• Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) New Voluntary and Mandatory Reporting Requirements Approved by the Office of Management and Budget; Amended TRS Rules Effective February 24, 2004, (Public Notice), CC Docket 98-67, DA 04-347, 19 FCC Rcd 2394, released February 11, 2004

On January 27, 2004, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approved for three years the information collection requirements contained in the Second Report and Order, Order on Reconsideration. See OMB Control No. 3060-1047. The Second Report and Order, Order on Reconsideration also adopted or modified regulations that do not require OMB approval, and states that such regulations become effective 6 months from the date of publication of the Second Report and Order, Order on Reconsideration in the Federal Register. Accordingly, these new or modified rules will become effective on February 24, 2004.

  • In the Matter of Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities, (Order), CC Docket 98-67, DA 04-465, 19 FCC Rcd 2993, released February 24, 2004

This Order addresses two issues concerning the Commission's oversight of the provision of telecommunications relay services (TRS). First, in the 2nd Improved TRS Order & NPRM, The Commission required TRS providers to offer three-way calling functionality as a mandatory minimum standard for TRS. This requirement become effective February 24, 2004, but some providers assert that it is not presently possible for a TRS facility to provide this service, at least to the extent the facility is required to set up the three-way call. Second, as a result of the significant growth of monthly minutes of use of Video Relay Service (VRS) and IP Relay over initial projections, the Interstate TRS Fund is facing a shortfall in funds so that, without additional funding, it will likely not be able to compensate the providers in full for their provision of eligible TRS minutes during the present fund year.

  • Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) Voluntary Reporting Requirements Approved by the Office of Management and Budget, (Public Notice), CC Docket 98-67, DA 04-741, 19 FCC Rcd 4828, released March 19, 2004

On February 20, 2004, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approved for three years the information collection requirements contained in the Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech

  • National Exchange Carrier Association (NECA) Submits the Payment Formula and Fund Size Estimate for Interstate Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) Fund for July 2004 through June 2005, (Public Notice), CC Docket 98-67, DA 04-1258, 19 FCC Rcd 8144, released May 4, 2004

On May 3, 2004, pursuant to 47 C.F.R Section 64.605(c)(5)(iii)(H), the National Exchange Carrier Association (NECA), the present Interstate Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) Fund Administrator, submitted the annual payment formula and fund size estimated for the Interstate TRS Fund for the period July 1, 2004 through June 30, 2005. NECA proposes a carrier contribution factor of 0.00356, and a fund size requirement of $289.4 million. NECA proposes per complete minute compensation rates of: $1.349 for traditional TRS and for Internet Protocol (IP) Relay; $1.440 for Speech-to-Speech (STS); and $7.293 for Video Relay Service (VRS).

  • Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau Reminds States and Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) Providers that the Annual Summary of Consumer Complaints Concerning TRS is Due Thursday, July 1, 2004, (Public Notice), CC Docket 98-67, DA 04-1599, 19 FCC Rcd 9893, released June 2, 2004

The FCC's Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau reminds states and TRS providers that they must submit their annual consumer complaint log summaries for the 12-month period ending May 31, 2004, on or before July 1, 2004.

The FCC has taken the latest in a series of steps to ensure that consumers with hearing and speech disabilities have convenient and affordable access to telephone services through use of the telecommunications relay services (TRS). This action is a further step toward fulfilling the goals of Title IV of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).

  • Clarification of the use of Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), (Public Notice), DA 04-1716, 19 FCC Rcd 10,677, released June 16, 2004

The FCC has been working with the Department of Health and Human Services to clarify that the use of TRS to facilitate telephone calls between health care professionals and patients, when one of the parties to the call has a hearing or speech disability, does not violate the Privacy Rule of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.

  • FCC Reminds Public of Requirements Regarding Internet Relay Service and Issues Alert, (Public Notice), DA 04-1738, 19 FCC Rcd 10,740, released June 18, 2004

The FCC has recently received several inquires concerning the appropriate use of IP Relay Service, a form of TRS, and issues this Public Notice to provide guidance to consumers, TRS providers, and merchants that conducts business via telephone. In addition, this Public Notice is intended to alert the public regarding the fraudulent use of IP Relay Service, and to suggest steps they can take to avoid becoming victims.

  • The Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau Reminds Telecommunications Equipment Manufacturers and Telecommunications Service Providers of Obligation to Designate Agent for Complaints Received by the FCC, (Public Notice), DA 04-1978, 19 FCC Rcd 12149, released June 30, 2004

The purpose of this Public Notice is to remind telecommunications equipment manufacturers and telecommunications service providers subject to Section 255 of the Communications Act of 1934 of their obligation to designate an agent for service of informal and formal complaints received by the FCC

  • In the Matter of Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities, (Order), DA 04-1999, CC Docket 98-67, 19 FCC Rcd 12224, released June 30, 2004.

On May 3, 2004, the National Exchange Carrier Association, Inc. (NECA), the Interstate Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) Fund Administrator, filed its annual Interstate TRS Fund Payment Formula and Fund Size Estimate for the period of July 1, 2004, to June 30, 2005. NECA proposes TRS provider compensation rates of $1.349 per-minute for interstate traditional TRS and interstate and intrastate Internet Protocol (IP) Relay, $1.440 per-minute for interstate Speech-to-Speech Service (STS), and $7.293 per-minute for interstate and intrastate Video Relay Service (VRS). Based on these figures, NECA also proposes a total fund size requirement of $289,352,701, and a carrier contribution factor of 0.00356, for July 1, 2004, through June 30, 2005, fund year.

  • In the Matter of Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities, (Report and Order, Order on Reconsideration, and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking), CC Dockets 90-571 and 98-67 and CG Docket 03-123, FCC 04-137, 19 FCC Rcd 12475, released June 30, 2004

In this Report and Order, Order on Reconsideration, and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Order) the Commission addresses cost recovery and other matters relating to the provision of TRS pursuant to Title IV of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). This Order contains, first, a Report and Order addressing: (1) cost recovery issues arising from the TRS Cost Recovery MO&O and FNPRM; (2) cost recovery issues arising from the IP Relay Declaratory Ruling & FNPRM; (3) issues arising from the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking contained in the Second Improved TRS Order & NPRM; (4) petitions seeking extension of the waivers set forth in the VRS Waiver Order; (5) the 711 Petition; (6) the petition by a provider of VRS for "certification" as a TRS provider eligible to receive compensation from the Interstate TRS Fund; ( and (7) the petition for limited waiver concerning VRS and interpreting in state legal proceedings. This Order also includes and Order on Reconsideration addressing petitions for reconsideration of three TRS matters: (1) the petitions for reconsideration of the June 30, 2003 Bureau TRS Order with respect to the per-minute compensation rate for VRS; (2) the Second Improved TRS Order & NPRM; and (3) the Coin Sent-Paid Fifth Report & Order. Finally, this Order contains a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM) seeking comment on various TRS-related matters relating to two Internet-based forms of TRS, IP Relay and VRS. We also seek comment on issues concerning TRS Advisory Council and the abuse of communications assistants (CAs) handling TRS calls. We have concluded that it is in the interest of administrative efficiency to consolidate the various proceedings into this Order.

  • The Federal Communications Commission Reminds TRS Providers of Upcoming Deadlines concerning Captioned Telephone VCO Service, (Public Notice), CC Docket 98-67, DA 04-2061, 19 FCC Rcd 12821, released July 9, 2004

By this Public Notice, the FCC reminds TRS providers that offer captioned telephone VCO service that the one-year waiver of the requirement that they offer access via 711 to captioned telephone VCO service for inbound calls made to a captioned telephone user expires at midnight on July 31, 2004.

  • Petition for Declaratory Ruling Filed Regarding Provision of Video Relay Servcie (VRS) Mail, (Public Notice), CG Docket 03-123, DA 04-2062, 19 FCC Rcd 12823, released July 9, 2004

On March 31, 2004, Hands On Video Relay Service, Inc. filed a Petition for Declaratory Ruling, requesting that the Commission declare that the provision of Video VRS Mail to deaf and hard of hearing persons is eligible for compensation from the Interstate TRS Fund.

  • Telecommunications Relay Services and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, (Public Notice), CC Docket 90-571, DA 04-2333, 19 FCC Rcd 14104, released July 28, 2004

This Pubic Notice responds to an annual report required by the October 25, 2002 Fifth Coin Sent-Paid Report and Order, which adopted measures to ensure the availability of payphone services for TRS users that are functionally equivalent to traditional payphone services available for non-TRS users.

The Federal Communications Commission today joins with other government agencies and the American people to observe the 14th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), adopted July 26, 1990. According to the Department of Commerce, one in five Americans is disabled and one in ten is severely disabled. Some 50 million people have some type of long lasting condition or disability. The ADA has enormously improved the lives of people with disabilities. Of special importance to the FCC, Title IV of the ADA ensures convenient and affordable access to telecommunications to the 27 million Americans with hearing or speech disabilities.

On June 30, 2004, the FCC released a Report and Order, Order on Reconsideration, and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM), FCC 04-137, seeking comment on cost recovery and other matters relating to the provision of telecommunications relay services (TRS) pursuant to Title IV of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). Comments relating to the rulemaking are due 45 days after the FNPRM is published in Federal Register, and reply comments are due 75 days following publication in the Federal Register. Reply comments are filed after the comments are received and offer an opportunity to "reply" to the original comments. The FNPRM was published in the Federal Register on September 1, 2004 (69 FR 53382). Therefore, comments are due on October 18, 2004, and reply comments are due on November 15, 2004.

  • Communication Service for the Deaf, Inc., Hands On Video Relay Service, Inc., National Video Relay Service Coalition, and Hamilton Relay, Inc., File Petitions for Reconsideration of Telecommunications Relay Service Requirements from the Report and Order, and Order on Reconsideration, and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, FCC 04-137, (Public Notice), CC Dockets 90-571 and 98-67, CG Docket 03-123, DA 04-3266, 19 FCC Rcd 19929, released October 15, 2004

In this Public Notice, the Commission seeks oppositions and replies to an opposition on the petitions for reconsiderations filed on the behalf of CSD, Hands On Video Relay Service, Inc. the National Video Relay Service Coalition, and Hamilton Relay, Inc. (the Petitioners). In the petitions for reconsideration, the Petitioners requests the Commission reconsider several TRS rules adopted in the June 30, 2004 Report and Order, Order on Reconsideration, and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. Also in this Public Notice, the Commission extends the opposition and reply dates set for CSD's and Hands On's petitions for reconsideration to coincide with the dates set forth in this Public Notice for all four petitions challenging the June 30, 2004 Report and Order, Order on Reconsideration, and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. Oppositions are due on or before November 15, 2004 and Replies to an opposition are due on or before November 30, 2004.

  • Telco Group, Inc. Files Petition for Declaratory Ruling or Waiver to Exclude International Revenues from the Revenue Base Used to Calculate Payment to the Interstate TRS Fund, (Public Notice), CC Docket 98-67, DA 04-3352, 19 FCC Rcd 20965, released October 25, 2004.

On July 26, 2004, Telco Group, Inc. filed a petition for declaratory ruling or, in the alternative, a petition for waiver to exclude international revenues from the revenue base to calculate payments to the Interstate TRS Fund. Telco Group, Inc. requests that the Commission exclude international revenues from the TRS Fund payment calculations at least for those carriers whose international revenues comprise a significant proportion of total interstate and international revenues. Telco Group, Inc. also requests a stay of its payment obligation pending the Commission's decision.

  • Federal Communications Commission Seeks Comment on Expiration of Waiver of Three-Way Calling Requirement for Providers of Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS), (Public Notice), CC Docket 98-67 and CG Docket 03-123, DA 04-3709, 19 FCC Rcd 23226, released November 30, 2004.

On February 24, 2005, the one-year waiver of the requirement that TRS providers (including providers of captioned telephone service) offer three-way calling will expire. The Commission seeks comment on whether TRS providers will be able to offer this feature as of that date, or whether it is necessary to extend this waiver. The Commission also seek comment on whether, instead of a waiver, the requirement might be modified or clarified and, if so, how.

  • The Federal Communications Commission Extends Currently Approved Information Collection Requirements for Section 68.5, (Public Notice), DA 04-3787, released December 1, 2004.

On November 12, 2004, the Office of Management and Budget issued a Notice of Action approving the Federal Communications Commission's request for an extension for the information collection requirements contained in 47 CFR Section 68.5 (application for waiver of hearing aid compatibility requirements). See OMB Control No. 3060-0422. The new expiration date of the information collection requirements contained in 47 CFR Section 68.5 is November 30, 2007.

  • Request for Clarification Filed by Ultratec, Inc., Sprint Corporation and Hamilton Relay, Inc. and Petition for Declaratory Ruling Filed by The National Exchange Carrier Association, Inc. Concerning Two-Lime Captioned Telephone Voice Carry Over, A Form of Telecommunications Relay Service, (Public Notice), CC Docket 98-67 and CG Docket 03-123, DA 04-3921, 19 FCC Rcd 24138, released December 16, 2004.

This Public Notice seeks comment on the Request for Clarification filed by Ultratec, Inc., Sprint Corporation and Hamilton Relay, Inc. on December 7, 2004 and the Petition for Declaratory Ruling filed by the National Exchange Carrier Association, Inc. on December 10, 2004 ("the Petitioners"). The Petitioners request that the Commission approve its proposed methodology for the jurisdictional allocation of costs for the provision of inbound two-line captioned telephone voice carry over (VCO) service and clarification that a two-line VCO service called two-line captioned VCO service is a form of telecommunications relay service (TRS).

  • In the Matter of Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities, (Order), CC Docket 98-67 DA 04-4063, 19 FCC Rcd 24981, released December 30, 2004

The Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau modified the TRS compensation rates for the 2004-2005 fund year as set forth in the 2004 Bureau TRS Rate Order, retroactive to July 1, 2004.