FCC: TRS Report and Order

 FCC 10-314 - In this Declaratory Ruling, the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau (Bureau) addresses the compensability from the Interstate TRS Fund (Fund) of certain types of calls made through Video Relay Service (VRS), a form of Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS). First, we emphasize that VRS calls made by or to a VRS provider’s employee, or the employee of a provider’s subcontractor, are not eligible for compensation from the TRS Fund on a per-minute basis from the Fund, but rather as business expenses. Second, we emphasize that VRS calls placed for the purpose of generating compensable minutes are not, and never have been, compensable from the Fund. Finally, we emphasize that two categories of calls do not meet the definition of TRS or otherwise are not compensable from the Fund under plain statutory language: (1) VRS Voice Carry Over used to connect two hearing users and (2) VRS calls used to connect two users who are both outside the United States.
 

DA 09-2634 - 1. In this Order, the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau and the Wireline Competition Bureau extend the waivers of certain telecommunications relay services (TRS) mandatory minimum standards for Video Relay Service (VRS) and Internet Protocol (IP) Relay Service that will expire on January 1, 2010, pursuant to the 2008 TRS Waiver Order. Specifically, we extend the waivers for six months until July 1, 2010, conditioned upon the filing of a status report due April 16, 2010, of the following requirements: (1) one-line Voice Carry Over (VCO), VCO-to-TTY, and VCO-to-VCO; (2) one-line Hearing Carry Over (HCO), HCO-to-TTY, and HCO-to-HCO; (3) call release; (4) pay-per-call (900) calls; (5) types of calls; (6) equal access to interexchange carrier; and (7) Speech-to-Speech (STS).

2. In addition, we extend the waiver of certain mandatory minimum standards for default Internet-based TRS providers that are unable to meet such standards for newly-registered Internet-based TRS users using customer premises equipment (CPE) from a former default provider for which the new default provider does not have access to the technical information about the CPE to comply with the standards. As discussed below, the Commission issued a waiver of these requirements in its December 2008 Second Internet-based TRS Order. Similar to the other extensions addressed in this Order, we grant this extension until July 1, 2010, or until the Commission addresses pending petitions regarding CPE portability, whichever comes first.

CG Docket No. 03-123, WC Docket No. 05-196

 DA 09-2543 - In this Order, the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau and the Wireline Competition Bureau temporarily waive a requirement regarding treatment of toll free numbers as clarified in the August 11, 2009, Toll Free Clarification Public Notice. Additionally we grant a request filed by the TDI Coalition to restore working, assigned Video Relay Service (VRS) and Internet Protocol (IP) Relay toll free numbers to the Internet-based Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) numbering directory (iTRS Directory) that have been removed following the Toll Free Clarification Public Notice. These steps will ensure that all calls – including point-to-point calls to toll free numbers – can be routed while the Commission considers toll free number policies in the context of Internet-based TRS.

DA 09-2389 - In this Order, the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau and the Wireline Competition Bureau address the treatment of geographic numbers and certain aspects of the Commission’s emergency call handling requirements for two forms of Internet-based Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) – specifically, Video Relay Service (VRS) and Internet- Protocol (IP) Relay. First, we temporarily waive the prohibition against Internet-based TRS providers assigning geographically approximate numbers to users in cases where providers cannot gain access to ten-digit, North American Numbering Plan (NANP) numbers in the users’ rate centers. We also clarify that where emergency service authorities are unable to receive and utilize Internet-based TRS providers’ Communications Assistant identification numbers (CA IDs) via the automatic location information (ALI) database during a 911 call, Internet-based TRS providers will be deemed to be in compliance with the Commission’s emergency call handling requirements if they convey this information orally. In addition, we clarify certain aspects of the Commission’s requirement that an Internet-based TRS provider must implement a system to ensure that call backs from emergency personnel to the telephone number of an Internet-based TRS consumer following a 911 call receive priority queuing. Docket No. 03-123, CC Docket No. 98-67, WC Docket No. 05-196, Adopted: November 5, 2009 Released: November 5, 2009.

DA 09-2084 - Adopted Order concerning TRS and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech and Speech Disabilities; dismissed in part Purple Rulemaking Petition. (Dkt No. 03-0123 ). Action by: Chief, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau. Adopted: 09/18/2009 by ORDER. (DA No. 09-2084). CGB

DA 09-1461 - In this Order, the FCC finds good cause to extend for one year (until June 29, 2010), the current limited waiver of section 64.604(a)(4) of the Commission’s rules, to the extent that the rule requires TRS providers to “automatically and immediately” call an appropriate Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) when receiving an emergency, 711-dialed call placed over an interconnected Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service.  (Dkt No. 96-198 92-205 03-123 04-36 ). Action by: Acting Deputy Chief, Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau. Adopted: 06/26/2009 by ORDER. CGB

DA 09-1451 - In this Orde, the FCC adopted the NECA proposed per-minute compensation rates for traditional TRS, STS, CTS, IP CTS, and IP Relay for the 2009-2010 Fund year. Action by: Acting Chief, Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau. Adopted: 06/26/2009 by ORDER. (DA No. 09-1451). CGB 

DA 09-1323 - 6-15/09, In this Order, the FCC finds good cause to extend the June 30, 2009, date for the end to the permissive calling period during which Internet-based TRS providers may continue to complete the non-emergency calls of unregistered users. Pursuant to this Order, TRS providers may continue to complete such calls until November 12, 2009. After that date, however, providers will have to ensure that a user has registered with a default provider before completing the user’s non-emergency calls.
 

 DA 08-2808 - 12/24/08, In this Order,the FCC extends the waivers of certain TRS mandatory minimum standards for VRS andIP Relay Service that will expire on January 1, 2009 pursuant to the 2007 TRS Waiver Order. Specifically,it extends the waivers for one year until January 1, 2010, conditioned upon the filing of a status report due April 16, 2009, of the following requirements:

(1) one-line Voice Carry Over (VCO), VCO-to-TTY, and VCO-to-VCO;

(2) one-line Hearing Carry Over (HCO), HCO-to-TTY, and HCO-to-HCO;

(3) call release;

(4) pay-per-call (900) calls;

(5) types of calls;

(6) equal access to interexchange carrier;

(7) Speech-to-Speech (STS).

The FCC granted a limited extension of the waiver of the speed dialing requirement for IP Relay until May 1, 2009. 

FCC 08-275 - 12/19/08, In this Second Report and Order and Order on Reconsideration,the FCC address several issues relating toits June 24, 2008 Internet-based TRS Order, in whichit adopted a system to assign users of Internet-basedTRS,VRS and IP Relay, ten-digit numbers linked to the North American Numbering Plan.

The FCC determined that the numbering system will ensure that VRS and IP Relay userscan be called in the same manner that voice telephone users are called - using a standard ten-digit telephone number - and that emergency calls placed by Internet-based TRS users will be routed directly and automatically to appropriate emergency services authorities by the Internet-based TRS providers.

The FCC mandated that the new numbering and emergency call handling plan be implemented by December 31, 2008.

In an accompanying Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, theFCC sought comment on additional issues relating to the implementation of the ten-digit numbering plan and emergency call handling requirements for Internet-based TRS.

CG Docket No. 03-123, CC Docket No. 98-67, WC Docket No. 05-196

FCC 08-210 - 9/19/08, On March 19, 2008, the Commission released the Interim Emergency Call Handling Order addressing the emergency call handling obligations of Internet-based Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) providers. In that order, the Commission adopted interim requirements for Internetbased TRS providers to ensure access to emergency services for consumers of Internet-based relay services, pending adoption by the Commission of a longer term emergency call handling solution. Among the interim requirements adopted was section 64.605(c), which requires Internet-based TRS providers, among other things, to deliver to emergency response authorities, at the outset of the outbound leg of an emergency TRS call, the callback number of the TRS provider's Communications Assistant (CA), thereby enabling emergency response personnel to re-establish contact with the CA in the event the call is disconnected. Pursuant to the subsequent Internet-based TRS Numbering Order, as of December 31, 2008, this requirement will no longer apply and will be superseded by the new emergency call handling rules adopted in that order.
 

FCC 08-166 - 7/15/08, FCC clarifies timeline for Commercial Mobile Alert System (CMAS) implementation. In the Order, the FCC takes two actions relating to the CMAS First Report and Order. First, onits own motion it reconsiders and clarifies the timeline under which the CMAS First Report and Order required CMS providers to implement the CMAS technical requirements, standards and protocols. Second,it corrects the effective date of the rulesit adopted in the CMAS First Report and Order (FCC 08-99).

FCC 08-151 - 6/24/08, FCC Adopts Telephone Numbering System and E-911 Requirements for Providers of Internet-Based Telecommunications Relay Services. CG docket No. 03-123, WC Docket No. 05-196.
 

DA 08-1079 - 5/06/08 In paragraphs 95 and 96 of the 2007 TRS Cost Recovery Declaratory Ruling, the FCC restricted TRS providers from using consumer or call databases to contact TRS users. On February 7, 2008, the FCC's Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau granted a request to stay the effectiveness of these paragraphs for 90 days, pending further Commission review. In this Order, the FCC extends the stay of paragraphs 95 and 96, which is set to expire after May 7, 2008, until May 28, 2008, to afford the Commission sufficient time to complete its review of this matter
 

FCC 08-117 - 4/07/08 In this Order the FCC takes action on its own motionrelating to the First Report and Order on wireless hearing aid compatibility that it released on February28, 2008. In the Erratum, it corrects two errors in the First Report and Order. The FCC extends the stay of enforcement of the existing requirements that 50 percent of handset models per air interface meet the hearing aid compatibility threshold for radio frequency (RF) interference reduction until 30 days after publication of the First Report and Order in the Federal Register.  It also revises the procedures adopted in the First Report and Order by which the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau and the Office of Engineering and Technology may approve the use of future versions of the hearing aid compatibility technical standard that do not raise major compliance issues.WT Docket No. 07-250

FCC 08-99 - 4/09/08 FCC adopts rules for delivery of commercial mobile alerts to the public during emergencies. PS Docket No. 07-287
 

FCC 08-78 - Erratum - 4/08/2008

FCC 08-78- 3/19/08 FCC adopts emergency call handling requirements for IP TRS providers to ensure that persons using IP forms of TRS, i.e.,VRS, IP Relay, and IP CTS, can promptly access emergency services, pending adoption of a solution that will permit Internet-based TRS providers to immediately and automatically place the outbound leg of an emergency call to an appropriate public safety answering point (PSAP), designated statewide default answering point, or appropriate local emergency authority.
 

FCC 08-68 - 2/28/08 FCC modified hearing aid compatibility rules to improve access for Americans with hearing loss to wireless handsets. Dkt No. 07-250.
 

FCC 08-67 - 2/27/08 FCC addresses waiver requests filed by wireless service providers and a handset manufacturer seeking additional time to comply with a 2006 benchmark in the FCC's hearing aid compatibility rules. WT Docket No. 01-309

DA 08-45- 1/8/08 Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities. Granted Snap's and Verizon's requests for a temporary waiver of the speed dialing requirement for Video Relay Services (VRS). Docket No. 03-123
 

FCC 07-186 - 11/19/07 Commission Adopts TRS Cost Recovery Methodology Report & Order and Declaratory Ruling on October 26, 2007. (Docket No. CG 03-123)Erratum: DA 07-5089
 

FCC 07-110 - 6/15/07 Disability Access Requirements Extended to VOIP Services.

FCC 06-87 - 07/12/06 Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities. Order on Reconsideration addressing petitions for reconsideration filed in response to the 2004 TRS Report and Order regarding TRS/VRS compensation.
 

FCC 00-56, Released March 6, 2000, Amends FCC Rules and expands types of TRS.