Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services

Final rule; extension of waiver.

In this document, the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau (Bureau) extends for an additional year waivers of certain Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) mandatory minimum standards for Video Relay Service (VRS) and Internet Protocol Relay (IP Relay). The waived TRS mandatory minimum standards are: One-line voice carry over(VCO); VCO-to-teletypewriter (TTY); VCO-to-VCO; one-line hearing carry over (HCO); HCO-to-TTY; HCO-to-HCO; call release; pay-per-call (900)calls; types of calls; equal access to interexchange carriers; and speech-to-speech (STS). Also, in this document, the Bureau grants a limited extension of the waiver of the speed dialing requirement for IP Relay. The Bureau extends the waivers for one year (four months in the case of speed dialing for IP Relay) because the record demonstrates that it is technologically infeasible for VRS and IP Relay providers to offer these services at this time.

DATES: The waivers of certain TRS mandatory minimum standards for VRS and IP Relay will expire on January 1, 2010, except the limited extension of the wavier of the speed dialing requirement for IP Relay, which expired on May 1, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Parties may submit documentation related to the waivers, identified by [CG Docket No. 03-123 and/or DA 08-2808], by mail, to:
Dana Wilson, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, Disability Rights Office, 445 12th Street, SW., Room 3-C418, Washington, DC 20554.

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.

Notice of Certification of State Telecommunications Relay Service Programs

The applications for certification of TRS programs of the states, territories, and the District of Columbia listed below (hereinafter, ``states'') have been granted, pursuant to Title IV of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), 47 U.S.C. 225(f)(2), and 47 CFR 64.606(b). On the basis of the state applications, the Bureau has determined that: (1) The TRS program of the states meet or exceed all operational, technical, and functional minimum standards contained in 47 CFR 64.604; (2) The TRS programs of the listed states make available adequate procedures and remedies for enforcing the requirements of the state program; and (3) The TRS programs of the listed states in no way conflict with federal law. The Bureau also has determined that, where applicable, the intrastate funding mechanisms of the listed states are labeled in a manner that promotes national understanding of TRS and does not offend the public, consistent with 47 CFR 64.606(d). Because the Commission may adopt changes to the rules governing relay programs, including state relay programs, the certification is conditioned on a demonstration of compliance with any additional new rules that are adopted by the Commission. The Commission will provide guidance to the states on demonstrating compliance with such rule changes.

See Federal Register notice for the list of states and agencies certified.

Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services - E911 Requirements

Final Rule SUMMARY: In this document, the Commission adopts a system for assigning users of Internet-based Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS), specifically Video Relay Service (VRS) and Internet Protocol (IP) Relay, ten-digit telephone numbers linked to the North American Numbering Plan (NANP). This numbering system will further the TRS functional equivalency mandate by ensuring that Internet-based TRS users can be reached by voice telephone users in the same way that voice telephone users are called. The measures the Commission adopts also are intended to ensure that emergency calls placed by Internet-based TRS users will be routed directly and automatically to the appropriate emergency services authorities by Internet-based TRS providers.

Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services

ACTION: Final rule

SUMMARY: In this document, the Commission clarifies its restrictions on the use of consumer or call database information by telecommunications relay service (TRS) providers to contact consumers of interstate TRS. The Commission concludes that TRS providers may use information derived from a consumer or call database to contact TRS users for purposes related to the handling of relay calls, as well as to comply with a federal statute, Commission rule or order, a court order, or other lawful authority.

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.