Created by people with Internet, telephony and speech sciences backgrounds, Tellme is bringing to the telephone network many of the same ideas and breakthroughs that made the Internet great: personalization, XML, and TCP/IP to name a few. Our goal is to use the Internet to fundamentally improve how people and businesses use the telephone.

Tellme unites the Internet and telephone network underneath an elegant speech user interface to provide the world’s largest Voice Application Network. Applications hosted on this network use existing Web sites to power popular phone numbers like 1-800-Go-FedEx, 1-800-555-1212, and AT&T Wireless’ #121 voice portal service. Every day, over two million callers use applications like these to obtain customer service, connect to a directory assistance listing, or check the latest sports scores.

Our ultimate vision is to create DialTone 2.0, a personalized web of consumer and business services accessible from any telephone. Instead of typing in ten digits, you’ll pick up the phone and speak your request: “Call Mom at home,” “Is my flight on time?”, “Where is my FedEx package?”, or “I’d like to buy two tickets to the Matrix.”

next: Enterprise 800 Numbers

Today our network handles hundreds of millions of calls for blue chip enterprises like Merrill Lynch, Delta Airlines and United Health Group, delivering an improved self-service experience and often saving them tens of millions of dollars annually.

Beyond reducing cost, our goal is to help companies re-think what is possible on the phone. Building applications using Web technologies, companies can deliver more personalization, offer new services to certain callers, or simply enhance their branding across the phone experience.

next: Directory Assistance

There are billions of calls every year to 411. Tellme pioneered VoiceXML based directory assistance with the launch of 1-800-555-1212 in July of 2001. Now we’re working to answer 411 with automated business and residential listings nationwide.

When you think about it, directory assistance is ‘search’ for the phone. And while it’s great to automate listings, the Internet allows us to add services like driving directions to the nearest theater, top ten restaurants nearby, or the traffic report for the freeway you’re on – transforming 411 from a simple directory look up to true ‘information’ services.

Today people pay $.95 to hear a ten-digit listing – and they do it billions of times per year. We believe 411 is ready for more.

next: Communication Applications

Having operated consumer voice services since the launch of 1-800-555-TELL and AT&T Wireless’ #121, we’re now working with carriers to pioneer new network capabilities and applications that can fundamentally improve how people use the phone.

In partnership with carriers like AT&T Wireless and Verizon we’ve been developing whole new ways for people to reach other people and information, from voice dialing to driving directions. These services help families and friends communicate in new ways. With capabilities like phone chat, email, and address books, people will begin to use their phone as a hub for on-the-go connections.

start over: At A Glance