2002 TRS History

  • Supplemental Submission for the Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) Fund Year 2001 through June 2002, (Public Notice), CC Docket 90-571, DA 02-310, 17 FCC Rcd 2310, released February 8, 2002

This Public Notice seeks comment on NECA January 4, 2002 supplemental submission proposing to modify the reimbursement rates for traditional TRS, video relay services (VRS) and speech to speech (STS) relay services. NECA recommends increasing the traditional TRS rate from $1.309 to $1.395 per completed interstate conversation minute, increasing the VRS rate from $7.449 to $9.614 ad decreasing the STS rate from $2.62 to $2.469 for minutes incurred from August 1, 2001 through June 30, 2002.

  • FCC Announces March 15, 2002 as the Next Meeting Date for the Consumer/Disability Telecommunications Advisory Committee, (Public Notice), CC Docket 98-67, DA 02-405, 17 FCC Rcd 3209, released February 21, 2002.

Notice that the Consumer/Disability Telecommunications Advisory Committee will hold its next meeting on March 15, 2002 Commission's headquarters building in Washington, DC 20554.

  • FCC Announces May 3, 2002 as the Date of the Rescheduled Public Forum and Technology Expo on Telecommunications Relay Service, (Public Notice), CC Docket 98-67, DA 02-532, 17 FCC Rcd 4319, released March 6, 2002

The Public Forum and Technology Expo on TRS originally scheduled for October 10, 2001 has been rescheduled to Friday May 3, 2002.

  • Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau Announces Agenda for the May 3, 2002 Rescheduled Public Forum and Technology Expo on Telecommunications Relay Service, (Public Notice), CC Docket 98-67, DA 02-756, 17 FCC Rcd 6040, released April 3, 2002.

Announces the agenda for the Forum that was not finalized in the Public Notice DA 02-532.

  • FCC Authorizes Recovery of Costs for New Technology for TRS Users, Seeks Comment on Methods for Allocating Calls as Interstate or Intrastate, (News Release), CC Docket 98-67, released April 18, 2002.

Announcing that providers for Internet Protocol (IP) relay service are eligible for reimbursement from the interstate Telecommunication Relay Service (TRS) fund, according to the FCC. The decision paves the way for increased use of TRS by all Americans who will now be only a mouse click away from this important disability access service.

  • In the Matter of Provision of Improved Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities, (Declaratory Ruling and Second Further Notice of Proposed Rule Making), CC Docket 98-67, FCC 02-121, 17 FCC Rcd 7779, released April 22, 2002, 67 FR 39863, published June 11, 2002 in Federal Register for Final Rule, 67 FR 39929, published June 11, 2002 in the Federal Register for proposed rule.

The Commission authorizes Internet Protocol relay service as a recognizable TRS service. The Commission finds that IP Relay falls within the statutory definition of TRS and those IP Relay providers are eligible to recover their costs in accordance with Section 225 of the Communications Act of 1934.

  • In the Matter of Revision of the Commission's Rules to Ensure Compatibility with Enhanced 911 Emergency Calling System, (Report and Order), CC Docket 94-102, FCC 02-120, 17 FCC Rcd 8481, released April 29, 2002.

In this Report and Order, the Commission takes further steps to improve the ability of public safety answering points (PSAPs) to respond quickly and efficiently to calls for emergency assistance made from a wireless mobile telephone. Specifically, the Commission address issues associated with the inability of a PSAP to call back a 911 caller who is disconnected when the caller that caller is using a non-service-initialized wireless telephone.

  • Telecommunications Relay Services Applications for State Certification and Renewal of Current Certifications Accepted until October 1, 2002, (Public Notice), CC Docket 98-67, DA 02-1006, 17 FCC Rcd 8182, released May 1, 2002.

The Commission informs the states that they are accepting applications for the renewal of state TRS program certifications from July 26, 2002 until October 1, 2002.

  • In the Matter of Telecommunications Service for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, (Order), CC Docket 90-571, DA 02-1166, 17 FCC Rcd 8840, released May 16, 2002.

This Order approves the modification of reimbursement rates for interstate TRS, VRS, and STS services submitted by NECA. Effective August 1, 2001 through June 30, 2002, the interstate TRS reimbursement rate will be $1.395 per conversation minute, the VRS reimbursement rate will be $2.469 per conversation minute.

  • Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau Reminds States and Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) Providers That the Annual Log Summary of Consumer Complaints Concerning TRS Is Due Monday, July 1, 2002, (Public Notice) CC Docket No. 98-67, DA 02-1293, 17 FCC Rcd 10,516, released May 31, 2002.

The Bureau reminds the states and TRS providers that they must submit their annual consumer complaint log summaries for the 12-month period ending May 31, 2002 on or before July 1, 2002.

  • Proposed Payment Formula and Fund Size Estimate for the Interstate Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) Fund for July 2002 Through June 2003, (Public Notice), CC Docket No. 90-571, DA 02-1422>, 17 FCC Rcd 11,242, released June 14, 2002.

This Public Notice announces the proposed contribution factor, payment formula, and fund size estimate for the Interstate TRS Fund, for the funding year running from July 1, 2002 to June 30, 2003. NECA proposes a payment rate for traditional TRS of $1.528 per completed interstate conversation minute, a STS reimbursement rate of $4.045 per completed interstate conversation minute, and VRS reimbursement rate of $17.044 per completed interstate conversation minute. NECA proposed a contribution factor of 0.00080.

  • Commission Seeks Comment on Classifying Internet Protocol Telecommunications Relay Service Calls as Interstate or Interstate for Compensation, (Public Notice), CC Docket No. 98-67, DA 02-1426, 17 FCC Rcd, 11,255, released June 17, 2002

The Commission seeks public comment on whether the Commission should attempt to devise a method for allocating IP Relay calls as intrastate or interstate.

  • FCC Orders Hearing into Apparent Violations of TRS Requirements by the Publix Companies, (News Release), released June 19, 2002.

The FCC ordered that a hearing be held to determine whether a purported TRS provider unlawfully collected or attempted to collect over $10 million from the national TRS Fund.

  • In the Matter of Public Network Corporation; Customer Attendants, LLC; Revenue Controls Corporation; SingTel, Inc.; and Focus Group, LLC, (Order to Show Cause and Notice of Opportunity for Hearing), EB Docket No. 02-149, FCC 02-173, 17 FCC Rcd 11487, released June 19, 2002.

In this Order to Show Cause and Notice of Opportunity for Hearing, the Commission find that an evidentiary hearing is required to determine whether (1) the Commission should revoke the operating authority of the Public Companies, (2) the Public Companies and the principal or principals of the Public companies should be ordered to cease and desist from any future provision of interstate common carrier services without the prior consent of the Commission, (3) the Public Companies are entitle to any of the TRS fund monies that they requested or received from the TRS Fund, and (4) a forfeiture against any or all of the Public Companies is warranted and, if so, the amount of the forfeiture.

  • Pleading Cycle Established for Comment on Petition for Clarification on the provision of and Cost Recovery for Captioned Telephone as an Improved Voice Carry Over Service for Telecommunications Relay Service, (Public Notice), CC Docket 98-67, DA 02-1490, 17 FCC Rcd 11,933, released June 26, 2002, 67 FR 48415.

On April 12, 2002, Ultratec, Inc. filed a petition requesting clarification of the Commission's TRS rules with respect to the provision and reimbursement of captioned telephone, an enhanced VCO service. The petition also seeks wavier of certain TRS mandatory minimum standards that do not apply to this service.

  • Pleading Cycle Established for Comment on Clarification of Procedures for Emergency Calls at Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) Centers, (Public Notice), CC Docket 98-67, DA 02-1826, 17 FCC Rcd 14,539, released July 29, 2002, 67 FR 54761.

This Public Notice seeks comments on the proposed clarification on the procedures for routing emergency calls by TRS centers. This notice also seeks comments on the proposal that requires TRS providers to use a system for emergency calls that would automatically and immediately transfer a caller to the most appropriate Public Safety Answering Point.

  • National Exchange Carrier Association (NECA) Petition for Interim Waiver and Rulemaking Regarding the Cost Recovery for Wireless Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) Calls, (Public Notice), CC Docket 98-67, DA 02-2136, 17 FCC Rcd 16514, released August 30, 2002.

On July 22, 2002, NECA, on behalf of the Interstate Telecommunications Relay Service Fund Advisory Council, filed a petition for interim waiver requesting that the Commission waive section 64.604 of its rules to the extent necessary to permit compensation from the Interstate TRS Fund to relay service providers for all TRS calls placed from wireless telecommunications devices. The petition also requests that the Commission initiate a rulemaking to decide how relay calls should be reimbursed where the jurisdiction of the call cannot be determined from the automatic number identification system.

  • Notice of Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) Applications for State Certification Accepted, Pleading Cycle Established for Comment on TRS Certification Applications, (Public Notice), CC Docket 98-67, DA 02-2759, 17 FCC Rcd 20,888, released October 22, 2002.

Notice is hereby given that the following states have applied to the Commission for renewal of the certification of their State Telecommunications Relay Services program pursuant to Title IV of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Commission's rules: California, Idaho, Kansas, Rhode Island, Utah, Georgia, Indiana, Missouri, South Dakota West Virginia.

  • Notice of Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) Applications for State Certification Accepted, Pleading Cycle Established for Comment on TRS Certification Applications, (Public Notice), CC Docket 98-67, DA 02-2760, 17 FCC Rcd 20,891, released October 22, 2002.

Notice is hereby given that the following states have applied to the Commission for renewal of the certification of their State Telecommunications Relay Services program pursuant to Title IV of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Commission's rules: Kentucky, Montana, Nevada, North Carolina, Tennessee, Louisiana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Oregon, Vermont.

  • Notice of Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) Applications for State Certification Accepted, Pleading Cycle Established for Comment on TRS Certification Applications, (Public Notice), CC Docket 98-67, DA 02-2761, 17 FCC Rcd 20,894, released October 22, 2002.

Notice is hereby given that the following states have applied to the Commission for renewal of the certification of their State Telecommunications Relay Services program pursuant to Title IV of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Commission's rules: Arizona, Delaware, Iowa, Virginia, Maryland, Colorado, Hawaii, Ohio, Wyoming, and Wisconsin.

  • In the Matter of Telecommunications Relay Services and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, (Fifth Report and Order), CC Docket 98-67, FCC 02-269, 17 FCC Rcd 21,233, released October 25, 2002.

The Commission eliminates the requirement that common carriers provide coin sent-paid telecommunications relay service (TRS) from payphones on the grounds that it is currently technological infeasible to provide coin sent-paid relay service through payphones. The Commission requires common carriers to provide local payphone calls made through TRS centers to TRS users on a cost-free basis. The Commission also, encourages specific outreach and education programs to inform TRS users of their options when placing calls from payphones.

  • Notice of Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) Applications for State Certification Accepted, Pleading Cycle Established for Comment on TRS Certification Applications, (Public Notice), CC Docket 98-67, DA 02-3168, 17 FCC Rcd 22,946, released November 15, 2002.

Notice is hereby given that the following states have applied to the Commission for renewal of the certification of their State Telecommunications Relay Services program pursuant to Title IV of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Commission's rules: Arkansas, Florida, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Maine, Mississippi, New Mexico, Puerto Rico.

  • Interstate Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) Fund Advisory Council Files Proposed Guidelines for the Recovery of Costs Associated with Internet Protocol Relay Services, (Public Notice), CC Docket 98-67, DA 02-3409, 17 FCC Rcd 24,812, released December 13, 2002.

In this Public Notice, the Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on proposed guidelines for the recovery of costs from the Interstate Fund associated with Internet Protocol TRS. The Interstate TRS Fund Advisory Council filed the proposed guidelines with the Commission on October 9, 2002, in accordance with the Commission's direction in the April 2002 Declaratory Ruling and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.

Bureau/Office:
Consumer and Governmental Affairs