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.