Learning Center

Wireless TTY Calling

Using Compact TTYs to Make Cellular Calls

This information is for people who have standard Compact mm jack for connection to cellular phones. For more information about the Compact/C that are designed specifically for cellular TTY calling, click here.

With the Compact TTY

Depending on the type of cellular phone you have, you can use your cellular phone with the Compact TTY. Just place the cellular phone over the acoustic cups of the Compact, just as you would with a standard telephone handset. The acoustic cups of the compact are adjustable, so you can move them for the best fit possible. "Flip-style" cellular phones seem to work best. If your cellular phone does not fit well on the compact acoustic cups, you may want to use the EZcom Pro, instead, for your cellular calling.

With the EZcom Pro

Because of its sleek design, direct connect capabilities, and long battery life, the EZcom Pro is an ideal TTY to use with a cellular phone (actually, any of Ultratec's direct-connect TTYs on battery power will work). However, you need some special equipment from your cellular phone provider to make it work.

Cellular phones work differently from standard telephones. They don't use a "dial tone," which is always used in the traditional telephone system. To use devices such as a laptop computer, fax machine or TTY with a cellular phone, you need an "intelligent RJ11 interface." The RJ11 interface acts like a dial tone so that other devices will work the same way on the cellular network as they do on the traditional telephone network.

The Right EquipmentIllustration of cellular phone with TTY setup

In order to use the EZcom Pro with cellular technology, you need the correct equipment:

Where Can I Get this Equipment?

You can find the equipment that you need at your cellular telephone provider. They have the equipment you need or they can order it for you. Prices will vary depending on the type of cellular telephone you select. Print out this page and bring it and the EZcom Pro to your cellular provider. This information will help your cellular provider find the correct equipment. See "For the Cellular Telephone Provider" below for more information. Also, this page contains directions so you can make practice calls to ensure that the equipment works properly before you buy it.

Setting up the EZcom Pro with a Cellular Telephone

Before you set up, make sure that the EZcom Pro, the RJ11 intelligent interface and the cellular telephone have batteries installed. Check each device's instruction manual for more information. The following procedure describes the basic set up with most brands of cellular equipment.

Illustration of RJ11 jack


 

 

Note: The equipment depends on your cellular telephone type. This setup may look slightly different from the setup you will use.

Making a Cellular TTY Call

Because cellular technology uses frequencies (like radio waves) to transmit information, make sure that you are in your cellular calling region and in a location that allows for good transmission and reception. Contact your cellular provider for more information.

To make a TTY call:

Note: The procedure that you use to make a call may vary depending on your cellular telephone.

Voice Carry Over (VCO)Illustration of VCO cellular phone/TTY connection

Due to limitations of cellular technology, the cellular telephone cannot be used for both voice and text at the same time. In order to use VCO, you need to connect a separate standard telephone to the second jack on the bottom of the EZcom Pro. Use this telephone when you want to speak to the other person. If you try to talk to the other person using the cellular telephone after you have begun a text conversation, the other person will not hear you speaking. Refer to the illustration of the cellular setup used for making VCO calls. This picture is for illustrative purposes only. Depending on your cellular telephone type, the setup you use may be slightly different. In addition, you may choose a more compact, portable telephone. For more information on VCO, click here.

Answering a Cellular TTY Call

Cellular telephones must be turned on before they are able to receive a call. For options on knowing when you are receiving a call, contact your cellular telephone provider. These options may vary depending on the cellular telephone that you own.

Note: The procedure that you use to answer a call may vary depending on your cellular telephone.

Troubleshooting Tips

The cellular telephone network is very different from the traditional telephone system. The availability, the costs and the quality of connections associated with cellular telephones vary from state to state. Even non-TTY callers occasionally have problems with cellular calling. If you are having trouble connecting or you are disconnected during your conversation, check the following items:

I'm having difficulty connecting my call.

My cellular telephone seems to be dialing the telephone number, but I'm not connecting.

After my conversation has begun, I am disconnected with the other person and receive garbled text.

For the Cellular Telephone Provider

RJ11 Compatible cellular interfaces

Note to providers: If you do not carry these parts or if the customer is using a cellular telephone brand that is not compatible with the equipment listed below, please recommend equivalent equipment that provides the same capability.

Motorola Cellular Connection

Part # 

Cellular Telephone Type

S1936

Motorola car-mounted and bag-style

S3027

Motorola portable-flip style (Model S3027 may work with other cellular telephone brands if the proper data cable is used).

S4229

Motorola portable- Elite flip style

Axcell® Intelligent Interface

Part # 

Cellular Telephone Type

1A02X001

Audiovox 3 watt series V

1A02X002

Motorola Micro TAC series

1A02X003

Motorola 3 watt (series 2, 3, and 4)

1A02X004

Ericsson/GE micro-portable CT700

1A02X005 

NEC P700/800 series

1A02X006

Motorola Elite series 

1A02X009

NEC 960 series

1A02X020

NEC 2100 series

Can't find it here?
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