Sprint WebCapTel is a free web-based service that allows a person who can speak but is hard of hearing over the phone to view and read word-for-word voice-to-text transcriptions of the recipient’s speech during a phone call in a web browser.

A user would make or receive calls while logged into Sprint’s website (www.sprintcaptel.com) and hear the person on the other line using any mobile phone, landline, cordless phone, or even an amplified phone. The user will hear the other person speak through any telephone, not through the internet or web browser. However, during the call, captions appear on the user’s web browser so that he can read what the other person is saying.

To place an outgoing phone call, log into www.sprintcaptel.com, and you will be at the “Place Call” screen. It will ask for two phone numbers - your “My Telephone Number” for the telephone you will be listening on and speaking through, and the “Number to Dial” for the person you are calling. Enter both phone numbers, then press “Place Call”. WebCapTel will dial your phone number first. Answer your phone when it rings, then it will dial the person you are calling.

To received an incoming phone call, click on the tab “Incoming calls.” Input the phone number of the telephone you will receive calls on. Have your callers dial 1-800-933-7219. After dialing 1-800-933-7219, the caller will be prompted to enter your 10 digit phone number, then press pound (#). When your phone rings, answer it and then view captions of the call in your browser window.

WebCapTel supports Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari and even Opera 9.0. Visit Sprint WebCapTel for registration and more details.