2009 TRS History

• Notice of Certification of American Network as a Provider of Internet Protocol Relay Service (IP Relay), Video Relay Service (VRS), Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Relay Service (IP CTS) Eligible for Compensation from the Interstate Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) Fund, (Public Notice), CG Docket No. 03-123, DA 09-12, released January 7, 2009.

On February 28, 2008, American Network filed an application for certification as a provider of Internet Protocol (IP) Relay and Video Relay Service (VRS) eligible for compensation from the Interstate TRS Fund (Fund) pursuant to the provider certification rules. On May 23, 2008, American Network submitted an amendment to its application to also seek certification as a provider of Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service (IP CTS). American Network's application is granted.

The Commission has reviewed the American Network Application and the American Network Amendment pursuant to these rules. The Commission concludes that American Network has sufficiently demonstrated that its proposed provision of IP Relay, VRS, and IP CTS services will meet or exceed all operational, technical, and functional TRS standards set forth in the Commission's rules, 47 C.F.R. § 64.604; that it will make available adequate procedures and remedies for ensuring compliance with applicable Commission rules; and that to the extent American Network's service differs from the mandatory minimum standards, the service will not violate the rules.

The Commission grants American Network's application subject to compliance with applicable Commission orders, including the declaratory ruling requiring the interoperability of VRS equipment and service, the order requiring emergency call handling for Internet-based TRS services on an interim basis, and the orders requiring the assignment of ten-digit telephone numbers to Internet-based TRS users and the compliance of E911 requirements. This certification shall remain in effect for a period of five years from the release date of the Public Notice. Within ninety days prior to the expiration of this certification, American Network may apply for renewal of its IP Relay, VRS, and IP CTS services certification by filing documentation in accordance with the Commission's rules.

• Pleading Cycle Established for Comments on Petition for Rulemaking filed by GoAnerica, Inc., Concerning Internet-Based Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) Provider Certification Requirements, (Public Notice), CG Docket No. 03-123, RM No. 11512, DA 09-675, released March 25, 2009.

It has come to the Commission's attention that certain telecommunications relay service (TRS) providers may be improperly "rounding" up conversation minutes that are submitted to the Interstate TRS Fund (Fund) each month for payment. Providers submitting minutes for payment from the Fund must measure the conversation time of each call to the nearest second, and when the time for such calls is expressed in decimal form, the relay provider must round the time to the nearest tenth of a minute.

• Pleading Cycle Established for Comments on Petition for Rulemaking filed by GoAnerica, Inc., Concerning Internet-Based Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) Provider Certification Requirements, (Public Notice), CG Docket No. 03-123, RM No. 11512, DA 09-675, released March 25, 2009.

On January 23, 2009, GoAmerica, Inc. (GoAmerica) filed a petition for rulemaking to amend Section 64.606(a)(2) of the Federal Communications Commission's (Commission's) rules pertaining to the certification of Internet-based telecommunications relay service (TRS) providers. GoAmerica requests the Commission amend its rules (1) to prohibit the practice of providing "white label" services by uncertified entities receiving compensation from the Interstate TRS Fund through certified providers, and (2) to require applicants for Internet-based TRS certification to demonstrate sufficient resources and capabilities to provide an Internet-based TRS service. GoAmerica contends that amending the rule is necessary to preserve the integrity of the TRS program and to maintain the quality of Internet-based TRS service.

• In the Matters of IP-Enabled Services; Implementation of Sections 255 and 251(a)(2) of The Communications Act of 1934, as Enacted by The Telecommunications Act of 1996: Access to Telecommunications Service, Telecommunications Equipment and Customer Premises Equipment by Persons with Disabilities; Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities; The Use of N11 Codes and Other Abbreviated Dialing Arrangements, (Order and Public Notice Seeking Comment), WC Docket No. 04-36, WT Docket No. 96-198, CG Docket No. 03-123, and CC Docket No. 92-105, DA 09-749, adopted April 1, 2009, released April 1, 2009.

In the Order, the Commission extends for 90 days (until June 29, 2009) the limited waiver granted in 2008 TRS 711 Waiver Order of the requirement that traditional telecommunications relay service (TRS) providers must automatically and immediately call an appropriate Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) when receiving an emergency 711-dialed call placed by an interconnected VoIP user. Further, in the Public Notice, the Commission seeks comment on the remaining technical, operational, or other issues that currently prevent traditional TRS providers from being able to reliably identify the appropriate PSAP to call when receiving an emergency call via 711 and an interconnected VoIP service. The Commission also seeks comment regarding the usage of traditional TRS to place calls through interconnected VoIP service, particularly the incidence of such calls for purposes of obtaining emergency assistance.

• Pleading Cycle Established for Filing of Oppositions to Petition for Partial Reconsideration and Limited Waiver, and Petition for Partial Reconsideration, Concerning the Assignment of Ten-Digit Telephone Numbers and E911 Requirements for Internet-Based Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS), (Public Notice), CG Docket No. 03-123 and WC Docket No. 05-196, DA 09-870, released April 20, 2009.

On January 29, 2009, Telecommunications for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Inc. and five consumer organizations (TDI Coalition), and GoAmerica, Inc. (GoAmerica), each filed a petition for partial reconsideration of the Commission's Second Internet-based TRS Order. In that order, the Commission concluded, in part, that "only individuals with a hearing or speech disability will be eligible to obtain ten-digit telephone numbers under the numbering system adopted in the Internet-based TRS Order." To this end, the Commission also required providers to verify that persons receiving ten-digit numbers "have a medically recognized hearing or speech disability necessitating their use of TRS" through a self-certification process.

TDI Coalition and GoAmerica seek reconsideration of this eligibility requirement that limits the assignment of ten-digit telephone numbers to individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing or who have a speech disability. TDI Coalition and GoAmerica contend, in part, that allowing assignment of ten-digit numbers to hearing persons would facilitate point-to-point (i.e., non-relay) calls between a voice telephone user and an individual with a hearing or speech disability, and therefore reduce the number of VRS calls that are compensated from the Interstate TRS Fund.

In addition, GoAmerica requests that the Commission grant reconsideration or a limited waiver for six months of the requirement that Internet-based TRS providers must answer a call back from the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) with priority (i.e., move the call to the top of the queue). GoAmerica asserts that providers are not capable of meeting this requirement at the present time and are working collaboratively on a technical solution.

• FCC Releases American Sign Language Video Explaining New Ten-Digit Numbering and Emergency Call Handling Procedures for Internet-Based Telecommunications Relay Service, (News Release), released April 28, 2009.

The Commission has produced a video in American Sign Language to explain the new ten-digit numbering requirements and emergency call handling procedures for Internet-based telecommunications relay services. The video is available at www.fcc.gov/cgb/dro/numbering_and_e911_for_vrs_ip.html.

• Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities, (Public Notice and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking), FCC 09-39, CG Docket No. 03-123, adopted May 12, 2009, released May 14, 2009.

     74 FR 23815, May 21, 2009 - Proposed rule

     74 FR 23859, May 21, 2009 - Notice

On May 1, 2009, the National Exchange Carrier Association (NECA), the Interstate Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) Fund Administrator, submitted its annual payment formula and fund size estimate for the Interstate TRS Fund (Fund) for the period July 1, 2009, through June 30, 2010. NECA proposes per-minute compensation rates for the various forms of TRS based on the new rate calculation methodologies established in the 2007 TRS Rate Methodology Order. In the Public Notice, the Commission seeks comment on NECA's proposed compensation rates for the various forms of TRS, as well as the proposed funding requirement and carrier contribution factor, as reflected in the 2009 TRS Rate Filing. In the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), the Commission seeks comment on whether, notwithstanding the rate methodology established in the 2007 TRS Rate Methodology Order, the Commission should modify the compensation rates for Video Relay Service (VRS) for the 2009-2010 Fund year. Comments are due on or before June 4, 2009, and reply comments are due on or before June 11, 2009.

• Telecommunications Relay Service and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities, (Order), CG Docket No. 03-123, DA 09-1255, adopted June 3, 2009, released June 3, 2009.

In the Order, the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau extends the comment period for issues in the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking portion of the Public Notice and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking released on May 14, 2009. Comments will now be due on July 6, 2009, and reply comments will be due on July 20, 2009.

• Reminder to States and Intestate Telecommunications Relay Service Providers that the Annual Summary of Consumer Complaints is Due Wednesday, July 1, 2009; Reminder of Ongoing Obligation to Report Contact Information and Substantive Changes in TRS Programs, (Public Notice), CG Docket No. 03-123, DA 09-1318, released June 12, 2009.

The Commission's Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau (Bureau) reminds states and interstate telecommunications relay services (TRS) providers that they must submit their annual consumer complaint log summaries for the 12-month period ending May 31, 2009, on or before Wednesday, July 1, 2009.

The Bureau also reminds certified state TRS programs, interstate TRS providers, and TRS providers that have state contracts that, pursuant to 47 C.F.R. § 64.604(c)(2), they must submit to the Commission a contact person and/or office for TRS consumer information and complaints about the certified state TRS program's intrastate service or, as appropriate, about the TRS provider's service.

The Bureau also reminds certified state TRS programs that, pursuant to 47 C.F.R. § 64.606(f)(1), state TRS programs must notify the Commission of any substantive changes in their TRS programs within 60 days of when they occur, and must certify that the state TRS program continues to meet federal minimum standards after implementing the substantive change. Similarly, VRS, providers IP Relay service providers, and IP Captioned Telephone service providers certified under 47 C.F.R. § 64.606(f)(2) must also notify the Commission of any substantive changes in their TRS programs, services, and features within 60 days of when such changes occur, and certify that they continue to meet federal minimum standards after implementing the substantive change.

Contact information for certified state TRS programs is posted on the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau's website at: https://www.fcc.gov/cgb/dro/trs_contact_list.html; contact information for interstate TRS providers is posted at: https://www.fcc.gov/cgb/dro/trs_providers.html.

• Telecommunications Relay Service and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities; E911 Requirements for IP-Enabled Service Providers, (Order), CG Docket No. 03-123 and WC Docket No. 05-196, DA 09-1323, adopted and released June 15, 2009.

In this Order, the Commission finds good cause to extend the June 30, 2009, date for the end to the permissive calling period during which Internet-based Telecommunications Relay Service (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.

• Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau Seeks to Refresh the Record on Petition to Mandate Captioned Telephone Relay Service (CTS), (Public Notice), CG Docket No. 03-123, DA 09-1436, released June 26, 2009.

By the Public Notice, the Commission seeks to refresh the record on a Petition for Rulemaking (Petition) filed by various consumer groups in 2005 requesting that the Commission initiate a rulemaking to make Captioned Telephone Relay Service (CTS) a mandatory form of telecommunications relay service (TRS). On June 10, 2009, some of the parties to the original Petition filed a supplement reiterating their request for rulemaking to make CTS a mandatory service. The Commission also seeks comment on that filing.

Captioned telephone service is a form of TRS that permits persons with a hearing disability to simultaneously listen to what the other party is saying and read captions of what the other party is saying on the same device. In the 2003 CTS Order, the Commission recognized captioned telephone service as a form of TRS eligible for compensation from the Interstate TRS Fund, but did not make it a mandatory service. The Commission seeks to refresh the record on whether the Commission should initiate a rulemaking to mandate CTS, and also seek comment on any other related issues raised in the Petition and supplemental filing. Comments are due July 27, 2009 and reply comments are due August 10, 2009.

• Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities, (Order), CG Docket No. 03-123, DA 09-1451, adopted and released June 26, 2009.

On May 1, 2009, the National Exchange Carrier Association, Inc. (NECA), the Interstate Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) Fund Administrator, filed its annual Interstate Telecommunications Relay Services Fund Payment Formula and Fund Size Estimate for the period of July 1, 2009, through June 30, 2010. On May 14, 2009, the Commission released the 2009 Rate PN and NPRM seeking comment on NECA's filing, as well as on whether, notwithstanding the rate methodology established in the 2007 TRS Rate Methodology Order, the Commission should modify the compensation rates for Video Relay Service (VRS) for the 2009-2010 Fund year.

In its filing, NECA proposes the following rates: $1.8311 per minute for interstate traditional TRS; $2.9621 per minute for interstate Speech-to-Speech (STS); $1.6778 per minute for interstate captioned telephone service (CTS) and intrastate and interstate Internet Protocol (IP) captioned telephone service (IP CTS); $1.2801 per minute for intrastate and interstate IP Relay; and tiered rates of $6.7025 for the first 50,000 monthly minutes, $6.4352 for monthly minutes between 50,001 and 500,000, and $6.2372 for minutes above 500,000 for intrastate and interstate VRS. Based on these rates, NECA proposes a carrier contribution factor of 0.01137, and a funding requirement of $890,992,075.

• IP-Enabled Services; Implementation of Sections 255 and 251 (a)(2) of the Communications Act of 1934, as Enacted by the Telecommunications Act of 1996: Access to Telecommunications Service, Telecommunications Equipment and Customer Premises Equipment by Persons with Disabilities; Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities; The Use of N11 Codes and Other Abbreviated Dialing Arrangements, (Order) WC Docket No. 04-36, WT Docket No. 96-198, CG Docket No. 03-123, and CC Docket No. 92-105, DA 09-1461, adopted and released June 26, 2009.

In the Order, the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau (Bureau) 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 traditional telecommunications relay service (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.

The rule at issue has been waived previously, and on April 1, 2009, the Bureau extended that limited waiver until June 29, 2009. In doing so, the Bureau recognized that "technical and operational challenges" continue to prevent traditional TRS providers from developing a system to consistently identify an appropriate PSAP to which to route an emergency, 711-dialed interconnected VoIP call in the manner prescribed by section 64.604(a)(4). At the same time, the Bureau issued a Public Notice (Notice) seeking comment on the specific challenges preventing traditional TRS providers from complying with this rule and on the continuing need, from the consumer's perspective, to be able to dial 711 via TRS in an emergency, rather than dialing 911 directly.

• Clarification Regarding the use of Toll Free Numbers For Internet-Based Telecommunications Relay Services, (Public Notice), CC Docket No. 98-67, CG Docket No. 03-123, and WC Docket No. 05-196, DA 09-1787, released August 11, 2009.

In the Public Notice, the Commission clarifies the use of toll free numbers for Internet-based Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) under the Second Internet-based TRS Order. In doing so, the Commission ensures that the use of toll free numbers for Internet-based TRS is functionally equivalent to the use of toll free numbers for voice telephone services.

• Pleading Cycle Established for Comment on Petition of Sorenson Communications, Inc. for Declaratory Ruling or Limited Waiver of the Commission's Rules, (Public Notice), CG Docket No. 03-123 and WC Docket No. 05-196, DA 09-1789, released August 11, 2009.

On April 13, 2009, Sorenson Communications, Inc. (Sorenson) filed a petition for declaratory ruling or limited waiver regarding the Commission's rule that every default provider of Internet-Protocol (IP) Relay service and video relay service (VRS) provide its users a geographically appropriate North American Numbering Plan (NANP) telephone number. Sorenson claims its numbering partner is unable to obtain telephone numbers in every rate center and therefore, Sorenson is unable to provide its users that live in those unserved rate centers a geographically appropriate number. Sorenson further argues that it is not "economically or operationally feasible" for itself or any other IP Relay or VRS provider to obtain telephone numbers in every rate center.

Accordingly, Sorenson asks the Commission to find lawful a policy of providing users a temporary "geographically approximate" guest number from a nearby rate center when a default IP Relay or VRS provider is unable to provide a geographically appropriate number. Alternatively, Sorenson asks the Commission to grant a temporary waiver of its rule to allow the assignment of temporary "geographically approximately" guest numbers. Comments are due August 26, 2009. Reply comments are due September 10, 2009.

• FCC Announces Workshop on Ten-Digit Numbering and E911 Requirements for VRS and IP Relay to be Held on September 25, 2009, (News Release), released September 18, 2009.

The Federal Communications Commissions announced it will hold a workshop on September 25, to address issues relating to Ten-Digit Numbering and E911 Requirements for Video Relay Service (VRS) and Internet Protocol (IP) Relay.

• Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities, (Order), CG Docket No. 03-123, DA 09-2084, adopted and released September 18, 2009.

On August 12, 2009, Purple Communications, Inc. (Purple) filed a Petition for Rulemaking to Clarify Relay Rules. Among other things, Purple asks the Commission to adopt formal rules "that confirm that the ADA permits the reimbursement of multi-party VRS calls, regardless of whether a hearing individual is on the call," and to confirm the lawfulness of certain outreach and marketing practices.

The Commission's rules provide that petitions for a rulemaking "which are moot, premature, repetitive, frivolous, or which plainly do not warrant consideration by the Commission may be denied or dismissed without prejudice to the petitioner." The Commission dismisses pursuant to this rule Purple's contention that VRS calls among individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing are compensable by the Fund. Purple requests in its instant Petition that the Commission "confirm" that VRS calls not involving a hearing individual are reimbursable under section 225 of the Communications Act. In January 2009, however, nine VRS providers, including GoAmerica (now Purple), filed a petition for declaratory ruling seeking to expand under Title I of the Communications Act the class of services compensable from the Fund. Although the petitioners submitted reasons for doing so, they accepted in the January 2009 filing that the Commission currently does not allow compensation for services that enable individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech disabled to communicate with each other via VRS. The Commission finds that Purple's filing of a petition that contradicts Purple's own arguments in another pending proceeding renders consideration of the inconsistent Petition for a Rulemaking unwarranted on the issue of VRS calls not involving a hearing individual.

• Pleading Cycle Established for Comments on Petition of Qwest Wireless for Waiver of the Commission's Rules on Contributions to the Interstate Telecommunications Relay Service Fund, (Public Notice), CG Docket No. 03-123, DA 09-2097, released September 23, 2009.

On June 26, 2009, Qwest Wireless filed a petition for waiver of the Interstate Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) Fund contribution requirement contained in the Commission's rules, 47 C.F.R. §64.604(c)(5)(iii). Specifically, Qwest Wireless seeks a waiver of the relevant contribution rule so that it would not contribute to the Interstate TRS Fund in the funding year beginning July 1, 2009. Qwest Wireless states that it is exiting the telecommunications business and will discontinue service on October 31, 2009. Qwest Wireless further states that it is seeking this waiver "so that its contributions to the TRS Fund in calendar year 2009 are better aligned with the recovery of TRS costs from its current customers." Comments are due October 14, 2009 and reply comments are due October 21, 2009.

• Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau (Bureau) Reminds Video Relay Service (VRS) and Internet Protocol (IP) Relay Service Providers of their Outreach Obligations and Clarifies their Call Handling Obligations for Unregistered Users After the November 12, 2009, Ten-Digit Numbering Registration Deadline, (Public Notice), CG Docket No. 03-123, WC Docket No. 05-196, DA 09-2261, released October 21, 2009.

First, the Bureau reminds VRS and IP Relay providers of their consumer outreach and education obligations, as required in the Numbering Order & FNPRM. For example, providers must include an advisory on their websites and in any promotional material addressing the registration process, numbering portability, and the importance of maintaining up to date registered location information. The Bureau also encourages providers to, among other steps, utilize automatic prompts that appear on the caller's screen when the caller is initiating a call to remind VRS and IP Relays users of the registration deadline and to inform them of the registration process.

Second, the Bureau clarifies providers' call handling obligations after the November 12, 2009 registration deadline. Beginning on November 13, 2009, VRS and IP Relay providers must register VRS and IP Relay users before they make non-emergency calls. The provider with which the VRS or IP Relay user registers will serve as the user's default provider, and "all inbound and outbound calls will, by default, be routed through the default provider." The Bureau have made clear to providers, however, that they must inform users that: "(1) the consumer may obtain a telephone number from, and register with, his or her provider of choice (notwithstanding any prior relationship the consumer may have had with another provider); (2) the consumer may change default providers at any time and, in doing so, retain his or her telephone number by porting the number to the new default provider; (3) the consumer may make calls through, and receive calls from, any provider (and the consumer is not limited to making or receiving calls through his or her default provider); and (4) the provider cannot condition the ongoing use or possession of equipment, or the receipt of different or upgraded equipment, on the consumer continuing to use the provider as its default provider."

The Bureau further clarifies that a VRS or IP Relay communications assistant (CA) may, during call set-up (i.e., before the outbound call is made to the called party and a relay call has begun) or call wrap-up (i.e., after the called party has hung up and the relay call has ended) inform the caller of the registration deadline and requirements and assist the caller with the registration process. The Bureau also notes that, as of November 13, 2009, voice telephone users will no longer be able to reach a VRS or IP Relay user by calling his or her previously obtained "proxy" or "alias" number.

Further, beginning on November 13, 2009, VRS and IP Relay providers must verify that the caller is registered before completing a non-emergency call. If a caller is not registered, and is making a non-emergency call, the provider must first get the caller's necessary registration information but then must complete the call. We emphasize that the provider must handle calls to or from such callers, to the extent technically feasible, even if the provider has not completed verifying that information, assigning the caller a new ten-digit number, and provisioning that number to the iTRS database.

• Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities; E911 Requirements for IP-Enabled Service Provider, (Order), CG Docket No. 03-123, CC Docket No. 98-67, and WC Docket No. 05-196, DA 09-2389, adopted November 5, 2009, released November 5, 2009.

The Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau and the Wireline Competition Bureau (the Bureaus) 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, the Bureaus 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. The Bureaus 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, the Bureaus 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.

• FCC Announces Workshop on VRS Reform to be Held on December 17, 2009, (News Release), released December 3, 2009.

1. The most efficient way to deliver VRS, particularly whether the service should remain a competitive service or be provided via competitive bidding;
2. A fair, efficient, and transparent compensation methodology; and,
3. Mechanisms for combating waste, fraud and abuse, addressing service rules, and addressing technical matters such as interoperability, ten-digit numbering, and emergency call handling.

The Federal Communications Commission today announces it will hold a workshop on December 17, 2009, as part of its comprehensive review of the Video Relay Service (VRS) program, to ensure that the program's underlying structure fosters the efficient, effective, and lawful provision of VRS. This workshop is open to the public and is intended to gather data and information on these key areas:

1. The most efficient way to deliver VRS, particularly whether the service should remain a competitive service or be provided via competitive bidding;
2. A fair, efficient, and transparent compensation methodology; and,
3. Mechanisms for combating waste, fraud and abuse, addressing service rules, and addressing technical matters such as interoperability, ten-digit numbering, and emergency call handling.

The Commission will provide additional details about the workshop as it approaches.

• Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities; E911 Requirements for IP-Enabled Services Providers (Order), CG Docket No. 03-123, CC Docket No. 98-67, WC Docket No. 05-196, DA 09-2543 adopted December 4, 2009, released December 4, 2009.

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.

• FCC Announces Agenda and Panelists for Workshop on VRS Reform to be held on December 17, 2009, (News Release), December 15, 2009.

The Federal Communications Commission announces the panelists and agenda for the workshop on December 17, 2009 focusing on Video Relay Service (VRS) reform. Although there will not be a public comment period during this workshop, the public is encouraged to attend, and written ex parte presentations will be accepted.

• In the Matter of Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities; D911 Requirements for IP-Enabled Service Providers, (Order), CG Docket No. 03-123, WC Docket No. 05-196, DA 09-2634, adopted and released December 24, 2009.

In this Order, the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau and the Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureaus) 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, the Bureaus 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).

In addition, the Bureaus 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. 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, the Bureaus grant this extension until July 1, 2010, or until the Commission addresses pending petitions regarding CPE portability, whichever comes first.