-speed network gives customers fast, dependable, nonstop access to the vast majority of the world's Internet content. Sprint also operates the largest 100-percent digital, nationwide PCS wireless network in the United States, already serving the majority of the nation's metropolitan areas, including more than 4,000 cities and communities.

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