FCC: Speech-to-Speech

June 12, 2008 FCC News Release - The Commission adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking comment on changes to the TRS regulations applicable to Speech-to-Speech relay services (STS), a form of telecommunications relay service (TRS) used by persons with speech disabilities. When an STS user places a call, a specially trained communications assistant (CA) who understands the speech patterns of persons with speech disabilities repeats the words spoken by such an individual to the other party to the call. The Commission seeks comment on ways to improve the provision of STS, including, for example, whether to modify the minimum time period a CA should be required to stay on a call, and ways to improve outreach associated with STS.

The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking also seeks comment on the tentative conclusion that Internet Protocol STS (IP STS) is a form of TRS eligible for compensation from the Interstate TRS Fund and related issues relevant to the provision, regulation, and compensation of IP STS. These issues include the appropriate compensation rate for IP STS, and whether it should be compensated at the same rate as STS.

Action by the Commission, June 11, 2008, by Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.

• CG Docket No. 03-123

• CG Docket No. 08-15