“This page is a digitally archived AccessInfo Announcement”

Comments Due:  October 26, 2015
Reply Comments Due:  November 24, 2015

On September 25, 2015, the FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau announced deadlines for the public to submit comments and reply comments on proposed rules related to transitioning from legacy circuit-switched networks to Internet Protocol (IP) networks.

<>On August 7, 2015, the FCC released a Report and Order, Order on Reconsideration, and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM).  In this FNPRM, the FCC seeks comment on ways to ensure that consumers with disabilities can continue to use communication technologies over communications networks.  The FCC proposed that, when it considers whether to authorize a carrier to discontinue a legacy service in favor of a service based on a newer technology, the carrier should demonstrate that the substitute service (its replacement service or the alternative services available from other providers) allow at least the same accessibility, usability, and compatibility with assistive technologies as the service being discontinued. Specifically, the FCC asks about (1) the opportunity to implement IP-based real-time text to replace TTY text services, (2) the opportunity to implement high definition voice (HD voice) service over IP network, (3) the state of development of speech recognition technologies, and (4) timelines for implementation and notifying consumers when legacy services will be discontinued.

The followings are links to the August 7, 2015 Report and Order, Order on Reconsideration, and FNPRM and the September 25, 2015 Public Notice announcing the comment period due dates.

Report and Order, Order on Reconsideration, and FNPRM
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Public Notice
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For further information, contact Michele Levy Berlove, Wireline Competition Bureau, Competition Policy Division at 202-418-1477 or e-mail Michele.Berlove@fcc.gov

Updated:
Monday, October 17, 2016