Telstra customers can now receive a new service called Voice2Text, which will allow subscribers to read their voicemail by a text message.
The innovative service is a joint operation by Telstra and UK based company, SpinVox. SpinVox uses a voice message conversion system to capture spoken words and automatically convert them into text using a combination of voice recognition, artificial intelligence and natural linguistics.
SpinVox co-founder and CEO, Christine Domecq, showed a lot of enthusiasm about introducing the service to Australia.
“I am delighted that more Australians will soon be able to use the simple, easy to use Voice2Text service which saves customers valuable time and removes the inconvenience and hassle of having to dial voicemail and find a pen and paper to take down the content of messages,” she said.
The Voice2Text service will also display caller ID in the text message, which allows consumers to easily indentify who the message is from.
Telstra consumer executive director, Glenice Maclellan, commented on this “the Voice2Text service means customers don’t have to write down telephone numbers from their voice messages, it will allow people to quickly and discreetly read the content of their voicemail and make prompt decisions”.
Ross Fielding, Telstra product management executive director, commented on how the service was initially only available for businesses, but due to positive feedback, became available to the general public.
“We have found that our customers are embracing new ways of communicating, where the solution adds flexibility and convenience to their lives and saves them valuable time,” he said.
Telstra are offering the Voice2Text service on a free trial for the first month, after this period customers can choose a variety of monthly pricing options.
These include a pay as you go option, which is charged at 40 cents per message (with a $5 monthly fee) or $15 plan that offers 500 messages a month.