2014 TRS History Docket

  • FCC Authorizes Voluntary Experiments to Measure Impact on Customers of Technology Transitions in Communications Networks, (News Release), released January 30, 2014

The Federal Communications Commission today launched a broad set of voluntary experiments meant to ensure that the nation’s communications networks continue to provide the services consumers want and need in this era of historic technological transformations.

Driven by developments in the marketplace, technology transitions in communications networks are already well underway. They include, for example, the transition from plain old telephone service delivered over copper lines to feature-rich voice service using Internet Protocols, delivered over coaxial cable, fiber, or wireless networks. The FCC’s experiments will focus on how the enduring values underlying operation of today’s networks can be preserved and enhanced throughout technological change. These values are fundamental:

New technologies can deliver efficient, innovative services to consumers, spark investment, and grow the economy. But at this time, consumers can revert to legacy services if the newer technologies don’t meet their needs. When adoption of new technologies reaches critical mass, many providers may ask the FCC for permission to cease offering those legacy services.

These experiments will gather information in three broad areas:

The data gathered in these experiments will ensure that the ongoing public dialogue about technology transitions is based on solid facts and data. This discussion will guide the FCC as it makes complex legal and policy choices that advance and accelerate the technology transitions while ensuring that consumers and the enduring values are not adversely affected.

  • Public safety communications must be available no matter the technology
  • All Americans must have access to affordable communications services
  • Competition in the marketplace provides choice for consumers and businesses
  • Consumer protection is paramount
  • Service-based experiments: Providers are invited to submit proposals to initiate tests of providing IP-based alternatives to existing services in discrete geographic areas or situations. Proposals are due by Feb. 20, followed by a public comment and reply period ending on March 31, and final decision on the proposals made at the FCC’s May meeting
  • Targeted experiments and cooperative research: These experiments will explore the impact on specific values, including universal access and competition.
  • Rural America: experiments will focus on ways to deliver robust broadband to rural areas
  • People with disabilities: development and funding of interagency research on IP-based technologies for people with disabilities
  • Telephone numbering in all-IP world: a numbering testbed will address concerns raised about number assignment and databases in an all-IP world, without disrupting current systems
  • Data improvement:
  • Reform of the FCC’s consumer complaint and inquiry process to collect better data on how technological change is impacting consumer values
  • Intergovernmental collaboration (state, local and Tribal governments) to better understand consumer impact
  • Collection and analysis of data on next-generation 911 systems in coordination with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National 911 office and public safety associations
  • Technology Transitions; AT&T Petition to Launch a Proceeding Concerning the TDM-to-IP Transition; Connect America Fund; Structure and Practices of the Video Relay Program; Telecommunications Relay Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities; Numbering Policies for Modern Communications, (Order, Report and Order and FNPRM, Report and Order, Order and FNPRM, Proposal for Ongoing Initiative), FCC 14-5, (GN Docket Nos. 13-5 and 12-353; WC Docket Nos. 13-97 and 10-90; CG Docket Nos.10-51 and 03-123 ), adopted January 30, 2014, 29 FCC Rcd 1433, released January 31, 2014
    79 FR 11327, February 28, 2014 - Final Rule
    79 FR 11366, February 28, 2014 - Proposed Rule

    Today’s Order, Report and Order, Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, and Proposal for Ongoing Data Initiative (Order) kickstart the process for a diverse set of experiments and data collection initiatives that will allow the Commission and the public to evaluate how customers are affected by the historic technology transitions that are transforming our nation’s voice communications services – from a network based on time-division multiplexed (TDM) circuit-switched voice services running on copper loops to an all-Internet Protocol (IP) network using copper, co-axial cable, wireless, and fiber as physical infrastructure. Americans have come to expect secure, reliable, and innovative communications services. The purpose of these experiments is to speed market-driven technological transitions and innovations by preserving the core statutory values as codified by Congress – public safety, ubiquitous and affordable access, competition, and consumer protection – that exist today. The experiments and initiatives will collect data that will permit service providers and their customers, and independent analysts and commentators – as well as the federal, State, local, and Tribal officials charged with oversight – to make data-driven decisions about these technology transitions. By using an open and deliberative process to identify and address challenges, all stakeholders will benefit as we together learn how we may ensure that our values flourish as providers implement new technologies at scale and, ultimately, seek to discontinue legacy services and facilities.

  • Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau Announces Workshop on Research Initiative on IP-Based Relay Technologies, (Public Notice), GN Docket No. 14-19, DA 14-117, 29 FCC Rcd 925, released January 31, 2014

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the National Institute on Aging (NIA) will host a workshop the morning of Tuesday, February 18, 2014. The purpose of the workshop will be to gather and incorporate stakeholder input on the types of research that are needed to improve the functional equivalency and efficiency of telecommunications relay service (TRS).

This first workshop will focus on developing a platform for the delivery of IP-based relay services and the development of new and improved relay services during and after the IP transition. Panels will include discussions with academics and researchers with demonstrated relevant expertise. An audience question and answer session will follow. Additional details will be released closer to the event date.

  • Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau Announces Tentative Agenda and Panelists for February 18, 2014 Workshop on IP-Based Relay Technologies, (Public Notice), GN Docket No. 14-19, DA 14-173, 29 FCC Rcd 1245, released February 10, 2014

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the National Institute on Aging (NIA) will host a workshop on Tuesday, February 18, 2014 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Commission Meeting Room (TW-C305) located at 445 12th Street SW, Washington, D.C. 20554.

As one of its voluntary experiments meant to ensure that all Americans have access to communication services during this period of technological change, the FCC is developing and funding interagency research on IP-based technologies for people with disabilities. The workshop will gather input on the types of research that are needed to improve the functional equivalency and efficiency of Telecommunication Relay Services during and after the IP transition.

Specifically, the panel discussions will focus on developing a platform for the delivery of IP based relay services to consumers and exploring innovative IP-based technologies for relay services during and after the transition.

  • Notice of Temporary Extension of Certification of Purple Communications, Inc. as a Provider of Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Relay Service, (Public Notice), CG Docket Nos. 03-123 and 10-51, DA 14-176, 29 FCC Rcd 1258, released February 11, 2014

By this Public Notice, the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau (Bureau) announces that it extends for 90 additional days, until May 12, 2014, the certification period for Purple Communications, Inc. (Purple), to provide Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service (IP CTS) and to receive compensation from the Interstate TRS Fund (Fund) for the provision of this service.

  • Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau Clarifies Application of Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service (IP CTS) Rules on User Registration and Certification, (Public Notice), CG Docket Nos. 13-24 and 03-123, DA 14-251, 29 FCC Rcd 1935, released February 24, 2014

The Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau clarifies that interim rule 64.604(c)(9)(v), which requires that IP CTS providers obtain third-party professional certification from new IP CTS users who pay less than $75 for equipment (other than equipment obtained from a governmental equipment distribution program), remains in effect at this time. In the IP CTS R&O, the Commission extended the effectiveness of interim rule 64.604(c)(9) until the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approves the information collections contained in final rule 64.604(c)(9) and a notice of such approval is published in the Federal Register. As such OMB approval has not yet occurred, and thus no notice of such approval has been published in the Federal Register, interim rule 64.604(c)(9)(v) is currently in effect under the terms of the IP CTS R&O.

  • Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities; Sprint Communications, Inc., Request for Review of the Decision of the TRS Administrator to Withhold TRS Payments, (Order), CG Docket No. 03-123, DA 14-334, adopted March 11, 2014, 29 FCC Rcd 2668, released March 11, 2014

In the Order, the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau (Bureau) of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission), acting on delegated authority, grants in part and denies in part Sprint Nextel Communications’ (Sprint) request for review of the withholding of compensation payments for Sprint’s Internet Protocol Relay Service (IP Relay) service. The Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) Fund (TRS Fund, or Fund) administrator, Rolka Loube Saltzer Associates, Inc. (RLSA), withheld payment to Sprint from the TRS Fund for the provision of IP Relay from January 2012 through September 2012, based on its determination that Sprint did not comply with RLSA’s filing instructions implementing the Commission’s data submission rule for that period. The Bureau affirm RLSA’s finding that Sprint failed to comply with the Commission’s data submission rule during that period.

  • Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities, (Order), CG Docket No. 03-123, DA 14-410, adopted March 26, 2014, 29 FCC Rcd 3162, released March 26, 2014

By the Order, the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, on its own motion and pursuant to delegated authority, grants a partial waiver of the requirements for providers of Internet-based relay services, also known as iTRS providers, to file waiver status reports by April 16, 2014.

  • Misuse of Internet Protocol (IP) Relay Service; Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-To-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities, (Order), CG Docket Nos. 12-38 and 03-123, DA 14-564, adopted April 29, 2014, 29 FCC Rcd 4807, released April 29, 2014

The Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau (CGB) takes immediate action to eliminate the 911 exception to the Commission’s Internet protocol relay service (IP Relay) rules to prevent a certain type of misuse of IP Relay and to ensure the safety of life and the protection of property. Specifically, in the Order, CGB sua sponte grants an interim waiver of the requirement that providers of Internet protocol relay service (IP Relay) handle 911 calls initiated by callers who have been registered, but not verified by an IP Relay provider. In 2012, the Commission eliminated the requirement for IP Relay providers to handle calls placed by newly registered users prior to completing the verification of such users, but kept this requirement for emergency IP Relay calls placed to 911.

The waiver that CGB grants today of this requirement will become effective upon release of the Order and will remain in effect for one year in order to afford the Commission an opportunity to seek public comment on this matter and take final action on IP Relay registration and verification procedures pursuant to its open rulemaking on IP Relay matters. CGB concludes that this is necessary to address significant exigent circumstances, and to immediately halt a harmful practice while the Commission considers how to address this issue in the longer term.

  • Rolka Loube Saltzer Associated Submits Payment Formulas and Funding Requirement for the Interstate Telecommunications Relay Services Fund for the 2014-2015 Fund Year, (Public Notice), CG Docket Nos. 03-123 and 10-51, DA 14-627, 29 FCC Rcd 5026, released May 9, 2014

By the Public Notice, the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau (CGB) seeks comment on the Interstate TRS Fund (Fund) administrator’s proposed provider compensation rates, funding requirement, and carrier contribution factor for the period from July 1, 2014, through June 30, 2015, for telecommunications relay services (TRS) compensated by the Fund.

  • Notice of Temporary Extension of Certification of Purple Communications, Inc., as a Provider of Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Relay Service, (Public Notice), CG Docket Nos. 03-123 and 10-51, DA 14-634, 29 FCC Rcd 5051, released May 12, 2014

By the Public Notice, the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau announces that it extends for 90 additional days, until August 10, 2014, the certification period for Purple Communications, Inc., to provide Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service and to receive compensation from the Interstate TRS Fund for the provision of this service.

  • Notice of Conditional Grant of Application of Miracom USA, Inc., for Certification as a Provider of Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service Eligible for Compensation from the Telecommunications Relay Services Fund, (Public Notice), CG Docket Nos. 03-123, 10-51, and 13-24, DA 14-644, 29 FCC Rcd 5105, released May 13, 2014

By the Public Notice, the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau (Bureau) grants conditional certification to Miracom USA, Inc. (Miracom), to provide Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service (IP CTS) that is eligible for compensation from the Interstate Telecommunications Relay Services Fund. This action is based on the Bureau’s review of Miracom’s application and supplemental filing. Conditional certification permits Miracom to provide IP CTS as described in its application, pending a final determination of Miracom’s qualifications. To assist it in reaching a final determination, the Bureau may conduct one or more on-site inspections of Miracom’s facilities and request additional documentation relating to Miracom’s provision of IP CTS.

  • FCC Launches Support Line for Consumers who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing Using American Sign Language over Videophone, (News Release), released June 10, 2014

The FCC has launched a video consumer support service, the ASL Consumer Support Line, specifically designed to enable consumers who are deaf and hard of hearing to engage in a direct video call with a consumer specialist at the FCC. The service will allow deaf and hard of hearing consumers to communicate in their primary language, American Sign Language (ASL). Until now deaf and hard of hearing consumers only had the option to communicate using relay services or by filing a complaint form online.

The FCC’s ASL Consumer Support Line, operated by the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau’s Disability Rights Office, gives consumers using videophones direct access to the FCC through a ten-digit telephone number connecting them to an ASL Consumer Specialist between 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The ASL Consumer Specialist will be able to assist consumers with filing informal complaints. In addition, the Specialist can help consumers obtain information in response to inquiries on a wide range of disability-related matters, such as telecommunications relay service (TRS), closed captioning and access to emergency information on television, and general telecommunication matters, such as slamming, Do-Not-Call telemarketing violations and broadband services.

  • Reminder to States and Interstate Telecommunications Relay Services Providers that the Annual Summary of Consumer Complaints is due July 1, 2014; Reminder of Ongoing Obligation to Report Contact Information and Substantive Changes in TRS Programs, (Public Notice), CG Docket No. 03-123, DA 14-831, 29 FCC Rcd 7333, released June 17, 2014

The Federal Communications Commission’s Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau (CGB) reminds states 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, 2013 to May 31, 2014, on or before Tuesday, July 1, 2014.

CGB 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 the name of a contact person and/or office 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. The submission must include the name and address of the state or TRS office that receives complaints, grievances, inquiries and suggestions; the voice, TTY, and fax numbers for that office; the email address; and the physical address to which correspondence should be sent.

The Commission must be notified each time there is a change in any of this required information. Any changes in contact information for certified state TRS programs and/or interstate TRS providers should be sent to TRS_POC@fcc.gov.

  • Structure and Practices of the VRS Program; Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-To-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing And Speech Disabilities; Video Relay Service Provider Requests for Temporary Waiver of the Speed-of-Answer Rule, (Order), CG Docket Nos. 10-51 and 03-123, DA 14-878, adopted June 24, 2014, 29 FCC Rcd 7569, released June 24, 2014

The Order defers for six months the effective date of the new 30-second standard governing how quickly a video relay service (VRS) provider must respond to a consumer’s request to make a VRS call. This new standard, which otherwise takes effect July 1, 2014, requires that providers must answer (i.e., provide the equivalent of a dial tone) 85 percent of consumers’ VRS call attempts within 30 seconds, measured daily. Providers and consumer groups, however, have made a persuasive showing that to compel providers to meet a 30-second response time by July 1st, only six months after the current 60-second time standard took effect, could be unnecessarily disruptive to providers’ ability to offer high quality service. On balance, the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau believes this temporary delay in the transition to a faster speed-of-answer standard will benefit consumers and serve the public interest by ensuring that quality of service is maintained, avoiding undue disruption in the supply of interpreters, and allowing providers more predictability and stability in their operations during the transition to faster speed-of-answer requirements.

  • 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 14-935, adopted June 27, 2014, 29 FCC Rcd 7949, released June 27, 2014

In the Order, the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau (CGB) of the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) grants a request made by Hamilton Relay, Inc. and Sprint Corporation for additional time to comply with the Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service (IP CTS) equipment labeling requirements for: (1) equipment distributed to consumers prior to the effective date of the labeling rule; (2) equipment manufactured, packaged, and shipped to distributors prior to November 11, 2013; and (3) computer software and mobile applications.

Specifically, CGB grants in part the Joint Petition for Limited Waiver filed by Hamilton and Sprint on September 30, 2013, and amended on November 13, 2013, and March 24, 2014. Petitioners seek limited waiver of the implementation of the labeling requirements for IP CTS equipment and applications set forth in the Commission’s IP CTS Reform Order.

  • Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities; E911 Requirements for IP-Enabled Service Providers, (Memorandum Opinion and Order), WC Docket No. 05-196 and CG Docket No. 03-123, DA 14-939, adopted June 27, 2014, 29 FCC Rcd 7971, released June 27, 2014

By the Order, the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau and the Wireline Competition Bureau extend certain waivers of the Commission’s mandatory minimum standards for telecommunications relay services (TRS). These waivers, which are set to expire on July 1, 2014, are extended until the Commission determines, in a pending rulemaking, whether the standards at issue should cover the affected services, except that the waivers of the customer premises equipment (CPE) portability requirement, are extended until July 1, 2015.

  • Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities; Structure and Practices of the Video Relay Service Program, (Order), CORRECTED, CG Docket Nos. 10-51 and 03-123, DA 14-946, adopted June 30, 2014, 29 FCC Rcd 8044, released June 30, 2014

The Order adopts per-minute compensation rates to be paid from the Interstate Telecommunications Relay Services Fund (TRS Fund, or Fund) for the Fund Year beginning July 1, 2014, for all forms of telecommunications relay services (TRS). The order also determines the total size of the TRS Fund for the coming year and the percentage factor used to calculate how much interstate and international revenue telecommunications carriers and other service providers must contribute to the TRS Fund.

Effective July 1, 2014, the per-minute compensation rates for TRS, other than video relay service (VRS), shall be: (1) for interstate traditional TRS, $2.1170; (2) for interstate Speech-to-Speech relay service (STS), $3.2480; (3) for interstate captioned telephone service (CTS) and Internet Protocol captioned telephone service (IP CTS), $1.8205. These rates are based on recommendations of the current Fund administrator, Rolka Loube Saltzer Associates (RLSA). For IP Relay, on reconsideration of the Bureau’s 2013 TRS Rate Order, the Bureau sets a compensation rate of $1.0309 per minute.

  • Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities; Structure and Practices of the Video Relay Service Program, (Erratum), CG Docket Nos. 10-51 and 03-123, (in association with DA 14-946), released July 17, 2014

On June 30, 2014, the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau released an Order, DA 14-946, in the above-captioned proceeding. The Erratum amends the Order as follows:

In Paragraph 19, replace "September 30, 2013" with "August 31, 2013" and "October 1, 2013" with "September 1, 2013".

  • Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau Reaffirms Application of Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service (IP CTS) Rule on User Registration and Certification, (Public Notice), CG Docket Nos. 13-24 and 03-123, DA 14-1127, 29 FCC Rcd 9442, released August 1, 2014

In the Public Notice, the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau (CGB) of the Federal Communications Commission affirms the applicability of certain provisions of the Commission’s telecommunications relay services (TRS) rules in light of the decision of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit on June 20, 2014. In its decision, the court vacated in their entirety the Commission’s interim rules governing Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service (IP CTS) and vacated two of the Commission’s final rules governing IP CTS. The Public Notice sets forth the applicability of the Commission’s IP CTS user registration and certification requirements following the court’s ruling.

  • Notice of Temporary Extension of Certification of Purple Communications, Inc. as a Provider of Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Relay Service, (Public Notice), CG Docket Nos. 10-51 and 03-123, DA 14-1154, 29 FCC Rcd 9584, released August 8, 2014

By the Public Notice, the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau announces that it extends for 90 additional days, until November 8, 2014, the certification period for Purple Communications, Inc., to provide Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service and to receive compensation from the Interstate TRS Fund for the provision of this service.

Proposed Rule - 79 FR 62875, October 21, 2014
Final Rule - 79 FR 62935, October 21, 2014

In the Report and Order and Order (Order), the Commission eliminates certain waivers that are no longer necessary, given advances in relay service technology. At the same time, the Commission extends certain existing waivers of mandatory minimum standards for specific providers for which the provision of certain TRS features is technologically infeasible. Finally, the Commission eliminates certain TRS requirements that are either not applicable or technically not feasible, while ensuring that TRS consumers continue to have access to communications services that are functionally equivalent to voice telephone services.

In the Declaratory Ruling, the Commission confirms that Spanish Language Services over iTRS and CTS are voluntary services. The Commission also reminds providers of the existing ban on per minute compensation for TRS calls by employees or subcontractors of VRS providers and the prohibition on initiating TRS calls for the purpose of generating compensable minutes for providers.

In the Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM), the Commission seeks comment on amending the definition of TRS in section 64.601 of its rules to conform to the definition of TRS in section 225(a)(3) of the Communications Act of 1934 (Act), as this definition has been amended by the CVAA.

  • Request for Comment on Petition filed by Sprint Corporation, Inc. Regarding Access to the Internet Based Telecommunications Relay Service Numbering Directory, (Public Notice), CG Docket Nos. 10-51 and 03-123; WC Docket Nos. 05-196 and 10-191, DA 14-1249, released August 27, 2014

On January 16, 2014, Sprint Corporation (Sprint) filed a petition (Sprint Petition) requesting a limited waiver of the Federal Communications Commission’s (Commission) rule that restricts access to the Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) Numbering Directory to the TRS Numbering Administrator and Internet-based TRS providers. Specifically, Sprint requests a waiver of this rule to allow Sprint, as a provider of Federal Relay services, to load telephone numbers for its federal video relay service (VRS), including “front door” toll-free numbers and ten-digit numbers into the TRS Numbering Directory.

Sprint asserts that, because these numbers are not currently in the TRS Numbering Directory, federal employees who are deaf or hard-of-hearing and have been assigned a Federal VRS number are unable to make point-to point video calls to other deaf or hard-of-hearing federal employees. Sprint further asserts that permitting these “front door” toll-free numbers and ten-digit numbers into the database will allow deaf and hard-of-hearing federal employees to make point-to-point video calls, increase the ability of deaf and hard-of-hearing Americans to reach federal employees, and reduce the number of calls that must be supported by the Interstate TRS Fund.

  • Notice of Effective Date of Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service User Registration and Certification Rules, (Public Notice), CG Docket Nos. 13-24 and 03-123, DA 14-1265, released September 2, 2014

On August 26, 2013, the Commission released the Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service (IP CTS) Reform Order, which, among other actions, adopted rules mandating registration and certification of IP CTS users. On August 28, 2014, the rules relating to IP CTS user registration and certification adopted in the IP CTS Reform Order and contained in section 64.604(c)(9) of the Commission’s rules took effect, upon announcement in the Federal Register of approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

  • Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities; Waivers of iTRS Mandatory Minimum Standards, (Erratum), CG Docket No. 03-123, (in association with FCC 14-125), released September 11, 2014

On August 22, 2014, the Commission released a Report and Order, Order, Declaratory Ruling and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, FCC 14-125, in the above-captioned proceeding. The Erratum corrects the second sentence of paragraph 3 by replacing “VRS” with “TRS.”

  • Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities; Purple Communications, Inc.; Request for Review of Withholding of TRS Payments, (Order), CG Docket No. 03-123, DA 14-1625, adopted November 7, 2014, released November 7, 2014

In the Order, the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau grants in part and denies in part a request by Purple Communications, Inc. (Purple) for review of the Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) Fund administrator's withholding of TRS compensation because Purple's failure to handle emergency calls as required by the Commission's TRS rules.

  • Notice of Grant of Conditional Certification for Purple Communications, Inc., to Provide Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service, (Public Notice), CG Docket Nos. 03-123 and 10-51, DA 14-1627, released November 7, 2014

In the Public Notice, the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau conditionally grants the application of Purple Communications, Inc. for renewal of its certification as a provider of Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service supported by the Telecommunications Relay Services Interstate Fund.

  • Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities; Structure and Practices of the Video Relay Service Program; Purple Communications, Inc.; Application for Re-Certification as an Eligible IP-CTS, IP-Relay and Video Relay Services Provider, (Order), CG Docket Nos. 03-123 and 10-51, DA 14-1694, adopted November 21, 2014, released November 21, 2014

By the Order, the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau of the Federal Communications Commission dismisses, without prejudice, the application of Purple Communications, Inc., for certification as a provider of Internet Protocol Relay service eligible to receive compensation from the Interstate Telecommunications Relay Service Fund.

  • Request for Comment on Petition filed by Sorenson Communications, Inc., and CaptionCall, LLC, Regarding Licensing of Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service Technology, (Public Notice), CG Docket Nos. 03-123 and 13-24, DA 14-1709, released November 25, 2014

On November 19, 2014, Sorenson Communications, Inc. and CaptionCall, LLC, filed a petition seeking declaratory ruling that Ultratec, Inc., is required to offered a license to legitimate telecommunications relay service providers seeking to offer Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service at reasonable rates.

  • Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities, (Order), CG Docket No. 03-123, DA 14-1826, adopted December 12, 2014, released December 12, 2014

In the Order, the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau (1) grants Sprint Corporation (Sprint) a limited and temporary waiver of the Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC’s or Commission’s) speed-of-answer requirements for Internet Protocol Relay (IP Relay) Service retroactive to November 14, 2014 and ending on April 15, 2015; and (2) confirms that before Sprint may provide IP Relay service to consumers who had been using the IP Relay service offered by Purple Communications, Inc., Sprint shall register and verify the eligibility of each consumer in conformance with all Commission requirements for registration and verification of IP Relay service users.

  • Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities; Structure and Practices of the Video Relay Service Program; Purple Communications, Inc.; Application for Certification to Provide Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service, (Order), CG Docket Nos. 10-51 and 03-123, DA 14-1827, adopted December 12, 2014, released December 12, 2014

In the Order, the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau (CGB or Bureau) of the Federal Communications Commission, suspends, on an interim basis and until further notice, the requirement that Purple Communications, Inc. (Purple) discontinue the provision of Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service (IP CTS) through its web and wireless applications. Pursuant to a Public Notice released November 7, 2014, this requirement was imposed as a condition of the Bureau’s conditional grant of renewal of Purple’s certification as a provider of IP CTS supported by the Interstate Telecommunications Relay Services Fund.

  • Notice of Grant of Conditional Certification for CSDVRS, LLC, to Provide Video Relay Service After its Acquisition by Kinderhook Capital Fund IV, L.P., (Public Notice), CG Docket Nos. 10-51 and 03-123, DA 14-1887, released December 22, 2014

By the Public Notice, the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau (Bureau) announces that it grants conditional certification to CSDVRS, LLC (d/b/a ZVRS) to continue to provide Video Relay Service (VRS) following the consummation of the acquisition of ZVRS by Kinderhook Capital Fund IV, L.P. and its affiliate Kinderhook Capital Fund IV-B, L.P., both of which are advised by Kinderhook Industries, LLC (collectively Kinderhook). This will enable ZVRS to remain eligible to receive compensation from the Interstate Telecommunications Relay Services Fund, during the interim period pending the filing of, and Commission action on, an application for full certification by the post-merger entity. The Bureau find it to be in the public interest to permit ZVRS to provide VRS after the consummation of the acquisition of ZVRS by Kinderhook and while the Commission considers the post-merger entity’s qualifications for certification, in order to ensure uninterrupted service to the existing customers of ZVRS’s service.

  • Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities, (Order), CG Docket No. 03-123, DA 14-1899, adopted December 29, 2014, released December 29, 2014

In the Order, the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau (Bureau) adopts, based on emergency circumstances, a mid-year adjustment of the per-minute rate of compensation from the Interstate Telecommunications Relay Service Fund (TRS Fund) for the provision of Internet Protocol Relay (IP Relay) service. The adjusted rate, which is retroactive to November 14, 2014, will remain in effect until June 30, 2015, except that a higher rate applicable to monthly minutes in excess of 300,000 will terminate on May 15, 2015. The Bureau takes this action in response to the sudden termination of service by one of two IP Relay service providers on November 14, 2014. The Bureau's purpose is to ensure that the remaining provider is reasonably compensated for providing service, including service to users who migrate from the departing provider, and that IP Relay service will continue to be provided without interruption to eligible consumers, especially those who rely on IP Relay as their sole or primary source of functionally equivalent telephone service.

Bureau/Office:
Consumer and Governmental Affairs
Updated:
Wednesday, May 25, 2022