2003 TRS History

  • Notice of Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) Applications for State Certification Accepted Pleading Cycle Established for Comment on TRS Certification Applications, (Public Notice), CC Docket 98-67, DA 03-99, 18 FCC Rcd 295, released January 15, 200

Notice is hereby given that the following states have applied to the Commission for renewal of the certification of their State Telecommunications Relay Services program pursuant to Title IV of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Commission's rules: Alabama, District of Columbia, Massachusetts, Mississippi, North Dakota, Alaska, Illinois, Minnesota, New York, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Washington.

  • Notice of Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) Applications for State Certification Accepted Pleading Cycle Established for Comment on TRS Certification Applications, (Public Notice), CC Docket 98-67, DA 03-494, 18 FCC Rcd 2576, released February 24, 2003

Notice is hereby given that the following states have applied to the Commission for renewal of the certification of their State Telecommunications Relay Services program pursuant to Title IV of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Commission's rules: Texas and Virgin Islands.

  • In the Matter of Provision of Improved Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities, (Order on Reconsideration), CC Docket 98-67, FCC 03-46, 18 FCC Rcd 4761, released March 14, 2003

This order resolves two petitions for reconsideration of the Declaratory Ruling and Second Further Notice of Rulemaking addressing certain telecommunications relay service issues. It also extend the previously granted one year waivers of the emergency call handling, voice carry over and speech-to-speech TRS mandatory minimum standards for five years for IP Relay providers. The Commission granted waivers of the 900 number services and hearing carry over TRS mandatory standards for a five year period for IP Relay providers.

  • In the Matter of Petition for Declaratory Ruling that the Provision of INTELSAY Space Segment by COMSAT is not an Interstate Service for Purpose of the TRS Fund; Application for Review by COMSAT Corporation; Telecommunications Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, (Order), FCC 03-92, CC Docket No. 90-571, 18 FCC Rcd 7947, released April 24, 2003.

In this Order, the Commission grants an Application for Review filed by COMSAT Corporation, acting through its business unit COMSAT World Systems (COMSAT). The Commission finds that, because the lease of space segment capacity does not constitute a telecommunication service, COMSAT was not required to contribute to the telecommunications relay service (TRS) Fund on the basis of such services. The Commission therefore grants the application for review, and orders that COMSAT be refunded its prior TRS Fund contribution based on the provision of the leased satellite space segment capacity.

  • National Exchange Carrier Association (NECA) Submits the Payment Formula and Fund Size Estimate For Interstate Telecommunication Relay Services (TRS) Fund for July 2003 through June 2004, (Public Notice), CC Docket 98-67, DA 03-1491, 18 FCC Rcd, 9133, released May 2, 2003.

On May 1, 2003, NECA submitted the payment formula and fund size estimated for the Interstate TRS Fund for the period July 1, 2003 through June 2004. NECA proposes a carrier contribution factor of 0.0017, and a fund size requirement of $131.8 million. NECA also proposes a reimbursement rate of $1.359 for traditional TRS and for IP Relay per completed conversation minute. NECA proposes a STS reimbursement rate of $2.445 per completed conversation minute, and VRS reimbursement rate of $14.644 per completed conversation minute.

  • National Exchange Carrier Association (NECA) Amends the Payment Formula and Fund Size Estimate For Interstate Telecommunication Relay Services (TRS) Fund for July 2003 through June 2004, (Public Notice), CC Docket 98-67, DA 03-1527, 18 FCC Rcd 9471,released May 7, 2003

On May 5, 2003, NECA amended the payment formula and fund size estimate for the Interstate TRS Fund for the period July 1, 2003 through June 30, 2004, by means of an Errata to the payment formula and fund size estimate which it had originally submitted on May 1, 2003. In its Errata, NECA increased the proposed carrier contribution factor from 0.0017 to 0.00171, and the fund size requirement from $131.8 million to $132.4 million.

  • Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau Reminds States and Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) Providers that the Annual Log Summary of Consumer Complaints Concerning TRS is Due Tuesday, July 1, 2003, (Public Notice), CC Docket 98-67, DA 03-1728, 18 FCC Rcd 10461, released May 19, 2003.

The Federal Communications Commission's Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau reminds states and telecommunications relay services providers that they must submit their annual consumer complaint log summaries for the 12-month period ending May 31, 2003, on or before July 1, 2003.

  • Notice of Certification of State Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) Programs, (Public Notice), CC Docket 98-67, DA 03-1729, 18 FCC Rcd 10463, released May 19, 2003.

Notice is hereby given that the applications for certification of state TRS programs of the following states listed have been granted, subject to the condition described in the Public Notice pursuant to Title IV of the ADA and section 64.605(b) of the Commission's rules. The states are: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

  • Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau Reminds State Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) Programs And Interstate TRS Providers Of Their Obligations Regarding Contact Information And Substantive Changes In Their TRS Program, (Public Notice), CC Docket No. 98-67, DA 03-1862, 18 FCC 11277, released May 30, 2003.

This Public Notice is to remind state Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) programs that pursuant to 47 C.F.R. § 64.604(c)(2)(i) they must submit to the Commission a contact person or office for TRS consumer information and complaints about intrastate service. Similarly, interstate TRS providers are reminded that pursuant to 47 C.F.R. § 64.604(c)(2)(ii) they must submit to the Commission a contact person or office for TRS consumer information and complaints about the provider's service. The Commission also reminds state TRS programs that pursuant to 47 C.F.R. § 64.605(f) 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.

  • National Exchange Carrier Association (NECA) Petition for Interim Waiver and Rulemaking Regarding the Cost Recovery for Wireless Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) Calls, (Public Notice), CC Docket No. 98-67, DA 03-1939, 18 FCC 11547, released June 13, 2003.

On July 22, 2002, NECA, on behalf of the Interstate Telecommunications Relay Service Fund Advisory Council, filed a petition for interim waiver requesting that the Commission waive section 64.604 of its rules to the extent necessary to permit compensation from the Interstate Telecommunication Relay Service Fund to relay service providers for all TRS calls placed from wireless telecommunications devices.

  • In the Matter of Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities, (Second Report and Order, Order on Reconsideration, and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking), CC Docket No. 98-67, CG Docket No. 03-123 (NPRM), FCC 03-112, 18 FCC Rcd 12379, released June 17, 2003.

The Second Report and Order addresses issues arising from the 2000 Improved TRS Order and FNPRM, and comments received in response thereto. It also resolves petition for reconsideration filed against the 2000 Improved TRS Order. The NPRM seeks comment on technological advancements that may further the statutory goal of functionally equivalent telecommunications services for persons with hearing and speech disabilities, including comment on whether TRS facilities should have the same National Security Emergency Preparedness designation as local exchange carriers under the Telecommunications Service Priority System to ensure that persons with hearing and speech disabilities have access to telecommunications services during time of local, national, or international crisis. The Order on Reconsideration provides clarify requirements for Communication Assistants, the speed of answer requirement and clarify certain procedural matters regarding TRS-related information to improve the usability of TRS for all Americans.

  • In the Matter of Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities, (Order), CC Docket No. 98-67, DA 03-2111, 18 FCC Rcd 12823, released June 30, 2003.

On May 1, 2003, NECA, the Interstate TRS Fund Administrator, filed its annual Interstate TRS Fund Payment Formula and Fund Size Estimate for the period of July 1, 2003 to June 30, 2004. As subsequently amended, NECA proposes TRS provider compensation rates of $1.368, per-minute for interstate traditional TRS and interstate and intrastate IP Relay, $2.445 per-minute for interstate STS, and $14.023 per-minute for VRS. Based on these figures, NECA also proposes a carrier contribution factor of 0.00169 and a total fund size requirement of $130,686,169. As set forth, the Order approves, on an interim basis, the proposed TRS provider compensation rates for traditional TRS and IP Relay, as well as for STS. The Order modifies, however, the proposed TRS compensation rate for VRS by establishing and interim cost recovery rate of $7.751 per-minute. As a result, the Order also modifies the proposed carrier contribution factor and the proposed fund size, which shall be 0.00149 and $115,455,570, respectively.

  • Notice of Certification of State Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) Programs, (Public Notice), CC Docket 98-67, DA 03-2332, 18 FCC Rcd 14598, released July 16, 2003.

Notice is hereby given that the applications for certification of state TRS programs of the following states listed have been granted, subject to the condition described in the Public Notice pursuant to Title IV of the ADA and section 64.605(b) of the Commission's rules: Georgia, Kansas, New Jersey, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and South Carolina

  • Notice of Certification of State Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) Programs, (Public Notice), CC Docket 98-67, DA 03-2409, 18 FCC Rcd 15322, released July 24, 2003.

Notice is hereby given that the applications for certification of state TRS programs of the following states listed have been granted, subject to the condition described in the Public Notice pursuant to Title IV of the ADA and section 64.605(b) of the Commission's rules: Michigan and Puerto Rico

  • FCC Recognizes Ten Years of Nationwide Provision of Telecommunication Relay Services and Certifies as Compliant The State TRS Programs of All 50 States, (News Release), CC Docket 98-67, released July 25, 2003.

On July 25, 2003, The FCC recognizes ten years of nationwide provision of TRS. TRS enables individuals with hearing or speech disabilities to utilize the telephone system and communicate with persons without such disabilities

  • In the Matter of Telecommunications Relay Services, and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities, (Declaratory Ruling), CC Docket 98-67, FCC 03-190, 18 FCC Rcd 16121, released August 1, 2003.

The Commission address a Petition for Clarification filed by Ultratec, Inc. on April 12, 2002. Ultratec explains that it seeks implementation of a captioned telephone service, which it call CapTel, as an "enhanced voice carry over service, and requests that the Commission clarify that this service is a TRS and eligible for reimbursement from the Interstate TRS Fund under the TRS rules.

  • Petition for Reconsideration Regarding the Video Relay Service (VRS) Interim Per-Minute Compensation Rate, (Public Notice), CC Docket 98-67, DA 03-2628, 18 FCC Rcd 16396, released August 11, 2003.

On July 30, 2003, AT&T Corporation, Communication Services for the Deaf, Inc., Hands On Video Relay Services, Inc., Sorenson Media, Inc., and Sprint Corporation filed Petitions for Reconsideration of the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau's June 30, 2003 Order setting forth, in part, an interim per-minute compensation rate for video relay service of $7.751.

  • Sprint Petition for Declaratory Ruling Regarding TRS Access to 900 Pay-Per-Call Services via 711, (Public Notice), CC Docket 98-67, DA 03-2629, 18 FCC Rcd 16399, released August 11, 2003.

On May 27, 2003, Sprint Corporation filed a Petition for Declaratory Ruling requesting that the Commission declare that Sprint's provision of 900 pay-per-call services to end users who access Sprint's relay centers by dialing 711 fully satisfies the requirement that such services be offered by relay providers.

  • Communication Services for the Deaf (CSD) Petition for Limited Waiver and Request for Expedited Relief Regarding the Provision of Video Relay Services (VRS) for Depositions and other Legal Proceedings, (Public Notice), CC Docket 98-67, DA 03-2644, 18 FCC Rcd 16435, released August 13, 2003.

On June 12, 2003, CSD filed a petition for limited waiver and request for expedited relief requesting that the Commission waive section 64.604(a)(3) of its rules to the extent necessary to permit communications assistants to deny calls in the limited situation that involves depositions or legal proceedings that are initiated between parties located in two separate and remote locations.

  • Dates set for Comments on Telecommunications Relay Services Second Report and Order, Order on Reconsideration, and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, (News Release), CG Docket 03-123, released August 27, 2003.

On June 17, 2003, the FCC released a TRS 2nd R&O, Order on Reconsideration and NPRM FCC 03-112, seeking comment on various matters, including the applicability of certain technological advances to TRS, to further the goal of functional equivalency of TRS for persons with hearing and speech disabilities. The NPRM was published in the Federal Register on August 25, 2003 (68 FR 50993). Therefore, comments are due on September 24, 2003, and reply comments are due on October 9, 2003.

  • Hamilton Relay, Inc. and Hands On Video Relay Service, Inc. Petitions for Waiver Extension, Permanent Waiver, and Clarification of Video Relay Service Requirement, (Public Notice), CC Docket 98-67, DA 03-3036, 18 FCC Rcd 20,049, released October 6, 2003.

This Public Notice seeks public comment on petitions filed for an extension of video relay service (VRS) waivers, a request for permanent waiver of the requirements regarding equal access to interexchange carriers, and clarification that VRS providers are not required to provide speech-to-speech (STS), Spanish relay services, and the application of certain TRS mandatory minimum standards to VRS.

  • AT&T Corp. and Verizon File Petitions for Reconsideration of Telecommunications Relay Service Requirements from the Second Improved TRS Order & NPRM, FCC 03-112, (Public Notice), CC Docket 98-67, CG 03-123, DA 03-3109, 18 FCC Rcd 20,258, released October 8, 2003.

This Public Notice seeks public comment on petitions filed for reconsideration of certain rules adopted by the Commission in the Second Improved TRS Order & NPRM. The petitions request that the Commission waive and reconsider its rules regarding the emergency call handling of TRS calls, and that the Commission waive its rules regarding three-way call processing at telecommunications relay centers.

  • Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Reporting Requirement for Internet Protocol (IP) Relay Providers Approved by the Office of Management and Budget, (Public Notice), CC Docket 98-67, DA 03-3181, 18 FCC Rcd 21,025, released October 15, 2003.

OMB has approved for three years the annual reporting requirement for IP Relay providers to submit a report to the FCC detailing the technical developments that have occurred to enable IP Relay providers to meet the TRS mandatory minimum standards waived in the Order on Reconsideration, FCC 03-46, released March 14, 2003.

  • In the Matter of Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities, (Order), CC Docket 98-67, DA 03-4029, 18 FCC Rcd 26,309, released December 19, 2003.

On December 31, 2001, the Wireline Competition Bureau released the TRS Waiver Order granting Video Relay Service (VRS) providers a two year waiver of certain telecommunications relay services (TRS) mandatory minimum standards. The waivers were for (1) types of calls that must be handled; (2) emergency call handling; (3) speed of answer; (4) equal access to inter-exchange carrier; and (5) pay-per-call services. These waivers expire on December 31, 2003. The Bureau therefore grants VRS providers a six-month extension of the waivers previously granted in the TRS Waiver Order. The waivers will expire on June 30, 2004 or upon the release of a further order addressing these waivers, whichever comes first.

Bureau/Office:
Consumer and Governmental Affairs