Telecommunications and Speech to Speech Relay Systems

Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities, Report and Order and Declaratory Ruling, CG Docket No. 03-123, FCC 07-186. The Federal Communications Commission is seeking comments on the proposed revision of the above report. Needs and Uses: On November 19, 2007, the Commission released the Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities, Report and Order and Declaratory Ruling (2007 TRS Cost Recovery Order), CG Docket No. 03-123, FCC 07-186, adopting (1) A new cost recovery methodology for interstate traditional Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) and interstate Speech-to-Speech (STS) based on the Muliti-state Average Rate Structure (MARS) plan proposed by Hamilton Relay, Inc., (2) a new cost recovery methodology for interstate captioned telephone service (CTS) and interstate and intrastate Internet-Protocol (IP) Captioned Telephone Service (IP CTS) based on the MARS plan, (3) a cost recovery methodology for IP Relay based on price caps, and (4) a cost recovery methodology for Video Relay Services (VRS) that adopts tiered rates based on call volume. The 2007 TRS Cost Recovery Order also clarifies the nature and extent that certain categories of costs are compensable from the Interstate TRS Fund (Fund), and addresses certain issues concerning the management and oversight of the Fund, including financial incentives offered to consumers to make relay calls and the role of the Interstate TRS Fund Advisory Council.