RNID has developed TalkByText Mobile Edition for people who are deaf or speech-impaired, who wish to be able to make textphone calls from their mobile phones.
RNID TalkByText Mobile Edition enables you to use a suitable mobile handset as a mobile textphone. You can use it to make text calls textphones and to voice telephones.
If your call is answered by a textphone (such as a Minicom), you can then type directly to each other. The letters appear on your screen almost immediately as the other person types them.
If instead the call is answered by a hearing person speaking, then an RNID Typetalk operator automatically joins the call to relay the conversation between text and voice.
If your network operator provides you with a roaming Internet connection, you can also make textphone calls to the UK from abroad.
Your mobile handset can still be used for voice calls and SMS messaging in the usual way.
TalkByText Mobile Edition cannot receive text calls or be used to contact the emergency services. Also, you cannot make voice-carry-over (VCO) or hearing-carry-over (HCO) calls using the service.
Despite these limitations, RNID TalkByText Mobile Edition does not require you to carry around anything more than your mobile handset in order to make real-time text calls.
The design of TalkByText Mobile Edition is technically capable of answering text calls and calling the emergency services. However RNID is running the service at present without cooperation or funding from Mobile operators. We would need integration with Mobile networks to manage incoming calls or emergency calls.
To use the TalkByText Mobile service, you need:
If you need a mobile textphone to do your job, or if you are at risk without one, you may be entitled to assistance. Please see our Factsheets for more information.
RNID TalkByText Mobile Edition is being successfully used with a wide range of handsets. Some people have been able to use their existing handset, while others have bought suitable new or second-hand phones. Here are the main requirements:
You can find a list of handset models that have been used successfully with the service at TalkByText Mobile Edition. Old handsets quickly go out of production and many new models are introduced each month. As a charity, RNID does not have the resources to test every new handset. If you find a new handset that works with TalkByText Mobile Edition, please tell us by emailing ict@rnid.org.uk so that we can let others know.
The TalkByText Mobile Edition program on your handset communicates with the TalkByText Mobile gateway service over the Internet.
You can use any of the five UK mobile networks (Vodafone, O2, T-Mobile, 3 or Orange). TalkByText Mobile Edition can be used by both contract and pay-as-you-go customers.
For use on the move, it is important that you have full Internet access on your phone using GPRS or 3G. Although all the mobile networks offer such access, unfortunately they use different names for the facility, so getting the right access set up can sometimes be a little difficult. WAP on its own is not enough. Even the ability to browse Internet websites on your phone does not guarantee that your connection is suitable. Technically, your handset needs to be able to send unrestricted data over TCP connections to servers on the Internet.
Alternatively when in the home, workplace or a wireless hotspot, you may be able to connect to the Internet (and the TalkByText service) using wi-fi or BlueTooth if your handset allows.
See Installing TalkByText Mobile Edition
Start the TalkByText Mobile program. After a short while, you should see "Connecting" on the screen. The handset is connecting over the mobile network, through the Internet to the RNID TalkByText gateway. After a few seconds you should see "Ready" which means that the system is ready for you to make a text call.
Type the full national number that you want (such as 012345678), select "Commands" and then "Call". The progress of your call will be shown in text on the screen.
When you are ready to end the call, press "Hang Up".
You can then make further text calls in the same way, or if you have no further calls to make then you can close the program.
Your existing mobile handset may be suitable for use with the service. But if you are considering buying a new handset (particularly a model that we have not listed), we recommend you discuss the suitability of the handset and the cost of any monthly contract with the sales assistant. Clearly, included "voice minutes" are of no value if you don't use them. As with any major purchase, it is always a good idea to choose a dealer who is willing to take the phone back after a few days if it proves unsuitable.
You will need to set up an account and put money in the account before you can make calls. When you make a TalkByText call, the cost for that call will be deducted from your account balance. If your balance reaches zero, you will not be able to make TalkByText calls. The TalkByText accunt is entirely separate from your mobile phone contract or Pay-as-you-go balance.
You are also responsible for the small cost of downloading the software (which is less than a tenth of a megabyte in size) and the initial SMS registration text message (typically 12p or less).
Because your calls are connected across the mobile Internet and across the ordinary phone network, the cost of your calls is slightly different from ordinary voice calls or landline textphone calls.
Any fixed charges for mobile service plus the cost of using your mobile Internet facility will continue to appear on your monthly bill or will be deducted from your pay-as-you-go balance by your mobile network provider. That cost depends mostly on the amount of text in each call. Mobile operators charge at relatively high rates for Internet data, but if you close the TalkByText Mobile edition program once you have finished making calls, the total cost of a typical call are comparable to the cost of an equivalent voice call. Most operators have packages with inclusive data bundles which can be cheaper if you use data services a lot.
You may be trying to download it to a computer (not recommended) or your handset may be unsuitable as it cannot run Java midlets such as the TalkByText Mobile program.
The most likely cause is that you do not have a full Internet connection. Ask your mobile network supplier to turn on full Internet access for your account.
Try closing and restarting it. If it still does not connect, the handset operating system may have crashed; turn off the phone, carefully remove the handset battery, then replace it after 15 seconds.
First please check that you have followed the given instructions. In particular, verify that your handset can connect to GPRS or 3G. Many Nokia handsets display a capital G in a square to indicate a GPRS signal.
If you still have difficulties using the service, please contact RNID New Technologies.
If you sign up for an account with TalkByText Web Edition you will be able to see you call records on the "call records" tab of the web site.
You will need to ask your mobile operator (O2, Vodafone, Orange, T-Mobile, 3) to enable your account for full Internet access.
Yes, if you send your mobile and SIM card by registered delivery (with full internet access enabled) to:
New Technologies
RNID
19-23 Featherstone Street
London
EC1Y 8SL
we will attempt to install the software for you and return the phone as quickly as possible.
You will need to ensure you include your return address and email us at ict@rnid.org.uk to agree a suitable date and let us know to expect the delivery. There might be a charge for this service.
Yes, you can call all textphone devices able to accept incoming text calls.