ETurbo
Frequently Asked Questions
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Q1. What is E-Turbo?
A1. E-Turbo (TM) stands
for “Enhanced Turbo Code”, a new Ultratec technology for TTYs
that simplifies calling through Sprint Relay Service. E-Turbo
eliminates most of the interaction between the caller and the
Communications Assistant (CA) by automatically passing on the
details of the call to the relay service.
With E-Turbo, TTY users can simply dial the number of the person
they are calling. The E-Turbo TTY automatically connects the
call to Sprint’s Relay Service and passes on the right phone
number. The TTY also notifies the relay CA of details such as
which long distance carrier to use or whether the caller is a
VCO user. All of this happens automatically, so the TTY user
does not have to "set-up" the call with the relay CA.
Q2. How does E-Turbo work?
A2. TTYs that include
E-Turbo allow people to program in their relay preferences, such as
whether they are VCO users, whether they’d like a male or female CA,
and what long distance carrier they’d prefer to use. Each time a
relay call is placed, these details are automatically passed on from
the E-Turbo TTY to Sprint’s relay Service, thereby eliminating the
need to "set up" the call with the CA.
For example: in current relay calls, the TTY user first dials the
relay telephone number, then gives the CA details about the call,
such as what number to dial, which long distance carrier to use,
whether to explain relay to the other party, or whether to use VCO
or not. By contrast, relay users whose TTYs include E-Turbo merely
push a "relay" button, then dial the number of the person they are
calling directly. Their E-Turbo equipped TTY handles the details of
connecting to the relay Service and automatically passes on the
caller’s preferences (such as long distance carrier of choice, VCO
preference, etc.). Because this exchange is done automatically
"behind the scenes", the TTY caller does not have to interact with
the CA. This brings the relay experience much closer to "functional
equivalence" with traditional voice calls.
Relay Calls WITHOUT E-Turbo:
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Relay Calls WITH E-Turbo:
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• You first dial the relay telephone number.
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• You press the “relay” key on your TTY, then dial the
number you want to call.
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•You give the CA who answer the number to dial.
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• The TTY automatically connects to the relay service, and
passes on your caller preferences to the CA.
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• You give the CA details of the call setup, such as which
long distance carrier to use or whether to use VCO or not.
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• Your call is connected.
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• The CA sets up your call preferences, then dials the
number for you.
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• Your call is connected.
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Q3. What are the benefits of E-Turbo?
A3.
• Allows TTY users to
dial the phone number of the person they are calling directly,
instead of first dialing the relay Service.
• Eliminates the need for interaction between the CA and the TTY
caller at the start of the call.
• Automatically sets up relay calls to the TTY user’s individual
wishes.
• Makes relay calls faster / more efficient by automatically handling
the details.
• Brings relay calls closer to “functional equivalence” with
traditional voice calls.
Q4. What is Dial-Through?
A4. Dial-Through is a feature of E-Turbo.
Dial-Through lets the TTY user directly dial the
phone number of the person they are calling, instead of first
calling relay and giving the CA a number to call. Dial-Through is
possible on E-Turbo TTYs, as users can pre-program in the phone
number for their relay service. Then, when placing a call through
relay, the user merely presses a “relay” button on the E-Turbo TTY,
and directly dials the number of the person they are calling. The
E-Turbo TTY automatically connects the call to the relay service,
and passes on the phone number to be dialed.
Q5. Which Ultratec TTYs include the new E-Turbo capabilities?
A5. All new Superprint
Pro80 models (manufactured after May 2002), including:
• Superprint Pro80
• Superprint Pro80 with ASCII
• Superprint Pro80 Gold
• Superprint Pro80 Gold with ASCII
• Superprint Pro80 LVD • Superprint Pro80 LVD with ASCII
• Ultratec TTYs that were manufactured before April 2002 do not
include the E-Turbo functionality.
• E-Turbo will be added to other Ultratec TTY models in the future.
Please visit this website again for an updated list of E-Turbo
capable TTYs as they become available.
Q6. I don’t have an Ultratec TTY. Can I get E-Turbo capabilities?
A6. No, E-Turbo technology is available only in TTYs
manufactured by Ultratec.
Q7. How do I know if my current Ultratec TTY already includes
E-Turbo?
A7.
• Make sure you have a new Ultratec Superprint Pro80
series TTY or Superprint Pro80 series TTY ASCII
• Look for the “E-Turbo” sticker on the box
• Press the [Options] key, then scroll through the options menu.
• “Turn E-Turbo on” will be listed as an option if your TTY includes E-Turbo
capabilities.
• If it is not listed, your TTY does not include E-Turbo.
Q8. My Ultratec TTY does not
include E-Turbo. How can I get E-Turbo capabilities?
A8. While upgrades to existing TTYs are not yet available,
users may be able to add E-Turbo to their current equipment in the
near future. Ultratec plans to make upgrades available in specific
TTY models for a nominal fee. The details have not yet been
released, we will have more information soon.
Q9. What relay services
work with E-Turbo?
A9. At this time, Sprint is the exclusive relay service to
support E-Turbo capabilities. Should other relay services choose to
offer E-Turbo capabilities, Ultratec will post a list of E-Turbo
capable relay services on its website.
Q10. In what states is E-Turbo relay
available?
A10. Yes, E-Turbo is available through the Sprint National
relay Service at the numbers below:
• (800) 877-8973 (Voice/TTY/ASCII)
• (877) 826-2255 (VCO)
• (877) 787-2660 (Speech to Speech)
• (800) 435-8590 (Spanish)
Q11. My state relay is not Sprint.
Can I use E-Turbo on my relay calls?
A11. No, E-Turbo technology is available exclusively
through Sprint relay at this time. TTY users of other relay services
or in other states will not yet be able to enjoy E-Turbo benefits
unless they use the national Sprint Relay. Please refer to the
Ultratec website, for an updated list of relay
services supporting E-Turbo.
Q12. If my TTY does not include
E-Turbo, will I still be compatible with Sprint Relay?
A12. Absolutely. Your relay calls will remain exactly the
same as they have always been.
Q13. What relay calling details can
I set up automatically on my E-Turbo TTY?
A13.
• Automatic Voice Carry Over (VCO)
• Automatic 2-line VCO
• Preference for male or female CA
• Indicate if you are a Braille user
• Braille users control the speed of display transmitted by the CA
• Do not explain relay to the hearing party
• Do not type recordings
• Do not announce relay
• Automatic Hearing Carry Over (HCO)
• Long Distance Carrier of Choice
• Language Preference — Spanish or French
• Request do not “dial through” in order to provide instructions to
the CA
Q14. Is E-Turbo the same as Turbo
Code?
A14. No. E-Turbo is an enhanced version of Turbo Code, but
they are not the same. E-Turbo TTYs offer all of the same benefits
of Turbo Code, plus the additional benefits listed below.
Major Benefits of Turbo Code
(Included in all Ultratec TTYs since 1993)
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Additional Benefits of
E-Turbo
(E-Turbo TTYs include all the benefits of Turbo Code listed
plus the following)
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Allows “real-time” TTY transmission at the same speed
information is typed.
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Allows relay users to dial the other party directly instead
of first dialing relay.
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Lets TTY users interrupt one another.
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Automatically connects the relay Service to the call.
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Allows for a natural back-and-forth flow to TTY and relay
conversations.
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Automatically handles call set up by passing the caller’s
preferences to relay.
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Ability to control
the data transmission speed to suit your reading needs. |
Q15. My TTY includes E-Turbo, but I
am not able to Dial Through my relay calls? Why not?
A15.
• Check the Options Menu in your Superprint Pro80 to make sure that
E-Turbo is turned on.
• Make sure that you are calling through a Sprint relay service.
Q16. How do I report if I have
technical problems using E-Turbo with relay?
A16.
• If you have problems with the TTY, contact Ultratec at (800)
482-2424 (V/TTY).
• If you have problems with relay, contact Sprint Customer Service at
(800) 676-3777 or your Sprint Account Manager directly.
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