Comments Due: December 6, 2024
Reply Comments Due: December 16, 2024
On November 21, 2024, the FCC released a Public Notice seeking comment on a request by the U.S. Department of State to allow Video Relay Service (VRS) users to make calls to U.S. embassies and consulates while VRS users are traveling abroad and to allow such calls to be compensable from the Interstate Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) Fund.
Currently, the Commission does not allow compensation from the TRS Fund for international VRS calls where both endpoints are outside the United States. The State Department has asked the Commission to whitelist official State Department telephone numbers and to authorize VRS providers to connect calls to U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide. The State Department claims that its dedicated consular teams around the world stand ready to coordinate help on a 24/7 basis for U.S. residents who need assistance due to a medical emergency, lost passport, death, arrest, or other unanticipated event. The State Department seeks to ensure that deaf and hard of hearing individuals who use VRS have access to these services.
Interested parties may file comments by accessing the FCC’s Electronic Comment Filing System at https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/filings. All filings must reference CG Docket Nos. 03-123 and 10-51. People with disabilities who need assistance to file comments online may request assistance by email to FCC504@fcc.gov.
Link to the Public Notice:
URL: https://www.fcc.gov/document/comment-sought-international-vrs-calls-us-embassies-petition
Link to the Letter from the U.S. Department of State:
https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/document/10923573719951/1
For general information about TRS, visit https://www.fcc.gov/trs, and about VRS, visit https://www.fcc.gov/vrs. For further information about this item, please contact William Wallace, Disability Rights Office, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, at (202) 418-2716, or William.Wallace@fcc.gov. Individuals who use videophones and are fluent in American Sign Language (ASL) may call the FCC’s ASL Consumer Support Line at (844) 432‐2275.