Definition and Overview

Definition
In its most generic sense a voice portal can be defined as "speech-enabled access to Web-based information." In other words, a voice portal provides telephone users with a natural-language interface to access and retrieve Web content. An Internet browser can provide Web access from a computer but not from a telephone. A voice portal is a way to do that.
 

Overview
The voice portal market is exploding with enormous opportunities for service providers to grow business and revenues. Voice-based Internet access uses rapidly advancing speech-recognition technology to give users anytime, anywhere access to Web-based information. And it uses that most universal form of communication and access—the human voice—over an office, wireless, or home phone. This tutorial will describe the business and technology factors that are making voice portals the next big opportunity on the Web, as well as the various approaches service providers and developers of voice portal solutions can follow to maximize this exciting new market opportunity.