VOCALIS WINS MAJOR ORDER FROM ERICSSON IN RAPIDLY GROWING ASIA PACIFIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS MARKET

Vocalis Group plc, the speech recognition and call processing specialist, today announces a major order from Ericsson for the supply of SPEECHtel™ to Digital Telecommunications Philippines, Inc. (DIGITEL). Building upon the previously announced global collaboration between Vocalis and Ericsson, this order represents a major advance in the deployment of speech-driven telephony services for Intelligent Networks.

SPEECHtel, a core Vocalis product, provides a range of speech driven services that will allow DIGITEL to provide new automated and part-automated operator services to its customers. The total value of the contract with Vocalis is worth in excess of £1 million.

The system for DIGITEL, which is scheduled to be introduced into the Philippines telecommunications network early in 1998, will provide highly efficient operator services. SPEECHtel will provide semi-automated directory enquiries, fully automated reverse-charge calling and call intercept services, with the capacity to offer further value-added services in the future.

In the directory enquiries application, after a requested number is retrieved, customers will be able to have calls placed automatically simply by speaking to the system. Additionally, when using the collect call service (placing reverse-charge calls), customers will experience a more efficient and consistent level of service using the speech-driven system. The benefits to DIGITEL include the potential for the saving of operator time freeing them up to deal with more complex requests from callers.

"As the second major public telecommunications network operator (PTO) system that we will have installed in Asia Pacific, this order strengthens and further underpins our strategy of being a global solutions provider for PTOs" comments Jonathan Hart, Sales Director of Vocalis Group plc. "Together with other contracts in this region, this order firmly establishes Vocalis as a leading supplier of voice activated operator services in the rapidly growing Asia Pacific marketplace. Industry experts believe that this region will account for 41%, or 35 million lines, of the global market for local lines placed in service in the year 2000. Vocalis looks forward to the opportunities for introducing new speech driven Intelligent Network services in the future".

Per Jomer, Vice President and General Manager for Network Intelligence at Ericsson, adds "The order from DIGITEL is a break through for Ericsson Intelligent Networks in the Philippines. The addition of Vocalis SPEECHtel into our Network Intelligence™ concept creates a powerful package, which gives DIGITEL a competitive advantage through automation of call handling and improved customer service."

Mr Johnson R.L. Go., Senior Executive Vice President at DIGITEL comments "DIGITEL will be the first network operator in the Philippines to have advanced Call Centres using network wide, Intelligent Network capabilities. Our new Multi-services environment will serve as the launch pad for many more IN services in the future".