Software behemoth Microsoft is in talks to buy Tellme Networks, the privately owned voice recognition technology company, two sources familiar with the situation, quoted by a Reuters report said.
The Reuters report quoted the sources as saying that a deal could value Tellme at more than $800 million. Another source said the two sides were close to a deal, which could be announced later this week, the report added.
The Reuters report said Microsoft and Tellme declined comment.
The talks were first reported by technology news Web site CNET News.
Tellme is a dot-com survivor that has built up a major presence in the US directory assistance market, the report said.
Tellme relies on speech recognition technology from a variety of suppliers including Nuance Communications.
However, Microsoft has recently been promoting its own speech recognition technology, which it sells for both computer users and customer call centers, the report further said.