Talk to me

Article Abstract:

Voice recognition technology is seeing real-world applications in telephone services, including operator-assisted calls, voice commands for dialing and messaging, and advanced features for rotary telephones. AT and T is introducing voice recognition for collect, third-number, person-to-person and calling card calls, doing away with the need for a live operator. Nynex Corp is introducing voice command technology in 1993, linking individual voices and up to 20 commands to particular numbers and services. U S West is working toward a Voice Interactive Phone (VIP) system for rotary telephone users to access the same services as push-button users. While there are still problems to be overcome with voices that cannot be clearly recognized and some potential user confusion, telephone companies see voice recognition as a viable business opportunity. Credit card companies are also looking into the technology for their services. The major advances in voice recognition will occur when it is combined with artificial intelligence, allowing systems to understand rather than merely recognize speech.

Innovations, Services, Telecommunications services industry, Telecommunications industry, Telephone, Telephony, Customer service, Automation, Voice recognition, Speech recognition, Telephones, Interactive Systems

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LDDS joins Metromedia, Resurgens deal

Article Abstract:

Long-distance telephone-service providers Metromedia Communications Corp, Resurgens Communications Corp and LDDS Communications Inc plan a three-way merger. With annual revenues of $1.5 billion, the new company would rank a distant fourth in the $55 billion US long-distance market, behind AT and T, MCI Communications Corp and Sprint Corp. Presumably the merger will be consummated via stock swaps. John W. Kluge, owner and chairman of Metromedia Co, Metromedia Communication's parent company, would chair the merged companies and own 20 percent of the stock. LDDS Pres and CEO Bernard J. Ebbers would have those same positions in the new company. Shareholders of LDDS would own 68.5 percent of the new firm's voting securities.

Mergers, acquisitions and divestments, Long distance telephone services, Long-distance telephone service, RCGI, MCI Inc., Merger, LDDSA, Resurgens Communications Group Inc., Metromedia Communications Corp.

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