On November 3, 2015, the Commission released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) proposing to temporarily freeze certain video relay service (VRS) rates. The NPRM also seeks comment on the following measures to enhance VRS: (1) impose a stricter speed‐of‐answer standard; (2) adopt a limited trial of “skills‐based routing”; (3) authorize providers to use qualified deaf sign language interpreters; (4) authorize the use of at‐home interpreters under certain conditions; and (5) permit the assignment of ten digit numbers for video phones used by hearing individuals.
Comment due dates will be announced when they are set by publishing the NPRM in the Federal Register. The following are links to the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking:
URL: https://www.fcc.gov/document/video‐relay‐service‐compensation‐rates‐and‐service‐improvements