Captel
CapTel, a brand of Ultratec, Inc., provides captioned telephones and a mobile app that display real-time speech-to-text captions during phone calls for individuals with hearing loss in the United States, with distribution funded by state equipment programs and federal captioning reimbursement.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2001
- HeadquartersMadison, United States
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Captel does
CapTel, a registered trademark and brand of Ultratec, Inc., is a Madison, Wisconsin-based provider of captioned telephone services for individuals with hearing loss in the United States. Founded in 2001, the company employs 251–500 people and operates from Ultratec's headquarters at 450 Science Drive in Madison. CapTel's core offering combines specialized telephone hardware (including the CapTel 2400i, 840i, 880i models and the legacy 840, 800, and 200 series) with a mobile application (Hamilton Mobile CapTel) that displays real-time captions of phone conversations. The underlying technology uses automatic speech recognition augmented by live communications assistants to transcribe the caller's voice into on-screen captions, with the architecture protected by a portfolio of more than 27 granted US patents (5,724,405 through 8,515,024) and additional patents pending.
CapTel's business model is anchored in the federally regulated IP Captioned Telephone Service (IP-CTS) framework overseen by the FCC. Internet-based CapTel phones are distributed at no cost to eligible individuals with hearing loss through state equipment programs and direct website orders, while the captioning service is reimbursed on a per-minute basis from a federally administered fund rather than billed to the end user. This regulatory architecture defines both the addressable market and the revenue mechanics: CapTel does not monetize users directly but is reimbursed for hardware placements and captioning minutes. Hardware is supported by a five-year replacement warranty, and the company maintains an active community presence through the HLAA Walk4Hearing program, a monthly newsletter, and a comprehensive knowledgebase.
Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer and partner-mediated. Distribution channels include state equipment programs in all 50 states, the CapTel.com website, mobile app stores (Apple App Store and Google Play), and audiologist referrals. Core partnerships include Hamilton CapTel (captioning service delivery), Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) providers, the Hearing Loss Association of America, and the network of state-level equipment distribution programs. The company also offers Braille CapTel for deaf-blind users and a 2-Line CapTel service mode, and supports Spanish-language users through dedicated phone lines and an Español website section. Operating exclusively within the United States (including Hawaii and Alaska), CapTel does not support international calling.
Captel firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Captel
- Legal name
- Ultratec, Inc.
- Website
- https://captel.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2001
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- CapTel, a brand of Ultratec, Inc., provides captioned telephones and a mobile app that display real-time speech-to-text captions during phone calls for individuals with hearing loss in the United States, with distribution funded by state equipment programs and federal captioning reimbursement.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Captel industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Assistive Hearing Telephony Devices
- NAICS
- Telephone Apparatus Manufacturing (33421), Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing (334290), All Other Telecommunications (517810)
- SIC
- Telephone & Telegraph Apparatus (3661), Communications Equipment, Nec (3669), Services-Telephone Interconnect Systems (7385)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Assistive Hearing & Communication Access (Captioning, Hearing Support, Transcription) (EDAFAKAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Subtitling & Captioning Services (Timed Text, SDH/CC) (MPAHAFAA), Voice Calling (VoIP) Apps (BPAMACAC)
Keywords
Where Captel is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Madison
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Captel business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- CapTel Phone Hardware Sales: CapTel sells captioned telephone hardware to individuals with hearing loss. For Internet-based phones, the phone is provided at no cost to eligible individuals through state programs and federally funded initiatives. The captioning service cost is paid from a federally administered fund, not passed to the user.
- Captioning Service (Federally Funded): The captioning service for IP captioned telephones is funded through a federally administered program. There is a cost per minute for captions generated, paid from this fund. Users with hearing loss do not pay for the captioning service.
- Product Warranty Services: Five-year replacement warranty on CapTel products. If a defect occurs within the warranty period, CapTel replaces the phone free of charge.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Internet-based CapTel Phone - No Cost |
| One time/ perpetual license | Monthly | 2-Line CapTel Service |
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Hamilton Mobile CapTel App - No Cost |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Captel product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CapTel manufactures and distributes captioned telephone hardware devices (models 2400i, 840i, 880i, 840, 800, 200, and Braille CapTel) and a mobile application (Hamilton Mobile CapTel) that display real-time captions during phone conversations for people with hearing loss. The captioning service uses automatic speech recognition and live communications assistants, with service costs funded through a federally administered Telecommunications Relay Service program, making the phones and captions available at no cost to qualified individuals.
Product overview
CapTel offers a portfolio of captioned telephones designed for individuals with hearing loss. The product line includes hardware devices (CapTel 2400i, 840i, 880i, 840, 800, and 200 models) and a mobile application (Mobile CapTel). These products display real-time captions of telephone conversations, combining voice transmission with visual text output. The 2-Line CapTel service enables enhanced features on two telephone lines. Products work with Captioning Service providers (including Hamilton CapTel) using speech recognition technology to generate captions. The company also offers Braille CapTel as an accessibility option.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Mobile CapTel: Mobile captioning app allowing users to see captions on smartphone conversations through Hamilton Mobile CapTel app.
- Braille CapTel
Products and services
- CapTel 2400i Touch-screen captioned telephone with large colorful display, dial-by-picture capability, and built-in answering machine, designed for people with hearing loss who prefer touch-screen technology.
- CapTel 840i Traditional-style captioned telephone with large easy-to-read display and built-in answering machine, designed for people with hearing loss who are comfortable with conventional telephone design.
- CapTel 880i Captioned telephone with extra large font sizes and display options, designed for people with low vision and hearing loss who have difficulty viewing standard-sized captions.
- Mobile CapTel (Hamilton Mobile CapTel App) Mobile application for iOS and Android devices that displays real-time captions during mobile phone conversations, available at no cost to people with hearing loss through Hamilton CapTel service.
- CapTel 840 Earlier model captioned telephone (non-Internet version) requiring two telephone lines, included in CapTel product support and warranty coverage.
- CapTel 800 Earlier model captioned telephone requiring analog telephone lines and working with Captioning Service via voice-recognition technology to transcribe whatever is said by the other party.
- CapTel 200 Legacy captioned telephone model designed to work with a standard analog telephone line and compatible with DSL using a DSL filter.
- Braille CapTel Specialized CapTel phone option designed for individuals who are deaf-blind, featuring braille display capabilities to make captions accessible through tactile output.
- CapTel Captioning Service Real-time captioning service powered by automatic speech recognition and live communications assistants that generates captions of phone conversations, funded through a federally administered Telecommunications Relay Service program and provided at no cost to qualified individuals with hearing loss.
Quantifiable outcome
- Captioning service is available 24/7, providing constant accessibility support
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Captel
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Captel technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability3 records
Feature5 records
Captel partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Hamilton CapTelcoreHamilton CapTel is the captioning service provider for CapTel Captioned Telephones. They provide the automated speech recognition and live communications assistant services that generate real-time captions during phone calls. Users direct CapTel to disclose personal information to Hamilton CapTel for service provision. Hamilton CapTel operates under its own privacy policy and terms of service.
- Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) ProviderscoreCapTel works with TRS Providers to register phones and process calls through the relay service infrastructure. When users register their CapTel phone, information is collected from or about the TRS Provider. The TRS Provider uses personal information according to its own privacy policy. Users direct CapTel to disclose personal information to their TRS Provider for service functionality.
- Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA)coreCapTel is an active partner in the HLAA Walk4Hearing program, helping raise awareness for people with hearing loss in communities nationwide. The partnership involves community events, education, and advocacy for hearing accessibility. CapTel staff participate in walking events and community activities to support the hearing loss community.
- State Equipment ProgramscoreCapTel partners with individual state programs to provide Internet-based phones at no cost to eligible individuals with hearing loss. Each state has its own program and eligibility requirements. Users can check their state program through the CapTel website to determine qualification for no-cost phones.
- Apple (App Store)minorCapTel's Hamilton Mobile CapTel app is distributed through the Apple App Store for iOS devices. Users can download the free app to access captioning on their iPhone or iPad.
- Google (Google Play Store)minorCapTel's Hamilton Mobile CapTel app is distributed through the Google Play Store for Android devices. Users can download the free app to access captioning on their Android phones or tablets.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Captel competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Sorenson Communications: Largest US provider of relay and captioned telephone services for the deaf and hard of hearing, including the Sorenson IP Relay and CaptionCall-adjacent offerings. Directly competes with CapTel for federally funded IP-CTS minutes and shares the same regulatory economics.
- CaptionCall: Provides captioned telephone service and hardware for people with hearing loss, operating in the same FCC-regulated IP-CTS framework as CapTel. Sister brand under the same Ultratec, Inc. parent, but functions as a directly competing captioned-phone product line in the market.
- ClearCaptions: Offers captioned telephones and a mobile app for hearing-loss users, funded under the same federal IP-CTS program. Competes head-to-head with CapTel in both hardware and mobile captioning channels.
- InnoCaption: Mobile-first captioned calling app for the deaf and hard of hearing, available on iOS and Android. Competes directly with Hamilton Mobile CapTel in the smartphone captioning segment under the federal IP-CTS regime.
- Convo Communications: Provides Video Relay Service (VRS) and related relay offerings for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. Operates in the broader federally funded accessibility communications space and overlaps with CapTel on user base and referral channels.
- Purple Communications: Offers VRS and relay-style communication services for deaf and hard-of-hearing consumers. Competes with CapTel for the same federally funded accessibility communications demand, particularly on video-based use cases.
- ZP Better Together: Provides relay and captioned communication services for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community, including captioned phone offerings. Operates in the same federally funded accessibility communications category and competes for overlapping end users.
Others
- Hamilton Relay: Operates the Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) infrastructure that CapTel phones route through and is closely affiliated as the captioning service provider for CapTel devices. Relevant as the underlying relay and captioning back-end rather than a competing consumer brand.
Broad incumbents
- Apple Accessibility (Live Captions): Apple's iOS includes system-wide Live Captions and call transcription features for hearing accessibility. Represents a broad-incumbent threat at the OS level, offering a free general-purpose alternative that competes with CapTel's core value proposition for mild-to-moderate hearing loss.
- Google Accessibility (Live Caption): Android's built-in Live Caption transcribes phone calls and media in real time across Pixel and other Android devices. Competes indirectly with CapTel by providing free, OS-level captioning that addresses the same hearing-loss communication use case.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Captel social profiles
Digital presenceCaptel financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Captel leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Captel funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Captel M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Captel
What does Captel do?
CapTel manufactures and distributes captioned telephone hardware devices (models 2400i, 840i, 880i, 840, 800, 200, and Braille CapTel) and a mobile application (Hamilton Mobile CapTel) that display real-time captions during phone conversations for people with hearing loss. The captioning service uses automatic speech recognition and live communications assistants, with service costs funded through a federally administered Telecommunications Relay Service program, making the phones and captions available at no cost to qualified individuals.
Is Captel a public or private company?
Captel is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Captel founded?
Captel was founded in 2001. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Captel based?
Captel is headquartered in Madison, United States, in the North America region.
How does Captel make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. CapTel Phone Hardware Sales are the primary driver. The others are captioning Service (Federally Funded) and product Warranty Services.
Who are Captel's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Sorenson Communications, CaptionCall, ClearCaptions, InnoCaption, Convo Communications, Purple Communications and ZP Better Together. Hamilton Relay is listed as an others. Broad incumbents are Apple Accessibility (Live Captions) and Google Accessibility (Live Caption).
Does Captel have an API?
No public API is recorded for Captel.
What industry is Captel in?
Captel's product category is Assistive Hearing Telephony Devices. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAFAKAC, Assistive Hearing & Communication Access (Captioning, Hearing Support, Transcription), with a secondary code of MPAHAFAA, Subtitling & Captioning Services (Timed Text, SDH/CC). Its NAICS code is 33421 and its SIC code is 3661.