Vocalis Group PLC - Contract Awarded by Ericsson

RNS No 0146p
VOCALIS GROUP PLC
17th September 1997


                      VOCALIS GROUP PLC

VOCALIS  WINS  MAJOR ORDER FROM ERICSSON IN RAPIDLY  GROWING
ASIA PACIFIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS MARKET


Vocalis   Group  plc,  the  speech  recognition   and   call
processing specialist,  today  announces a major order  from
Ericsson   for   the   supply  of   SPEECHtel   to   Digital
Telecommunications  Philippines, Inc. (DIGITEL).    Building
upon  the previously announced global collaboration  between
Vocalis  and Ericsson, this order represents a major advance
in  the  deployment of speech-driven telephony services  for
Intelligent Networks.

SPEECHtel,  a  core Vocalis product,  provides  a  range  of
speech  driven  services that will allow DIGITEL to  provide
new  automated and part-automated operator services  to  its
customers.  The total value of the contract with Vocalis  is
worth in excess of #1 million.

The  system for DIGITEL, which is scheduled to be introduced
into  the Philippines telecommunications  network  early  in
1998,  will  provide  highly  efficient  operator  services.
SPEECHtel  will provide  semi-automated directory enquiries,
fully  automated reverse-charge calling and  call  intercept
services,  with  the  capacity to offer further  value-added
services in the future.

In  the  directory enquiries application, after a  requested
number  is  retrieved, customers will be able to have  calls
placed  automatically  simply by  speaking  to  the  system.
Additionally, when using the collect call  service  (placing
reverse-charge  calls),  customers will  experience  a  more
efficient and consistent level of service using the  speech-
driven system. The benefits to DIGITEL include the potential
for the saving of operator time freeing them up to deal with
more complex requests from callers.

"As  the  second  major  public  telecommunications  network
operator  (PTO) system that we will have installed  in  Asia
Pacific,  this  order strengthens and further underpins  our
strategy  of  being  a global solutions provider  for  PTOs"
comments Jonathan Hart, Sales Director of Vocalis Group plc.
"Together  with other contracts in this region,  this  order
firmly  establishes Vocalis as a leading supplier  of  voice
activated  operator  services in the  rapidly  growing  Asia
Pacific  marketplace.  Industry experts  believe  that  this
region  will  account for 41%, or 35 million lines,  of  the
global market for local lines placed in service in the  year
2000.   Vocalis  looks  forward  to  the  opportunities  for
introducing  new speech driven Intelligent Network  services
in the future".

Per  Jomer,  Vice  President and General Manager  for  Network
Intelligence  at Ericsson, adds "The order from DIGITEL  is  a
break  through  for  Ericsson  Intelligent  Networks  in   the
Philippines.  The  addition  of  Vocalis  SPEECHtel  into  our
Network  IntelligenceV  concept creates  a  powerful  package,
which gives DIGITEL a competitive advantage through automation
of call handling and improved customer service."

Mr  Johnson  R.L.  Go.,  Senior Executive  Vice  President  at
DIGITEL  comments "DIGITEL will be the first network  operator
in the Philippines to have advanced Call Centres using network
wide,   Intelligent  Network  capabilities.   Our  new  Multi-
services  environment will serve as the launch  pad  for  many
more IN services in the future".

About Vocalis Group plc

Vocalis  is  a  leading  provider  of  solutions  that  help
businesses  and people stay in touch, naturally.   Based  on
it's   proprietary  voice  recognition  technology,  Vocalis
offers   a  range  of  packaged  voice  activated  telephony
products  for  the customer premise and PTO  markets  world-
wide.

Vocalis  products include Operetta, the world's first  voice
activated auto attendant, and SPEECHtel, a family of  voice-
activated  services,  such as voice dialling  and  directory
assistance for fixed and mobile telephone operators.  Formed
in  1993 and traded on the London Stock Exchange since  July
1996,  Vocalis  services its customers  from  its  Cambridge
headquarters  and offices in Boston, Massachusetts  and  Los
Gatos, California, USA.


For further information, please contact:


Jonathan Hart/Philippa Buttle           Jeremy Carey
Vocalis Group plc                       Tavistock       Communications
Tel: [phone]                       Limited
Fax:  [phone]                      Tel:  [phone]

Email: [e-mail]
           [e-mail]


To  hear  how  Vocalis helps businesses and people  stay  in
touch, naturally, call
01223  846177 and ask Operetta for Philippa Buttle or  Sarah
Neale.

About Ericsson

Ericsson is the leader in Intelligent Networks with  over  65
wireless and fixed operators in more than 30 countries across
all  continents.  Ericsson's Operator Assisted  Services  are
delivered  to  more  than 60 customers worldwide.  Ericsson's
90,000  employees  are  active in over 130  countries.  Their
combined  expertise  in  fixed and  mobile  networks,  mobile
phones  and  infocom systems makes Ericsson a  world  leading
supplier in telecommunications.
For  further information about Ericsson's IN services, please
visit their web site at: http://www.ericsson.se/BN/in.html

For more information about Ericsson:

Tom-Ake Hellberg, Director of Marketing Network Intelligence,
Ericsson Business Area Infocom Systems
Mobile: [phone];  Fax: [phone]

Richard Taylor, Press Relations
Ericsson Business Area Infocom Systems
Mobile: [phone];  Fax: [phone]


Network Intelligence is a trademark of Telefonaktiebolaget
LM Ericsson.


Digital Telecommunications Philippines, Inc

For more information, please contact:

Mike Cullen, Chief Consultant and Assistant to the President
Tel: +[phone] Extension 524



END