2000-2001 TRS History

  • In the Matter of 1998 Biennial Regulatory Review - Streamlined Contributor Reporting requirements Associated with Administration of Telecommunications Relay Services, North American Numbering Plan, Local Number Portability, and Universal Service Support Mechanisms, (Order), CC Docket 98-171, DA 00-214, 1999 15 FCC Rcd 15658, released February 4, 2000

The Bureau provides for the filing of the April 2000 Telecommunications Reporting Worksheet collecting revenue data for 1.) TRS Fund, 2.) cost recovery mechanism for numbering administration, 3.) cost recovery mechanism for local number portability, and 4.) universal service support mechanisms.

On February 17, 2000, the FCC amended its rules governing the delivery of TRS to expand the kind of relay services available to consumers with hearing and speech disabilities and to improve the quality of relay services.

  • In the Matter of Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities, (Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking), CC Docket 98-67, FCC No. 00-56, 15 FCC Rcd 5140 (2000), 65 FR 40093, released March 6, 2000

This Order expands the types of relay service offerings available to consumers and adopts new rules to improve the quality of TRS. In addition, this FNPRM continues to seek comments on the proposed new technologies.

  • In the Matter of 1998 Biennial Regulatory Review - Streamlined Contributor Reporting requirements Associated with Administration of Telecommunications Relay Services, North American Numbering Plan, Local Number Portability, and Universal Service Support Mechanisms, (Order on Reconsideration), CC Docket 98-171, FCC 00-118, 15 FCC Rcd 12050, released April 11, 2000.

Denying challenges to the inclusion of universal service contribution in reporting.

  • Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) Fund Administrator Files Annual Report Including Fund Size Estimated and Payment Formula for July 2000 through June 2001, (Public Notice), CC Docket 90-571, released May 18, 2000 No. 99320 *(No DA number assigned)

The TRS Fund Administrator, NECA, filed its annual report with the Commission that includes the payment formula and the Fund size estimate for the period July 1, 2000 through June 1, 2001.

  • In the Matter of Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities, (Order on Reconsideration), CC Docket 98-67, FCC No. 00-200, 16 FCC Rcd 4054, released June 5, 2000.

This Order on Reconsideration amends and clarifies the Commission's rules that aim to expand the types of relay service offerings available to consumers and improve the quality of TRS service.

  • In the Matter of Telecommunications Services for Individuals with hearing and Speech Disabilities and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (Fund Administration Fund Size Estimated and Payment Formula, July 2000 through June 2001, (Order), CC Docket 90-571; Administration of the North American Numbering Plan and North American Numbering Plan Cost Recovery Contribution Factor and Fund Size, CC Docket No. 92-237, NSD File No. L-00-72, DA 00-1433, 15 FCC Rcd 11384 (2000), released June 28, 2000 ERRATA ATTACHED.

This Order approves the Fiscal Year 2000 interstate TRS cost recovery factor submitted by NECA and the revised Fiscal Year 1999 North American Numbering Plan Administration (NANPA) cost recovery factor submitted by the North American Billing and Collection Agent. Effective July 1, 2000 through June 30, 2001 the interstate TRS cost recovery factor will be 0.00073 and the revised NANPA factor will be 0.00043.

  • FCC Mandates Nationwide Implementation of 711 Access to Telecommunications (TRS) Adopted rules and guidelines that will make it easier for consumers to access and use relay service, (News Release), CC Docket 98-67, released July 21, 2000.

On July 17, 2000, the FCC required all telecommunications carriers nationwide to implement three-digit, 711, dialing for access to all TRS. This new dialing arrangement will supplement existing systems in most states that require 7 or 10 digit numbers in order to initiate relay calls.

  • In the Matter of 1998 Biennial Regulatory Review - Streamlined Contributor Reporting requirements Associated with Administration of Telecommunications Relay Services, North American Numbering Plan, Local Number Portability, and Universal Service Support Mechanisms, (Order), CC Docket 98-171, DA 00-1736, 15 FCC Rcd 23470, released August 1, 2000.

This Order directs the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) to be responsible for administration, processing, and management of future filings of the Telecommunications Reporting Worksheet and for the distribution of essential contributor revenue data.

  • In the Matter of the Use of N11 Codes and Other Abbreviated Dialing Arrangements, (Second Report and Order), CC Docket No. 92-105, FCC 00-257, 15 FCC Rcd 15188, released August 9, 2000.

The Commission requires the implementation of 711 for access to TRS. Implementation must be complete by October 1, 2001.

  • In the Matter of the Use of N11 Codes and Other Abbreviated Dialing Arrangements, (Errata), CC Docket No. 92-105, FCC 00-257, 15 FCC Rcd 15229, released August 21, 2000

The Commission makes changes to errors in the 2nd Order.

  • In the Matter of Telecommunications Relay Services and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, (2000 Suspension Order), CC Docket 90-571, DA 00-1911, 15 FCC Rcd 15823, released August 23, 2000.

This Order extended the suspension of the coin sent-paid requirement for an additional nine months, until May 26, 2001.

  • Interstate TRS Fund Advisory Council and TRS Fund Administrator's Recommended TRS Cost Recovery Guideline, (Public Notice) Pleading Cycle Established, CC Docket 98-67, DA 00-2739, 15 FCC Rcd 23987, released December 6, 2000.

This Public Notice seeks comments on the TRS cost recovery guidelines recommended by the TRS Advisory Council and Fund Administrator. The recommendations propose methodologies for recovering cost associated with the provision of traditional TRS, STS, and VRS services, by applying the traditional TRS cost recovery model to each service, but, specifically, capturing minutes of actual use and costs separately and establishing separate reimbursement rates for STS and VRS services.

  • Supplemental Submission Concerning the Payment Formula and Fund Size Estimate For Interstate Telecommunications Relay Services Fund for July 2000 through June 2001, (Public Notice), CC Docket 90-571, DA 00-2740, 15 FCC Rcd 23989, released December 6, 2000.

This Public Notice seeks comments on NECA's proposal to increase the traditional TRS and VRS reimbursement rates. It recommends increasing the traditional TRS rate from $1.282 to $1.328 per completed interstate conversation minute for the six-month period, from January 1, 2001 through June 30, 2001. It also recommends increasing the VRS rate from $5.143 to $5.539 per completed minute, effective October 2000 through June 30, 2001.

  • In the Matter of Telecommunications Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (Fund Administration, Fund Size Estimate and Payment Formula, July 2000 through June 2001), (Order), CC Docket No. 90-571, DA 01-490, 16 FCC Rcd 4651, released February 22, 2001.

NECA filed a Supplemental Submission for the TRS Fund for the period from July 2000 through June 2001. NECA proposed a modification of certain TRS-related compensation rates and size of the reserve for uncollectible and additional providers' costs. In the Supplemental Submission NECA proposes to increase the traditional TRS rate from $1.282 to $1.328 per completed interstate minute for the period of January 1, 2001 through June 30, 2001. It further proposes to increase the VRS rate from $5.143 to $5.539 per completed VRS minute, effective October 1, 2000 through June 30, 2001. No changes to the currently approved STS rate of $4.623 per-minute, the current fund requirement level of $58.6 million, or the carrier contribution factor of 0.00073 are sought. To offset the higher expenditures, NECA also recommends that the allowance for uncollectibles and additional providers' costs be reduced from 10 percent to 7.152 percent. In this Order, Commission finds that NECA's proposed compensation rates are justified and thus required NECA to compensate relay providers at the proposed rates. Commission also finds that the current funding level is adequate and that no change in the carrier contribution factor is warranted.

  • 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 01-492, 16 FCC Rcd 4662, released February 23, 2001.

This Order resolves seven petitions seeking temporary waivers of certain requirements established in the Improved TRS Order, including the collection of cost justification information, service quality standards, and emergency call requirements.

  • Two Major FCC Consumer Initiatives to Begin March 1, (News Release), released February 28, 2001.

Starting March 1, 2001, the FCC is requiring telephone companies to provide speech-to-speech relay service.

  • In the Matter of Telecommunications Relay Services and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, (Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Coin-Sent Paid), CC Docket 90-571, FCC No. 01-89, 16 FCC Rcd 5803, released March 16, 2001.

This Notice again seeks a means by which individuals with hearing and speech disabilities will be able to make calls from coin-sent paid phones.

  • In the Matter of Telecommunications Services For Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, (Notice of Proposed Rule Making), CC Docket 90-571, FCC 01-145, 16 FCC Rcd 9892, released May 8, 2001[ERRATUM IS ATTACHED, 16 FCC Rcd 9921, released June 13, 2001].

This Notice seeks comments on how to streamline and reform both the manner in which the Commission assesses carrier contributions to the universal service fund, and the manner in which carriers may recover those costs from their customers. Comments are also sought on, specific proposals to require carriers to contribute based on a percentage of collected charge.

  • National Exchange Carrier Association (NECA) Submits the Payment Formula and Fund Size Estimate for Interstate Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) Fund for July 2001 through June 2002, (Public Notice), CC Docket 90-571, NSD File No. L-01-97, DA 01-1214, 16 FCC Rcd 10741, released May 15, 2001.

NECA submitted the payment formula and fund size estimate for TRS Fund for the period from July 2001 through June 2002. NECA proposed a carrier contribution factor of 0.00073, and a fund size requirement of $59.4 million. NECA also proposed a reimbursement rate for traditional TRS of $1.309 per completed interstate conversation minute, a STS reimbursement of $2.62 per completed interstate conversation minute, and a VRS reimbursement rate of $7.449 per completed interstate or intrastate conversation minute.

  • Disabilities Rights Office Reminds States that Annual Log Summary of Consumer Complaints Concerning Telecommunications Relay Services is Due Monday, July 2, 2001, (Public Notice), CC Docket 98-67, DA 01-1341, 16 FCC Rcd 11862, released June 6, 2001.

The Disabilities Rights Office reminds states and TRS providers that they must submit their annual consumer complaint log summaries for the 12-month period ending May 31, 2001.

  • In the Matter of Telecommunications Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (Fund Administration, Fund Size Estimate and Payment Formula, July 2001through June 2002), (Order), CC Docket 90-571, DA 01-1502, 16 FCC Rcd 12895, released June 27, 2001.

The Commission approves the Fiscal Year 2001 interstate TRS cost recovery factor submitted by NECA. Effective July 1, 2001 through June 30, 2002, the interstate TRS cost recovery factor will be 0.00073. The Commission also approves NECA's proposed fund size and provider reimbursement rates.

  • Consumer Information Bureau Seeks Additional Comment on the Provision of Improved Telecommunications Relay Service, (Public Notice), CC Docket 98-67, DA 01-1555, 16 FCC Rcd 13100, released June 29, 2001.

The Bureau solicits additional comments on the provision of improved TRS.

  • Common Carrier Bureau Seeks Comment on Request for Temporary Waiver of Video Relay Service Requirements, (Public Notice), CC Docket 98-67, DA 01-1706, 16 FCC Rcd 13984, released July 16, 2001.

The Common Carrier Bureau solicits comments on the waiver requests filed by Hamilton Telephone Company and Sprint Communications, which sought waiver of certain mandatory minimum requirements for providing VRS service.

  • FCC to Convene a Public Forum and Technology Expo on Telecommunications Relay Services, (Public Notice), CC Docket 98-67, DA 01-1969, 16 FCC Rcd 15690, released August 20, 2001.

The Commission announces a Public Forum and Technology Expo on TRS scheduled for October 1, 2001.

  • Common Carrier Bureau Seeks Comment on the Petition for Waiver of 711 Implementation Rules Filed by Centurytel, Inc., (Public Notice), CC Docket No. 92-105, DA 01-1994, 16 FCC Rcd 15774, released August 24, 2001.

Notice of a Petition filed by Centurytel Inc., to waive 711 rules for 15 switches that cannot be upgraded to handle 711 calls by the October 1, 2001 deadline. Pleading cycle established.

  • Common Carrier Bureau Grants Centurytel, Inc. Motion to Withdraw Petition for Waiver of 711 Implementation Rules, (Public Notice), CC Docket No. 92-105, DA 01-2204, 16 FCC Rcd 16926, released September 21, 2001.

After filing its petition for waiver, Centurytel hired a consultant that was able to modify the 15 switches to handle 711 calls.

  • October 1 Begins New Era of Telephone Access: 711 Will Permit Easy Nationwide Access to Relay Services, (Press Release), 2001 WL 1117312, released September 25, 2001.

Press Release announcing the October 1, 2001 beginning of the nationwide implementation of 711 for TRS.

  • Postponement of FCC's Public Forum and Technology Expo on Telecommunication Relay Services, (Public Notice), CC Docket 98-67, DA 01-2247, 16 FCC Rcd 17145, released September 27, 2001.

The Commission postpones Public Forum and Technology Expo on TRS was scheduled for October 1, 2001.

  • In the Matter of Regionet Wireless Licensee, LLC Request for Partial Waiver of 711 Dialing Code Requirement, (Memorandum Opinion and Order), CC Docket No. 92-105, DA 01-2265, 16 FCC Rcd 17618, released September 28, 2001.

The Wireless Bureau grants a partial waiver of 711 requirements insofar as they apply to the Automated Maritime Telecommunications System (AMTS) service used on board its commercial vessels. The waiver was granted due to the unique and unusual factual circumstances of the instant case, and is limited to the commercial vessels that use AMTS.

  • Consumer Information Bureau Telecommunications Manufacturers and Services Providers of OMB Approval of Collection of Point of Contact Public Information for Section 255 Covered Entities, (Public Notice), WTB Docket 98-198, DA 01-2730, 16 FCC Rcd 22,362, released December 19, 2001.

In December 2001, the Commission informs telecommunications manufacturers and service providers who are covered entities under Section 255 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, that the Office of Management and Budget approved information collections contained in Sections 6.18 and 7.18 of the Commission's rules on October 29, 2001.

  • In the Matter of Telecommunications Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities - Recommended TRS Cost Recovery Guidelines/Request by Hamilton Telephone Company for Clarification and Temporary Waivers, (Memorandum Opinion and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking), CC Docket 98-67, 16 FCC Rcd 22948, FCC 01-371, released December 21, 2001.

The MO&O addresses cost recovery methods for improved traditional TRS, STS, and VRS services. It also clarifies the requirements for VRS service. The FNPRM seeks additional comments on the appropriate cost recovery mechanisms for VRS.

  • 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 01-3029, 17 FCC Rcd 157, released December 31, 2001.

The Order responds to two temporary waiver requests of certain mandatory minimum requirements in providing TRS.

Bureau/Office:
Consumer and Governmental Affairs