As well as the TTY imitation software, you will need a computer with a modem (a small piece of hardware inside the computer that connects it to the phone network). Unless your computer is very old, it will almost certainly have a built-in modem.
TTY imitation software lets you make Type and Read calls only. You don't need to have any internet connection, and once you have set up the software you can make calls. Like TTY calls, calls will cost about the same as a local call.
The National Relay Service recommends the use of HyperTerminal as your TTY imitation software. This is free software that comes as part of the standard Windows package.
If you use a Mac or want to use a software program other than Hyperterminal, there are other TTY imitation options available which will work with the National Relay Service. However, you will need to be responsible for understanding how the software works and establishing the correct settings. Please read the manuals that come with the software.
Using HyperTerminal on a PC
HyperTerminal is a TTY imitation program which lets your modem ‘talk' through the phone system to another modem (in this case one at the NRS). If your computer runs on Windows 95, 98, Me, 2000 or XP, you will find that the program should already be installed on your computer.
