Note: For information about Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service (IP CTS), visit the IP CTS page. For general information about Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS), visit the TRS page.
Captioned Telephone Services (CTS) is used by persons with hearing loss who have some residual hearing. CTS involves the use of a captioned telephone which has a built-in screen that displays real-time text captions of the non-CTS user’s side of the conversation. The CTS user, on one line, can speak to the called party and simultaneously listen to the other party and read captions of what the other party says. A specially trained communication assistant re-voices the information conveyed by the non-CTS user and automated speech recognition technology automatically transcribes the CA’s voice into captions displayed on the captioned telephone. The captioned telephone is connected to a telephone line.
Rules, Guides, and Reports
- Rules
- Telecommunications Relay Services - 47 CFR § 64 Subpart F
- Telecommunications Relay Services Emergency Calling Requirements - 47 CFR § 9 Subpart E
- TRS Customer Proprietary Network Information – 47 CFR § 64 Subpart EE
Contact Information for CTS Providers
- TRS By State
- Identify your local CTS provider, view contact information for the Relay Services Administrator within each state and territory, or review complaint logs summaries from each state or territory.
- Contact List for TRS Complaints
Filing a Complaint with the FCC
Note: You can file your complaint about CTS with the FCC online.
Orders, Public Notices, Notices and Press Releases
12/3/24
Comment Sought on Analog to IP-based TRS Transition (DA 24-1209)
Public Notice: Word||PDF
6/28/24
TRS Fund Compensation and Contribution Formulas for 2024-25 Fund Year (DA 24-620)
Order: Word||PDF
5/10/24
FCC Seeks Comment on 2024-2025 TRS Fund Report (DA 24-448)
Public Notice: Word||PDF
10/27/23
Comment Sought on Securus Petition to Extend Deadline to Offer TRS (DA 23-1021)
Public Notice: Word|| PDF
6/30/23
TRS Compensation and Contribution Formulas for 2023-24 Fund Year (DA 23-577)
Order: Word || PDF
5/17/23
FCC Seeks Comment on TRS Payment Formulas and Funding Requirements (DA 23-407)
Public Notice: Word || PDF
2/9/23
FCC Seeks Comment on Petitions for Reconsideration in Carceral Communications Proceeding (DA 23-81)
Public Notice: Word || PDF
1/6/23
FCC Extends Reply Comment Deadline for Accessible Carceral Communications Proceeding (DA 23-10)
Order: Word || PDF
12/2/22
Comment Due Dates set for Carceral Communications Proceeding (DA 22-1249)
Public Notice: Word || PDF
9/30/22
FCC Mandates TRS Access for Incarcerated People with Disabilities (FCC 22-76)
Report and Order: Word || PDF
6/30/22
Sets TRS Compensation and Contribution Formulas for 2022-23 Fund Year (DA 22-699)
Order: Word || PDF
5/16/22
Seeks Comment on Contribution Factors and Proposed Rates for TRS (DA 22-534)
Public Notice: Word || PDF
12/30/21
TRS COVID-19 Waivers Extended through March 31, 2022 (DA 21-1653)
Order: Word || PDF
6/30/21
TRS Compensation and Contribution Factors Approved (DA 21-779)
Order: Word || PDF
2/22/21
FCC Further Extends Temporary Waivers for Relay Services During Pandemic (DA 21-195)
Order: Word || PDF
2/8/21
CTS and IP CTS Metrics Further Notice Comments Dates (DA 21-135)
Public Notice: Word || PDF
12/18/20
TRS Call Early Termination Prohibition Partially Waived (DA 20-1506)
Order: Word || PDF
8/19/20
TRS Equal Access and Billing Options Waiver Extension (DA 20-903)
Order: Word || PDF
8/5/20
FCC Modernizes TRS Rules and Procedures (FCC 20-105)
Report and Order: Word || PDF
6/30/20
TRS Rates and Contribution Factors Set for 2020-21 Year (DA 20-692)
Order: Word || PDF
6/22/20
FCC Extends Telecommunications Relay Service COVID-19 Waivers (DA 20-650)
News Release: Word || PDF
Order: Word || PDF
6/3/20
TRS Complaint Log Summaries Due July 1, 2020 (DA 20-583)
Public Notice: Word || PDF
5/15/20
Request Comment on Proposed TRS Rates and Sprint Petition on IP Relay Rate (DA 20-522)
Public Notice: Word || PDF
5/14/20
FCC Extends Temporary Waivers For Relay Services Rules During Pandemic (DA 20-517)
News Release: Word || PDF
Order: Word || PDF
4/20/20
Seeking Comment on Consumer Groups Petition Regarding TRS Rules (DA 20-427)
Public Notice: Word || PDF
3/16/20
FCC Grants Temporary Waiver of Certain TRS Rules During Coronavirus (DA 20-281)
Order: Word || PDF
9/18/19
FCC Acts to Modernize the TRS Rules (FCC 19-90)
Order: Word || PDF
8/20/19
TRS equal access and billing options waivers extension (DA 19-789)
Order: Word || PDF
6/28/19
FCC Adopts TRS Rates and Establishes the Size and Contribution Factor for the 2019-2020 TRS Fund Year (DA 19-607)
Order: Word || PDF
Chairman Pai's Statement: Word || PDF
5/31/19
TRS Complaint Log Summaries Due July 1, 2019 (DA 19-502)
Public Notice: Word || PDF
5/13/19
FCC Seeks Comment on 2019-20 TRS Fund Payment Formulas and Fund Requirement (DA 19-407)
Public Notice: Word || PDF
8/9/18
FCC Extends TRS Equal Access and Billing Options Waivers (DA 18-830)
Order: Word || PDF
7/16/18
FCC Renews Certifications for State TRS Programs (DA 18-733)
Public Notice: Word || PDF
6/29/18
FCC Adopts TRS Rates and Establishes the Size and Contribution Factor for the 2018-2019 TRS Fund Year (DA 18-680)
Public Notice: Word || PDF
6/15/18
TRS Complaint Log Summaries Due July 2, 2018 (DA 18-630)
Public Notice: Word || PDF
5/14/18
FCC Seeks Comment on 2018-19 TRS Fund Payment Formulas and Fund Requirement (DA 18-494)
Public Notice: Word || PDF
5/01/18
FCC Sets Deadlines for Comments on Applications for Renewal of Certification of State Relay Programs (DA 18-354)
Public Notice: Word || PDF
Comment Due Date: Word || PDF
04/10/18
Pleading Cycle Established for Comment on Applications for State Certification for the Provision of Telecommunications Relay Service. (DA 18-354)
Public Notice: Word || PDF
01/26/18
State TRS Program Certification Applications Comment Dates. (DA 18-76)
Public Notice: Word || PDF
12/18/17
State TRS Program Application Comment Dates Extended. (DA-17-1214)
Public Notice: Word || PDF
12/18/17
State TRS Program Certification Application Comment Dates. (DA-17-1213)
Public Notice: Word || PDF
11/01/17
State TRS Program Applications to Renew Certifications Filed. (CG Docket No. 03-123) (DA-17-1074)
Public Notice: Word || PDF
7/19/17
FCC Announces State TRS Program Recertification Application Filing Window. (DA 17-697)
Public Notice: Word || PDF
6/30/17
FCC Adopts TRS Rates and Establishes the Size and Contribution Factor for the TRS Fund. (DA 17-642)
Public Notice: Word || PDF
6/8/17
Reminder to States and Interstate Telecommunications Relay Services Providers that the Annual Summary of Consumer Complaints is due by July 3, 2017; Reminder of Ongoing Obligation to Report Contact Information and Substantive Changes in TRS Programs. (DA 17-565)
Public Notice: Word || PDF
5/10/17
Rolka Loube Associates Submits Payment Formulas and Funding Requirement for the Interstate Telecommunications Relay Services Fund for the 2017-2018 Fund Year (DA 17-445)
Public Notice: Word || PDF
8/24/16
Hamilton Relay, Inc., and Sprint Corporation, Petitions for Interim Waiver of Sections 64.604(b)(3) and 64.604(a)(3)(ii). Action by: Deputy Chief, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau. Adopted: 8/24/16 by Order. (CG Docket No. 03-123) (DA 16-963).
Order: Word || PDF
6/30/16
Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities; Structure and Practices of the Video Relay Service Program. Action by: Chief, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau. Adopted: 6/30/16 by Order. (CG Docket Nos. 03-123 and 10-51) (DA 16-750).
Order: Word || PDF
6/20/16
Reminder to States and Interstate Telecommunications Relay Services Providers that the Annual Summary of Consumer Complaints is due by July 1, 2016; Reminder of Ongoing Obligation to Report Contact Information and Substantive Changes in TRS Programs. (CG Docket No. 03-123) (DA 16-702).
Public Notice: Word || PDF
5/9/16
Rolka Loube Associates Submits Payment Formulas and Funding Requirement for the Interstate Telecommunications Relay Services Fund for the 2016-17 Fund Year.
(CG Docket Nos. 03-123 and 10-51) (DA 16-518).
Public Notice: Word || PDF