Most NRS users who are deaf or who have hearing and speech impairments use a TTY, but increasing numbers are using internet relay. Many use both.
Have a look at the benefits of the different equipment options and see which would work best for you. You can also discuss the options with our Helpdesk staff.
Benefits of a TTY
- it's most like using an ordinary phone
- you don't need to own a computer or learn how to use one
- you can make Speak and Read, and Type and Listen calls as well as Type and Read calls (you are restricted to Type and Read calls with internet relay)
- you can receive calls with a TTY (you can't with internet relay)
- you will not have problems accessing 1300 or 1800 numbers or services that use centralised call routing (fast food outlets, taxi services etc) - this can sometimes be a problem with internet relay
- you can make 106 text emergency calls.
Benefits of internet relay
- you don't need a TTY
- you can make calls via instant messaging (MSN and AOL) or the NRS website
- you can make calls via an internet-connected mobile phone
- you have greater mobility and can make calls from laptops and internet cafes - away from a phone line (although you can't receive calls)
- you can use a computer screen (bigger than on a TTY) and keyboard (bigger and faster than on a TTY)
- if you have a broadband connection, calls will be faster than with a TTY
- standard calls are free apart from your normal internet connection costs.
