Wynd Communications and AAA Partner
7 April 1999
Wynd Communications and AAA Partner to Provide First Wireless Connection to Emergency Road Service for Motorists Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
ATLANTA--April 7, 1999--to AAA Network via WyndTell
Wynd Communications, the leader in delivering life-changing wireless communication services to people who are deaf or hard of hearing, and AAA today announced an exclusive strategic alliance to deliver a national wireless roadside assistance service to customers who are deaf or hard of hearing.
"With Wynd's alliance with AAA, help is literally at our customers' fingertips," said Judy Viera, Vice President of Business development, Wynd Communications. "The agreement provides one more feature that gives our customers freedom to go about their day with the peace of mind that they are connected to the world."
In the past, motorists who are deaf or hard of hearing needed access to a wireline TTY to summon help from the road. "Now, our customers can stay in the safety and comfort of their vehicle while quickly and easily contacting AAA for assistance," added Viera, who is deaf herself.
"While AAA has supported its members who are deaf or hard of hearing with TTY access for some time, the new WyndTell/AAA service represents the first time these members will be able to contact AAA directly using wireless communications," said Marshall Doneyp, vice president, AAA Automotive Services. "This program will allow us to greatly enhance our ability to provide these customers with a fast, safe and reliable means to summon roadside assistance from their car."
Currently in beta testing, the WyndTell/AAA Emergency Road Service will be available to AAA customers by June 1999.
About WyndTell Service
WyndTell represents a technological breakthrough for people who are deaf or hard of hearing, combining wireless communication via TTY, e-mail, fax machines, alphanumeric pagers and voice telephones. Nearly two years in development, WyndTell leverages Wynd's wireless industry experience and integrates extensive feedback from current and potential customers. As a result, WyndTell is the first service to provide complete, nationwide, wireless communication to people who are deaf or hard of hearing. WyndTell is also the first such service designed for people who are deaf or hard of hearing that provides a wireless connection to AAA Emergency Road Service.
The WyndTell Service operates on a device that fits comfortably in the palm of a person's hand, and includes an integrated screen, QWERTY keyboard and antenna. WyndTell frees people who are deaf or hard of hearing from searching for pay phones equipped with a TTY or relying on strangers to communicate, enabling them to enjoy the occupational and social benefits of mobile communication for the first time.
WyndTell service operates over the BellSouth Wireless Data Network, the most advanced wireless data network available today. The network provides coverage to over 93% of the metropolitan United States and is available to over 200 million people.
About AAA
AAA is a not-for-profit federation of 91 clubs with 1,100 offices providing more than 41 million members in the United States and Canada with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. AAA's automotive services network includes 4,400 AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities and 13,418 towing contractors representing 39,071 service vehicles.
About Wynd Communications
Founded in 1994, Wynd Communications is the first company to deliver complete, nationwide, wireless communication to people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Developed with the input of people who are deaf, late-deafened, or hard of hearing, WyndTell service enables users to communicate with anyone, virtually anywhere, at anytime, and enhances their personal freedom, productivity, peace of mind, and relationships with family, friends and co-workers. Wynd Communications is a wireless industry pioneer with authorized WyndTell dealers nationwide and WyndTell customers in 44 states. For more information about Wynd Communications and WyndTell, visit the Wynd web site at http://www.wynd.com, or contact Wynd directly at TTY 800/549-2800, voice 805/781-6000, or e-mail: info@wynd.com.
(c) 1999 Wynd Communications Corporation. All rights reserved. Wynd is a registered trademark and WyndTell is a trademark of Wynd Communications Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their registered owners.