“This page is a digitally archived AccessInfo Announcement”

On December 15, 2016, the FCC adopted rules to facilitate a transition from text telephony (TTY) technology to real-time text (RTT) technology. 

In the Report and Order, the FCC:

• Permits wireless service providers and handset manufacturers to support RTT in lieu of TTY technology;

• Ensures RTT users will be able to call 911 for emergency services and 711 for relay services;

• Defines RTT to be interoperable across networks and devices and backward compatible with TTYs;  and

• Establishes a phased rollout of RTT for wireless networks from December 31, 2017 to June 2021.

 

In the accompanying Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM), the FCC seeks comment on:

• A timeline to sunset its requirement for RTT to be backward compatible with TTY;

• Integration of RTT into telecommunications relay service operations, and

• Real-time text features that may be needed for people with cognitive disabilities and people who are deaf-blind.

 

We will announce the public comment due dates for the FNPRM when these become available.

 

News Release: https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-adopts-real-time-text-services-americans-disabilities  

 

Word:  https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-342624A1.docx

PDF:     https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-342624A1.pdf

Text:    https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-342624A1.txt

 

Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: https://www.fcc.gov/document/adoption-real-time-text-rtt-rules

 

Word: https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-16-169A1.doc

PDF:    https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-16-169A1.pdf

Text:    https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-16-169A1.txt  

 

For more information about RTT, please contact Michael Scott at 202-418-1264 or email Michael.Scott@fcc.gov, or Suzy Rosen Singleton at 202-510-9446 or email Suzanne.Singleton@fcc.gov

 

 

 

 

 

Updated:
Wednesday, December 28, 2016