Ofcom has published details of its proposals to improve fixed-line and mobile communications services for people with hearing and speech impairments. It wants all UK network providers to offer access to a next generation ‘text relay’ service, enabling users with hearing and/or speech impairments to communicate via telephone or textphone equipment.
The current system requires an intermediary to convert speech to text and vice versa for the two parties, which can be slow. The proposed new services would be faster and available online via PCs, laptops, tablet computers and smartphones.