“This page is a digitally archived AccessInfo Announcement”
On December 15, 2016, the FCC adopted rules to facilitate a transition from text telephony (TTY) technology to real-time text (RTT) technology.
In the Report and Order, the FCC:
• Permits wireless service providers and handset manufacturers to support RTT in lieu of TTY technology;
• Ensures RTT users will be able to call 911 for emergency services and 711 for relay services;
• Defines RTT to be interoperable across networks and devices and backward compatible with TTYs; and
• Establishes a phased rollout of RTT for wireless networks from December 31, 2017 to June 2021.
In the accompanying Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM), the FCC seeks comment on:
• A timeline to sunset its requirement for RTT to be backward compatible with TTY;
• Integration of RTT into telecommunications relay service operations, and
• Real-time text features that may be needed for people with cognitive disabilities and people who are deaf-blind.
We will announce the public comment due dates for the FNPRM when these become available.
News Release: https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-adopts-real-time-text-services-americans-disabilities
Word: https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-342624A1.docx
PDF: https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-342624A1.pdf
Text: https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-342624A1.txt
Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: https://www.fcc.gov/document/adoption-real-time-text-rtt-rules
Word: https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-16-169A1.doc
PDF: https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-16-169A1.pdf
Text: https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-16-169A1.txt
For more information about RTT, please contact Michael Scott at 202-418-1264 or email Michael.Scott@fcc.gov, or Suzy Rosen Singleton at 202-510-9446 or email Suzanne.Singleton@fcc.gov.