2021 TRS History Docket

• Structure and Practices of the Video Relay Services Program; Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities.  (Order on Reconsideration), CG Docket Nos. 10-51 and 03-123, DA 21-56, released January 14, 2021.

In this Order on Reconsideration, the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau dismisses a petition for reconsideration filed by the TRS Advisory Council of the Commission’s Report and Order regarding Video Relay Services Compensation (FCC 17-26), because the petition relates to matters outside the scope of the order for which reconsideration is sought.

• Misuse of Internet Protocol (IP) Captioned Telephone Service; Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities.  (Order), CG Docket Nos. 13-24 and 03-123, DA 21-55, released January 14, 2021.

In this Order, the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau dismisses as moot the petition for reconsideration filed by Hamilton Relay, Inc., of the Commission’s Report and Order regarding the Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service (IP CTS) (FCC 19-11).

• FCC Seeks Comment on Proposed Quality Metrics for Captioned Telephone Service and Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service.  (Public Notice), CG Docket Nos. 13-24, 03-123, and 10-51, DA 21-135, released February 8, 2021.

In this Public Notice, the FCC seeks comment on the proposed quality metrics for the Captioned Telephone Service (CTS) and Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service (IP CTS) discussed in the Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FCC 20-32), released October 2, 2020.

• Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities; Structure and Practices of the Video Relay Services Program.  (Order), CG Docket Nos. 03-123 and 10-51, DA 21-195, released Feb. 22, 2021.

On February 22, 2021, the FCC released an Order, extending temporary waivers through August 31, 2021, for telecommunications relay services (TRS) providers to ensure relay services remain available during the COVID-19 pandemic. These waivers allow TRS providers flexibility to deal with reduced staffing and increased call volumes, to enable more of their employees to provide services from their homes, to expand the pool of contractors qualified to provide American Sign Language interpretation services for Video Relay Service (VRS), and to allow registered VRS users who are abroad to make calls to the U.S. during the national emergency.

• FCC Announces Comment Dates for IP CTS Rates Reconsideration Petitions.  (Public Notice), CG Docket Nos. 13-24, 10-51, and 03-123, DA 21-238, released February 26, 2021.

On February 26, 2021, the FCC released a Public Notice announcing the dates for filing comments on two petitions for reconsideration of the IP CTS Compensation Order (FCC 20-132), in which the Commission set compensation rates for Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service (IP CTS) for the next two years. The opposition due date is March 9, 2021, and the reply due date is March 19, 2021.

• Comment Dates on Proposal to Expand the TRS Fund Contribution Base for Support of VRS and IP Relay.  (Public Notice), CG Docket Nos. 03-123, 10-51, 12-38, DA 21-341, released March 23, 2021.

In this Public Notice, the FCC announces the comment dates on the proposal to expand the telecommunications relay service (TRS) Fund contribution base for support of video relay service (VRS) and Internet Protocol (IP) Relay discussed in the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FCC 20-161), released November 20, 2020.

• Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities.  (Public Notice), CG Docket No. 03-123, DA 21-340, released on March 23, 2021.

On March 23, 2021, the FCC released a Public Notice seeking comment on the General Services Administration’s (GSA) petition for waiver of certain user registration requirements for Internet Protocol Relay Service (IP Relay) and Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service (IP CTS). GSA requests a waiver of the registration requirements for federal government users to relieve the burden associated with the collection of personally identifiable information for federal government users. Instead, GSA proposes to use a registration procedure comparable to the Commission’s “enterprise registration” procedure for video relay service (VRS).

• ClearCaptions Certified to Provide IP CTS Using Automatic Speech Recognition.  (Memorandum Opinion and Order), CG Docket No. 03-123, DA 21-419, adopted April 13, 2021, released April 13, 2021.

In this Memorandum Opinion and Order, ClearCaptions, LLC, is conditionally certified to provide Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service (IP CTS) using automatic speech recognition (ASR) in addition to its communications assistant-based service.

• Request Comment on Proposed TRS Rates and T-Mobile IP Relay Petition.  (Public Notice), CG Docket Nos. 03-123, DA 21-556, released May 11, 2021.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released a Public Notice seeking comment on the Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) Fund administrator’s proposed provider compensation rates, funding requirement, and carrier contribution factors for interstate TRS for the period from July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2022. The FCC is also seeking comment on a related request filed by T-Mobile USA, Inc. regarding the 2021-22 Fund Year rate for Internet Protocol Relay Service.

• FCC Seeks Comment on Compensation Plan for Video Relay Service.  (Notice of Proposed Rulemaking), CG Docket Nos. 03-123 and 10-51, FCC 21-61, adopted May 20, 2021, released May 21, 2021.

The Commission seeks comment on the adoption of a TRS Fund compensation plan for video relay service and extends the current compensation plan pending such action.

• The Federal Communications Commission’s Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau (Bureau) reminds certified state TRS programs 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, 2020 through May 31, 2021, on or before Thursday, July 1, 2021. (Public Notice).

The Bureau also reminds certified state TRS programs, interstate TRS providers, and TRS providers that have state contracts that they must: (1) 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; and (2) they must notify the Commission of any substantive changes in their TRS programs within 60 days of when they occur, and must certify that they continue to meet federal mandatory minimum standards after implementing the substantive change.

• Communication Service for the Deaf, Inc. Granted Access to TRS Numbering Directory.  (Public Notice), CG Docket Nos. 03-123 and 10-51, DA 21-682, adopted June 11, 2021, released June 11, 2021.

On June 11, 2021, the FCC released a Public Notice granting Communication Service for the Deaf, Inc. (CSD) access to the Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) Numbering Directory as a Qualified Direct Video Entity. This action allows CSD to provide support to consumer call centers so that they can accept direct video calls from consumers with disabilities who use American Sign Language (ASL) without using a relay service.

• Comment Dates for the VRS Compensation Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.  (Public Notice), CG Docket Nos. 03-123 and 10-51, DA 21-713, released June 17, 2021.

On June 17, 2021, the FCC released a Public Notice announcing the comment dates on the proposal to adopt a TRS Fund compensation plan for video relay service (VRS) discussed in the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FCC 21-61), released May 21, 2021.

• Comment Sought on Convo Petition for Rulemaking on VRS.  (Public Notice) , CG Docket Nos. 03-123 and 10-51, DA 21-714, released June 17, 2021.

On June 17, 2021, the FCC released a Public Notice seeking comment on a Petition for Rulemaking and Interim Waiver on VRS rules filed by Convo Communications , LLC.

• VRS Cost and Demand Data to be Placed in Record.  (Public Notice), CG Docket Nos. 03-123 and 10-51, DA 21-720, released June 21, 2021.

On June 21, 2021, the FCC released a Public Notice announcing its intent to place VRS cost and demand data in the record to assist in consideration of the compensation options proposed in the VRS Compensation NPRM (FCC 21-61), released May 21, 2021.

• FCC Seeks Comment on Proposal to Freeze Compensation Level of the Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service (IP CTS).  (Public Notice), CG Docket Nos. 13-24 and 03-123, DA 21-753, released June 25, 2021.

In this Public Notice, the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau seeks comment on a proposal by six providers of IP CTS to freeze the per-minute compensation level at $1.42 as established for TRS Fund Year 2020-2021 and not implement the reduction to $1.30 as established for TRS Fund Year 2021-2022 starting July 1, 2021.

• Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Service for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities; Structure and Practices of the Video Relay Service Program.  (Order), CG Docket Nos. 03-123 and 10-51, DA 21-779, released June 30, 2021.

In this Order, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau establishes the per-minute compensation levels to be paid for certain interstate and internet-based telecommunications relay services (TRS) from July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2022. 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.

• Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau Extends Deadlines for Comment on VRS Compensation NPRM.  (Public Notice), CG Docket Nos. 03-123 and 10-51, DA 21-828, released July 13, 2021.

In this Public Notice, the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, extends the deadlines for filing comments on the VRS Compensation NPRM (FCC 21-61), released May 21, 2021.

• FCC Seeks Comment on Request for Freeze of Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service (IP CTS) Compensation Level.  (Public Notice), CG Docket Nos. 03-123 and 13-24, DA 21-850, released July 16, 2021.

In this Public Notice, the FCC seeks comment on a request by six providers of Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service (IP CTS) to defer the reduction in the per minute level of Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) Fund support for IP CTS previously ordered by the Commission. TRS Fund compensation for the provision of IP CTS was reduced from $1.42 per minute to $1.30 per minute, effective July 1, 2021.

• FCC Seeks Comment on Hamilton Relay’s Amended Application to Provide Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service (IP CTS).  (Public Notice), CG Docket No. 03-123, DA 21-852, released July 16, 2021.

In this Public Notice, the FCC seeks comment on an amendment to Hamilton Relay’s application to provide IP CTS to add service using automatic speech recognition (ASR) as well as communications assistants.

• FCC Seeks Comment on Application of Tive, LLC for Certification to Provide Video Relay Service (VRS).  (Public Notice) , CG Docket No. 03-123, DA 21-914, released July 27, 2021.

In this Public Notice, the FCC seeks comment the application of Tive, LLC for certification to provide VRS.

• FCC Seeks Comment on the Amended Application of T-Mobile USA, Inc. to Provide Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service (IP CTS).  (Public Notice), CG Docket No. 03-123, DA 21-949, released August 3, 2021.

In this Public Notice, the FCC seeks comment on an amendment to the application of T-Mobile USA, Inc. to provide IP CTS using automatic speech recognition (ASR) in addition to communications assistants.

• Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities; Petition for Rulemaking of Sprint Corporation.  (Notice of Proposed Rulemaking), CG Docket No. 03-123 and RM-11820, FCC 21-95, released August 6, 2021.

In this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, the FCC seeks comment on proposals to modify the compensation methodology for the Internet Protocol Relay (IP Relay) service and on a Petition for Rulemaking filed by Sprint Corporation (now T-Mobile USA, Inc.), recommending adoption of a compensation methodology for IP Relay based on average intrastate rates for traditional TRS (TTY).

• Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities; Structure and Practices of the Video Relay Services Program.  (Order), CG Docket Nos. 03-123 and 10-51, DA 21-1064 released Aug. 27, 2021.

On August 27, 2021, the FCC released an Order, extending temporary waivers through December 31, 2021, for telecommunications relay services (TRS) providers to ensure relay services remain available during the COVID-19 pandemic. These waivers allow TRS providers flexibility to deal with reduced staffing and increased call volumes, to enable more of their employees to provide services from their homes, to expand the pool of contractors qualified to provide American Sign Language interpretation services for Video Relay Service (VRS), and to allow registered VRS users who are abroad to make calls to the U.S. during the national emergency.

• Certified to Provide IP CTS Using Automatic Speech Recognition.  (Memorandum Opinion and Order), CG Docket No. 03-123, DA 21-1080, released August 31, 2021.

In this Memorandum Opinion and Order, CaptionCall, LLC, is conditionally certified to provide Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service (IP CTS) using automatic speech recognition (ASR) in addition to its communications assistant-based service.

• FCC Grants GSA’s Petition for Partial Waiver of IP CTS and IP Relay Registration Requirements.  (Order), CG Docket No. 03-123, DA 21-1262, released October 8, 2021.

On October 8, 2021, the FCC released an Order granting a petition of the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) for partial waiver of the user registration requirements for two types of telecommunications relay service (TRS): Internet Protocol Relay Service (IP Relay) and Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service (IP CTS). This conditional waiver facilitates GSA’s transitioning federal workers to use of TRS in place of most Federal Relay services and applies only to federal government employees and on-premises contractors.

• FCC Seeks Comment on the Application of Convo Communications for Recertification as a Provider of VRS.  (Public Notice), CG Docket Nos. 03-123 and 10-51, DA 21-1298 (released Oct. 15, 2021).

In this Public Notice, the FCC seeks comment on the application of Convo Communications for re-certification as a provider of Video Relay Service (VRS).

• FCC Extends Current VRS Rates through June 30, 2022.  (Order), CG Docket Nos. 03-123, 10-51 DA 21-1417, released November 12, 2021.

On November 12, 2021, the FCC released an Order granting, on its own motion, a waiver of the December 31, 2021 expiration of current compensation levels for video relay service (VRS), and extends these levels through June 30, 2022, unless the Commission takes action with an earlier effective date.

• Comment Dates Set for Compensation Plan for Internet Protocol Relay Service. (Public Notice), CG Docket No. 03-123 and RM-11820, DA 21-1480, released Nov. 29, 2021.

In this Public Notice, the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau announces the dates for filing comments and reply comments on the proposals in the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FCC 21-95) to modify how providers of Internet Protocol Relay Service (IP Relay) are compensated by the TRS Fund.

• FCC Resolves CaptionCall Investigations.  (Order and Consent Decree), released Dec. 3, 2021.

In this Order and Consent Decree, the Commission announced a settlement with CaptionCall, LLC to resolve investigations into whether CaptionCall violated the Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) rules. Under the Consent Decree, CaptionCall will implement a comprehensive compliance plan, reimburse $28,000,000 to the TRS Fund, and pay a $12,500,000 civil penalty.

• FCC Seeks Comment on Proposed Change of Ownership of Sorenson and CaptionCall.  (Public Notice), CG Docket Nos. 03-123 and 10-51, DA 21-1604, released December 17, 2021.

In this Public Notice, the FCC seeks comment on applications filed by Sorenson Communications, LLC (Sorenson), and CaptionCall, LLC, for conditional certification as providers of Video Relay Service (VRS) and Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service (IP CTS), respectively, after a proposed acquisition of Sorenson and CaptionCall by Ariel GP Holdco, LLC (Ariel).

• FCC Recertifies Convo to Provide Video Relay Service.  (Public Notice), CG Docket No. 03-123 and 10-51, DA 21-1614, released Dec. 20, 2021.

In this Public Notice, the FCC grants the application for Convo Communications, LLC (Convo), for recertification as a provider Video Relay Service (VRS). Convo’s renewed certification is effective from December 21, 2021, through December 20, 2026.

• FCC Seeks Comment on Sorenson Petition for Declaratory Ruling.  (Public Notice), CG Docket No. 03-123 and 10-51, DA 21-1651, released Dec. 29, 2021.

In this Public Notice, the FCC seeks comment on a petition for declaratory ruling filed by Sorenson Communications, LLC on the Commission’s cost allocation methodologies for video relay service (VRS). Sorenson seeks a ruling that the FCC’s rules treat as allowable the costs associated with a VRS provider’s field staff to the extent they are performing tasks that are service-related.

• Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities; Structure and Practices of the Video Relay Services Program.  (Order), CG Docket Nos. 03-123 and 10-51, DA 21-1653, released Dec. 30, 2021.

On December 30, 2021, the FCC released an Order, extending temporary waivers through March 31, 2022, for telecommunications relay services (TRS) providers to ensure relay services remain available during the COVID-19 pandemic. These waivers allow TRS providers flexibility to deal with reduced staffing and increased call volumes, to enable more of their employees to provide services from their homes, to expand the pool of communications assistants qualified to provide American Sign Language interpretation services for Video Relay Service (VRS), and to allow registered VRS users who are abroad to make calls to the U.S. during the national emergency.