Tech Talk - IP Relay

Instant messaging seems to be popping up everywhere - literally!  There are all sorts of programs and devices that allow friends and family to send typed messages back and forth to each other in real time to pick a movie, pick a restaurant, find out the latest gossip, or get some sympathy for a bad day at work.  While this social form of media seems to have found a solid foothold in popular culture, it hasn't made it's way into the business world.  You can't BBM your doctor's office to book an appointment, and you can't Instant Messenger the local pizzaria to order your favourite Friday night dinner. 

Many of you are familiar with the Relay Service for TTY's which allows TTY users to call regular telephone users and vice versa, and Voice Carry Over Service which allows hard of hearing consumers who can no longer hear on the phone to speak to a regular phone user.  These are great services but are somewhat restrictive in that they require you to call from a phone line.  However, mobile phone users or PC users with internet can now get IP Relay Service.

How IP Relay Service Works

A person who is deaf, hard of hearing or speech disabled uses a PC or wireless web enabled device (like your wireless Smartphone with a QWERTY keyboard) to type his or her conversation to the IP Relay agent, who then reads the typed conversation to the other party. The IP Relay agent then types the other party's spoken words back to the IP Relay user.


There are no additional costs to consumers for IP Relay beyond a computer or other Web-capable device and an Internet connection.

First you have to register with your Smartphone or computer with your provider.  You will be provided with an access number and your password.

Benefits of IP Relay

•Relay service is free! (all normal cellular and internet charges still apply)
•Availability – IP Relay is available to anyone who has access to the Internet via a computer, a Smartphone, Web-capable telephone or other device;

•Convenience – Consumers do not need to go to a separate TTY or log off the Internet to use a TTY telephone line. IP Relay lets consumers make relay calls even when there is no TTY handy. In addition, consumers often say that using a computer screen and keyboard is easier than using a TTY. IP Relay permits much faster typing and allows users to see much more of the conversation on their computer screens than they can see with a TTY LCD window. IP Relay also allows users to print out and save conversations;

•Mobility –Smartphone users can initiate an IP Relay call wherever you can ordinarily use your cellphone;

•Quality – Transmission quality may be faster via IP Relay than via a TTY.

•Voice IP relay is available (with some carriers) but you must have 3 way calling enabled on your Smartphone and some providers may also require you to have a valid land-line phone number as well as a cellphone.

At posting, Telus has both text and voice IP relay (as long as you also pay for a landline phone number).  Bell and Shaw currently have text only IP relay service.  Check with your specific phone carrier for available services.