T-Mail

Bell Atlantic have introduced a new service called T-Mail that allows groups and organisations to communicate via their telephone. The trial began in Montgomery County, USA where every single person has been given their own T-Mail mailbox. Bell Atlantic have been working with a variety of selected organisations and groups through the summer putting in applications where the group could send a single message through their telephone to hundreds of group members with a single phone call. Each member has been given their own free mailbox to receive messages.
According to Bell Atlantic the response has been very good and has created an interest amongst other organisations, schools, and groups. Some of the initial successful applications have included day care centres, sports teams, as well as other formal and informal groups. It will not be used by telemarketing companies, but for organisations and groups that are relying upon "telephone trees," monthly newsletters, and word of mouth to communicate information. Although the system does not appear to have been specifically used for education and training, it could be an interesting alternative to electronic mail and an extension to the voice mail systems which are now starting to be used across Europe.