Vodacom announced today the launch of a new range of speaking smartphones that will enable visually impaired customers to access all the benefits of mobile communication.

The Nokia E52 and N86 handsets will be pre-loaded with text-to-speech software which converts text-based information into speech. This will enable users to listen to their text messages, contacts, battery strength and signal strength.

“Mobile communications are an essential part of modern life and we’re thrilled to be able to supply a new range of speaking phones to those visually impaired people that might otherwise be excluded,” said Shameel Joosub, managing director of Vodacom SA.

It is hoped that the phones will be able to really make a difference in the lives of visually impaired customers, giving them the ability to use a cellphone independently.

Interested users can contact Vodacom’s Specific Needs Contact Centre on 12580 for more information.