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 sought 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.
The comment period closed on March 24, 2017, but late-filed comments may be accepted.
Rules and Guides
- Rules
- CFR Rule: 47 CFR Part 67
- Consumer Guide
- Compliance Guide
Facts Sheets
- Fact Sheet about Real-Time Text for Public Safety Answering Points - English
- Fact Sheet about Real-Time Text for Public Safety Answering Points - Spanish
Events
Committee Recommendations
10-3-18 Disability Advisory Committee (DAC) Recommendation to the Commission on RTT Refreshable Braille Displays. Word || PDF
10-16-17 Disability Advisory Committee (DAC) Recommendation to the Commission on RTT Implementations with Refreshable Braille Displays. Word || PDF
2-23-16 Disability Advisory Committee (DAC) Further Recommendation to the Commission on Real Time Text. Word || PDF
10-8-15 Disability Advisory Committee (DAC) Recommendation to the Commission on Real Time Text. Word || PDF
3-11-13 Emergency Access Advisory Committee (EAAC) Report on TTY Transition. Word || PDF
Releases
1-13-22 FCC Dismisses Two Requests for Extension of TTY-RTT Transition Deadline (DA 22-34)
Cellcom Order: Word || PDF
Inland Order: Word || PDF
3-12-21 FCC Expands Text-to-911 Registry to Include Real-Time Text (DA 21-301)
Public Notice: Word || PDF
1-19-21 CGB Grants 14-Day Extension for RTT Waiver Petitioner CCA (DOC 369367)
Letter: Word || PDF
1-19-21 CGB Grants 14-Day Extension for RTT Waiver Petitioner Appalachian Wireless (DOC 369366)
Letter: Word || PDF
12-22-20 FCC Extends Waiver of TTY Support Requirements for US Cellular (DA 20-1520)
Order: Word || PDF
12-21-20 CGB Letter to Viaero Wireless
Letter: PDF
12-21-20 CGB Letter to East Kentucky Network
Letter: PDF
12-21-20 CGB Letter to Cellcom
Letter: PDF
12-21-20 CGB Letter to Inland Cellular
Letter: PDF
12-21-20 CGB Letter to Southern Linc
Letter: PDF
12-21-20 CGB Letter to Nex-Tech Wireless
Letter: PDF
12-21-20 CGB Letter to GCI Communication Corp.
Letter: PDF
7-1-20 CGB Seeks Comment on Three Petitions for Real-Time Text Waivers. (DA 20-702)
Public Notice: Word || PDF
5-17-19 General Motors Holding LLC Petition for Partial Waiver of Real-Time Text Minimum Functionality Requirements. (DA 19-437)
Order: Word || PDF
12-26-18 FCC Seeks Comment on General Motors Petition to Waive Some Real-Time Text Requirements. (DA 18-1301)
Public Notice: Word || PDF
8-31-18 FCC Announces PSAP RTT Education Day on October 2, 2018. (DA 18-905)
Public Notice: Word || PDF
7-20-18 Letter Clarifying Applicability of CCA TTY Waiver to UMW. (DA 18-755)
Letter: Word || PDF
7-20-18 Comcast TTY Support Waiver Order. (DA 18-753)
Order: Word || PDF
12-29-17 TracFone Waiver of TTY Support Requirements Extended. (DA 17-1247)
Order: Word || PDF
12-22-17 Notice of Approval for RTT Requirements subject to PRA. (DA 17-1238)
Public Notice: Word || PDF
11-03-17 FCC Grants T-Mobile’s Petition for Clarification of the RTT Order. (DA 17-1084)
RTT Clarification Order: Word || PDF
RTT Report and Order: Word || PDF
9-26-17 FCC Invites Comment on Improving 911 Access by Enterprise Communications Systems. (FCC 17-125)
Press Release: Word || PDF
Notice of Inquiry: Word || PDF
8-24-17 FCC Grants Temporary Waiver of Rules Requiring TTY Support over IP-based Wireless Services to TracFone. (DA 17-801)
Order: Word || PDF
2-7-17 FCC Announces Effective Date for Real-Time Text Rules and Comment Due Dates for the Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. (DA 17-137)
Public Notice: Word || PDF
1-13-17 Temporary Waiver Granted of the Commission's Requirements to Support TTY over Internet Protocol-based Wireless Services to 31 Small, Rural Iowan Wireless Telecommunication Carriers. (DA 17-65)
Order: Word || PDF
12-16-16 Transition from TTY to Real-Time Text Technology; Petition for Rulemaking to Update the Commission's Rules for Access to Support the Transition from TTY to Real-Time Text Technology and Petition for Waiver of the Rules Requiring Support for TTY Technology. (FCC 16-169)
News Release: Word || PDF
Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: Word || PDF
Wheeler Statement: Word || PDF
Clyburn Statement: Word || PDF
Rosenworcel Statement: Word || PDF
Pai Statement: Word || PDF
O'Rielly Statement: Word || PDF
Erratum: Word || PDF
5-25-16 Announcement of Comment and Reply Comments Deadlines for Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Real-Time Text. (CG Docket No. 16-145 and GN Docket No. 15-178) (DA 16-583)
Public Notice: Word || PDF
4-29-16 Transition from TTY to Real-Time Text Technology; Petition for Rulemaking to Update the Commission's Rules for Access to Support the Transition from TTY to Real-Time Text Technology, and Petition for Waiver of Rules Requiring Support of TTY Technology. Action by: the Commission. Adopted: 4/28/16 by Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.
(CG Docket No. 16-145 and GN Docket No. 15-178) (FCC 16-53)
News Release: Word || PDF
NPRM: Word || PDF
Chairman Wheeler Statement: Word || PDF
Commissioner Clyburn Statement: Word || PDF
Commissioner Rosenworcel Statement: Word || PDF
Commissioner Pai Statement: Word || PDF
Commissioner O'Rielly Statement: Word || PDF
4-20-16 FCC Grants Limited Waiver from TTY Technology Support Rules for participating members of the Competitive Carriers Association, to Permit Transition to Real-Time Text/Other Accessibility Technologies. (GN Docket No. 15-178) (DA 16-435)
Order: Word || PDF
12-18-15 FCC Grants Limited Waiver from TTY Technology Support Rules for Cellular South, to Permit Transition to Real-Time Text/Other Accessibility Technologies. (GN Docket No. 15-178) (DA 15-1458)
Order: Word || PDF
11-13-15 FCC Grants Limited Waiver from TTY Technology Support Rules for Verizon, to Permit Transition to Real-Time Text/Other Accessibility Technologies. (GN Docket No. 15-178) (DA 15-1141)
Order: Word || PDF
10-6-15 FCC Grants Limited Waiver from TTY Technology Support Rules for AT&T, to Permit Transition to Real-Time Text/Other Accessibility Technologies. (GN Docket No. 15-178) (DA 15-1311)
Order: Word || PDF
7-24-15 Request for Comment Petition for Rulemaking to Update the Commission's Rules for Access to Support the Transition from TTY to Real-Time Text Technology, and Petition for Waiver of Rules Requiring Support of TTY Technology.
(GN Docket No. 15-178) (DA 15-858)
Public Notice: Word || PDF