Alltel Launches Voice2TXT Service

Voice recognition allows cell phone users to convert voice messages to text messages, saving users the hassling of listening to them or writing down information from them.

For some people, voicemail is a convenient and more personal way to leave a message for another person when they’re not around. To others, listening to these sometimes drawn-out messages is just another speed bump in their fast-paced lives.

Alltel is hoping to appeal to the latter crowd with its new Voice2TXT service, which uses voice recognition software to convert voicemails into ordinary SMS text messages. “Our customers will appreciate the fact that they no longer have to wait for the opportune time to listen to a voicemail," said Craig Kirkland, director of messaging and voice services for Alltel Wireless, in a statement. “With Voice2TXT, our customers have an easier way to manage their voicemails via text messages when they are in a meeting, on the go or anyplace where they cannot or do not wish to use traditional voicemail.”

Employing SpinVox’s voice-to-text technology makes Alltel the first of the five largest U.S. cell carriers to implement such a service. Pricing is broken down into plans, with each offering a different number of conversions per month. The $4.99 budget plan offers 20 conversions, while the biggest plan, at $19.99, offers 100 conversions with each addition conversion costing 10 cents.