Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services Improvements

SUMMARY: In this document, the Federal Communications Commission seeks comment on ways to improve the provision of Speech-to-Speech (STS), including, for example, whether to modify the minimum time period a Communications Assistant (CA) should be required to stay on a call, and ways to improve outreach associated with STS. The Commission also seeks comment on the tentative conclusion that Internet Protocol STS (IP STS) is a form of telecommunications relay service (TRS) eligible for compensation from the Interstate TRS Fund and related issues relevant to the provision, regulation, and compensation of IP STS. These issues include the appropriate compensation rate for IP STS, and whether it should be compensated at the same rate as STS. DATES: Comments are due on or before September 12, 2008. Reply comments are due on or before September 29, 2008.