TOKYO, JAPAN - NTT Communications (NTT Com) announced today the commercial release of the world's first system to generate TV news subtitles on a fully automated basis beginning January 22.

Broadcasters simply need to load the announcer's prepared script into the system in advance. Once the script is read live on air, the system recognizes the announcer's speech and synchronizes the subtitles to the spoken words.

No on-site personnel are required for operation, and the system begins working just 10 seconds after the script is loaded. Conventional systems typically need more than one hour of lead time to register voice and words, a process that can require up to six operators.

In addition, the system functions smoothly with just 80% speech recognition, unlike conventional systems that require 95%.

The quality of the system has been proven in feasibility studies that NTT Com conducted with broadcasters such as Hokkaido Broadcasting Co., Ltd. and Kagoshima Television Broadcasting Co., Ltd. beginning in September 2007.

The subtitles are closed captions, meaning that viewers have the option of turning them on or off as desired. It is estimated that about 5% of all people in Japan require subtitles when watching TV. The Ministry of Information and Communications announced last year that most TV broadcasts between 7 a.m. and 12 p.m. will have to offer subtitles by fiscal 2017.

The system will cost three million yen (excluding tax).

Further automating the process of uploading scripts, NTT Com is also extending system functionality for use with news broadcasts lasting longer than five minutes, as well as adapting the system for use with other types of TV programs.

The company plans to link the system to its network and provide it as an online service. NTT Com also aims to offer systems for other applications, such as call centers, teleconferencing and recording the minutes of meetings. Additional business opportunities are envisioned through the linkage of subtitles and content such as images, voice or music.

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About NTT Communications
NTT Communications Corporation (NTT Com) provides information and communications technology (ICT) solutions worldwide with dedicated professionals stationed in 21 countries. Renowned as an IPv6 technology pioneer and managed service expert, NTT Com offers diverse high-quality IP, Web-based, and managed network solutions combining network management, security, ubiquitous, Web portals/engines, and global services. Its world-class Tier 1 Internet backbone and secure closed networks with over 98,000 MPLS ports, combined with the networks of partner companies around the world, connect more than 200 countries. The company earned non-consolidated revenues exceeding one trillion yen (about US$10 billion) in fiscal 2006 ended March 31, 2007. NTT Com started as a long-distance phone company in 1999 after the reorganization of the NTT Group, and is the wholly-owned subsidiary of NTT, one of the world's largest telecommunications companies. NTT is listed in Japan, London and New York stock exchanges. Please visit www.ntt.com.