2023 TRS History Docket

• FCC Extends Reply Comment Due Date for Sixth Further Notice on Calling Services for Incarcerated People. (Order), WC Docket No. 12-375, DA 23-10 released January 5, 2023.

In this Order, the FCC extends the deadline to submit reply comment on reforms to expand the provision of Telecommunications Relay Services to incarcerated people with communication disabilities, discussed in the Sixth Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FCC 22-76), released September 30, 2022.

• FCC Seeks Comment on Petition for Limited Waiver of VRS Privacy Screen Rule. (Public Notice),CG Docket Nos. 03-123 and 10-51, DA 23-28, released January 12, 2023.

In this Public Notice, the FCC seeks comment on a Petition for Limited Waiver of the Video Relay Service (VRS) privacy screen rule filed by Sorenson Communications. The privacy screen rule prohibits a VRS communications assistant (CA) from enabling a visual privacy screen or similar feature during a VRS call and requires the CA to disconnect a VRS call if the caller or called party enables a privacy screen or similar feature for more than five minutes or is otherwise unresponsive or unengaged for more than five minutes. Sorenson seeks a limited waiver of the rule to allow VRS users to participate in video conferences with their cameras turned off when not presenting, for potentially more than five minutes.

• FCC Seeks Comment on Petition for Reconsideration of TRS User Registration Report and Order. (Public Notice), CG Docket Nos. 03-123, 10-51, and 13-24, DA 23-29, released January 12, 2023.

In this Public Notice, the FCC seeks comment on a Petition for Partial Reconsideration filed by Sorenson Communications. Sorenson seeks reconsideration of two aspects of the two-week “grace period” rule that allows Video Relay Service (VRS) and Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service (IP CTS) providers to provide service compensable from the Interstate TRS Fund for up to two weeks while a new user’s or porting-in user’s registration is pending verification in the TRS User Registration Database.

• Comments sought on Petitions for Reconsideration of Accessible Carceral Communications Order. (Public Notice), WC Docket No. 12-375, DA 23-81, released Jan. 27, 2023.

In this Public Notice, the FCC seeks comment on five petitions for reconsideration in the carceral communications proceeding. Two petitions sought reconsideration of portions of the Third Report and Order, Order on Reconsideration, and Fifth Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, released on May 24, 2021. Three petitions sought reconsideration of accessibility matters addressed in the Fourth Report and Order and Sixth Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, released on September 30, 2022.

• FCC Seeks Comment on ClearCaptions's Application for Full Certification to Provide Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service. (Public Notice), CG Docket No. 03-123, DA 23-86, released January 30, 2023.

In this Public Notice, the FCC seeks comment on the application filed by ClearCaptions LLC (ClearCaptions) for full certification to provide Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service (IP CTS) supported by the Interstate Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) Fund.

• FCC Announces Opposition and Reply Due Dates for Petition for Partial Reconsideration of TRS Registration Order. (Public Notice), CG Docket Nos. 03-123, 10-51, and 13-24, DA 23-91, released Feb. 1, 2023.

In this Public Notice, the FCC announces the opposition and reply due dates for a petition for partial reconsideration, filed by Sorenson Communications, LLC, of the Report and Order adopting a two-week grace period for new and porting users submitting personal information to the TRS User Registration Database. During the grace period, VRS and IP CTS providers may seek compensation for calls to and from users, pending verification of their eligibility and identity.

• Comment Dates Set for Proposed Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service Compensation Plan. (Public Notice), CG Docket Nos. 22-408, 03-123, and 13-24, DA 23-104, released Feb. 3, 2023.

In this Public Notice, the FCC announces the comment due dates on a proposed plan for Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) Fund support of Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service (IP CTS), discussed in the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FCC 22-97), released December 22, 2022.

• FCC Seeks Comment on Hamilton's Application for Full Certification to Provide Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service. (Public Notice), CG Docket No. 03-123, DA 23-214, released March 14, 2023.

In this Public Notice, the FCC seeks comment on the application filed by Hamilton Relay, Inc. (Hamilton) for full certification to provide Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service (IP CTS) supported by the Interstate Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) Fund.

• FCC Seeks Comment on Petition of GlobalVRS for Video Relay Service Exogenous Cost Reimbursement. (Public Notice), CG Docket Nos. 03-123 and 20-52, DA 23-289, released April 4, 2023.

In this Public Notice, FCC is seeking comment on the petition of ASL Services Holdings, LLC dba GlobalVRS (GlobalVRS) for exogenous cost reimbursement for the provision of Video Relay Service (VRS) to people who are deafblind.

• FCC Certifies ClearCaptions to Provide Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service. (Order) , CG Docket No. 03-123, DA 23-291, released April 4, 2023.

In this Order, FCC is granting ClearCaptions, LLC full certification as a provider of Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service (IP CTS). ClearCaptions had been operating pursuant to a conditional certification.

• Video Relay Service Providers' Cost and Demand Data to be Placed in the Record. (Public Notice), CG Docket No. 03-123 and 10-51, DA 23-354, released April 26, 2023.

In this Public Notice, the FCC announces that it intends to place in the record for the video relay service compensation proceeding, cost and demand data filed this year by each video relay service provider with the Telecommunications Relay Services Fund administrator. The data will be designated Highly Confidential Information subject to the terms the Third Protective Order.

• Comment Dates Set for Petition of GlobalVRS for Video Relay Service Exogenous Cost Reimbursement. (Public Notice), CG Docket Nos. 03-123 and 10-51, DA 23-353, released April 26, 2023.

In this Public Notice, FCC announces the comment due dates on the petition of ASL Services Holdings, LLC dba GlobalVRS (GlobalVRS) for exogenous cost reimbursement for the provision of Video Relay Service (VRS) to people who are deafblind.

• FCC Seeks Comment on Petition by Communication Service for the Deaf. (Public Notice), CG Docket Nos. 10-51 and 03-123, DA 23-370, released May 5, 2023.

In this Public Notice, the FCC seeks comment on a petition filed by Communication Service for the Deaf requesting a declaratory ruling that Direct Video Calling (DVC) between consumers who use American Sign Language (ASL) and ASL-fluent employees in business’ and government agencies’ customer support call centers is a form of telecommunications relay service (TRS) compensable from the Interstate TRS Fund.

• Video Relay Service Providers' Cost and Demand Data Placed in the Record. (Public Notice) , CG Docket No. 03-123 and 10-51, DA 23-384, released May 10, 2023.

In this Public Notice, the FCC announces that it has placed in the record for the video relay service compensation proceeding, cost and demand data filed this year by each video relay service provider with the Telecommunications Relay Services Fund administrator.

• FCC Seeks Comment on TRS Payment Formula and Funding Requirements. (Public Notice), CG Docket No. 03-123, DA 23-407, released May 12, 2023.

In this Public Notice, the FCC seeks comment on the Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) Fund administrator’s proposed provider compensation formulas, funding requirement, and carrier contribution factors for the period from July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024.

• FCC Seeks Comment on Integration of TRS with Video Conferencing Services. (Report and Order,Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, and Order), CG Docket Nos. 23-161, 10-213, and 03-123, FCC 23-50, released June 12, 2023.

In the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, the FCC proposes to amend the Part 14 rules to define more specifically some of the steps needed to make video conferencing services accessible to people with disabilities. The FCC also proposes to amend the TRS rules to facilitate the use of VRS in video conferences, and seeks comment on whether analogous changes are needed with respect to other forms of TRS. The FCC also proposes a rule amendment to clarify when multiple communications assistants may be assigned to TRS calls (whether video conferences or not) that involve users of different forms of TRS.

• TRS Complaint Log Summaries Due July 3, 2023.  (Public Notice), CG Docket Nos. 03-123, DA 23-544, released June 22, 2023.

The Federal Communications Commission’s Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau (Bureau) reminds states and providers of interstate telecommunications relay services (TRS) that they must submit their annual consumer complaint log summaries covering the 12-month period from June 1, 2022, through May 31, 2023, on or before Monday, July 3, 2023. The Bureau also remind certified state TRS programs, interstate TRS providers, and TRS providers that have state contracts that they must submit to the Commission the name of a contact person or office, or both, for the receipt of inquiries and complaints from consumers about the certified state TRS program’s intrastate service or, as appropriate, about the TRS provider’s service.

• FCC Extends Waivers of Video Relay Service Rules. (Order), CG Docket Nos. 03-123, 10-51, and 13-24, DA 23-575, released June 30, 2023.

In this Order, the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau extends the following waivers of certain Video Relay Service (VRS) rules relating to communications assistants (CAs): (1) the 50% cap on call minutes handled by VRS CAs working at home; (2) the requirement that CAs working at home have three years of experience as an American Sign Language interpreter; and, (3) the ban on contracting with non-VRS-certified entities for VRS interpreting services. Each of these waivers is extended through December 31, 2023, or the effective date of FCC action amending the waived rules, if earlier.

• FCC Adopts TRS Compensation and Contribution Formulas for the 2023-24 TRS Fund Year. (Order), DA 23-577, CG Docket Nos. 03-123 and 10-51, released June 30, 2023.

In this Order, the FCC establishes the compensation formulas to be paid for certain interstate and internet-based telecommunications relay services (TRS) from July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024. In addition, the FCC grants temporary waivers to extend the expiration date of the current compensation formulas for Video Relay Service (VRS) and Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Services (IP CTS). The Order also establishes the total size of the TRS Fund for the year and the percentage of intrastate, interstate, and international revenue that covered service providers must contribute to the TRS Fund.

• Reminder that Revised TRS Fund Contribution Rules Apply Beginning July 1, 2023. (Public Notice), CG Docket Nos. 03-123 and 10-51, DA 23-598, released July 11, 2023.

In this Public Notice, the FCC reminds telecommunications carriers and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service providers that, beginning July 1, 2023, contributors to the Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) Fund must pay a percentage of their intrastate, interstate, and international end-user revenues for support of all Internet-based forms of TRS—IP Captioned Telephone Service (IP CTS), IP Relay Service (IP Relay), and Video Relay Service (VRS).

• FCC Renews Certifications for State and Territory TRS Programs. (Public Notice), CG Docket No. 03-123, DA 23-637, released July 25, 2023.

In this Public Notice, the FCC renews the certification for 54 state and territory telecommunications relay services (TRS) programs for a five year period. The certifications are effective from July 26, 2023, through July 25, 2028.

• FCC Seeks Comment on T-Mobile Accessibility Petition for Limited Waiver (Public Notice), CG Docket No. 03-123, RM -11931, DA 23-662 released August 4, 2023.

In this Public Notice, the FCC seeks comment on a Petition for Limited Waiver filed by T-Mobile Accessibility. The Petition asks the FCC to waive the rule requiring TTY-based services to communicate with the ASCII format. T-Mobile Accessibility contends that the ASCII format is antiquated and has very few users, and that complying with the requirement prevents T-Mobile Accessibility and other TTY service providers from utilizing resources in a more efficient manner.

• FCC Announces Comment Dates for NPRM Regarding Integration of Video Conferencing Services with Relay Services. (Public Notice), CG Docket Nos. 03-123, 10-213, and 23-161, DA 23-665, released August 7, 2023.

In this Public Notice, the FCC announces that comments are due September 6, 2023, and reply comments on October 6, 2023, for the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking comment on whether to adopt specific performance objectives for interoperable video conferencing services and how to integrate telecommunications relay services with interoperable video conferencing services. The Public Notice also announces that providers of interoperable video conferencing services must comply with the accessibility rules for Advanced Communications Services no later than September 3, 2024.

• FCC Grants Temporary Waivers to GlobalVRS. (Order), CG Docket Nos. 03-123 and 10-51, DA 23-718 (released Aug. 17, 2023).

In this Order, the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau grants temporary, conditional waivers to permit, for a limited wind-down period, reimbursement from the TRS Fund for exogenous costs incurred and to be incurred by ASL Services Holdings, LLC dba GlobalVRS, in providing Video Relay Service (VRS), as it terminates participation in the VRS program.

• FCC Extends VRS Compensation Period. (Order), CG Docket No. 03-123 and 10-51, DA 23-801, released August 31, 2023.

In this Order, the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau waives the August 31, 2023 expiration of current compensation levels for video relay service (VRS), and extends these levels through September 30, 2023.