“This page is a digitally archived AccessInfo Announcement”

On March 23, 2017, the FCC adopted an item to improve the quality and efficiency of video relay service. Except as noted below, the Report and Order and final rules become effective May 15, 2017.

The skills-based routing and deaf-interpreter trials will commence on August 1, 2017 and terminate March 31, 2018.

The pilot program for at-home VRS call handling will commence on November 1, 2017 and end on November 1, 2018.

Certain amendments to the Commission’s rules are subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, and shall become effective upon publication in the Federal Register of a notice announcing the approval by the Office of Management and Budget and an effective date.  These rules include the assignment of iTRS numbers to hearing people.

Comments addressing the following issues must be filed on or before April 24, 2017, and reply comments must be filed on or before May 4, 2017:

  • VRS compensation rates
  • Server-based routing
  • Research and development

Comments addressing the following issues must be filed on or before May 30, 2017, and reply comment must be filed on or before June 26, 2017:

  • Performance goals and service quality metrics
  • The incidence and handling of  "phony'' VRS calls
  • VRS use of enterprise and public videophones
  • Direct video calling customer support services
  • Per-call validation procedures
  • Non-service related inducements
  • Non-compete provisions in VRS employment contracts

Comments must be filed in CG Docket Nos. 10-51 and 03-123, which may be accessed via the Electronic Comment Filing System (https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/).

The following are links to the Public Notice:
Word: https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-17-360A1.docx
PDF: https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-17-360A1.pdf
Text: https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-17-360A1.txt

The following are links to the Report and Order, Notice of Inquiry, Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, and Order:
Word:  https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-17-26A1.docx
PDF:  https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-17-26A1.pdf
Text:  https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-17-26A1.txt

For further information regarding this proceeding, please contact Bob Aldrich, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, (202) 418-0996 or email Robert.Aldrich@fcc.gov or Eliot Greenwald, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, (202) 418-2235 or email Eliot.Greenwald@fcc.gov. For those using videophones and fluent in American Sign Language, you may call the FCC’s ASL Consumer Support Line at 844-432-2275 (videophone).

Updated:
Friday, October 25, 2019