IP captioned telephones; hearing aid
compatibility; VRS emergency access; Hands On certification
Consumer Contact List
From: Karen Peltz Strauss
Re: Consumer Contact List: IP captioned telephone;
hearing aid compatibility; VRS emergency access; Hands On certification
Date: January 2, 2007
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE! I hope you all had wonderful holidays! Lots occurred at the end of
last year, as reported below:
1. FCC approves an IP version of
captioned telephone relay service. On December 20, 2006, the FCC agreed that captioned telephone
services provided over the Internet should be eligible for compensation from
the Interstate TRS Fund. The FCC explained: "IP CTS will benefit consumers
by giving them the flexibility of using a computer, PDA, or wireless device
to make such a call, without having to purchase special telephone equipment.
In addition, captions provided on a computer screen can accommodate a much
wider group of individuals, including persons with low vision, because they
can take advantage of the large text, variable fonts, and variable colors
that are available." The order is linked below, along with several
statements from the FCC Commissioners.
INTERNET PROTOCOL CAPTIONED
TELEPHONE SERVICE ELIGIBLE FOR COMPENSATION FROM INTERSTATE TRS FUND. Adopted Declaratory Ruling
finding that IP captioned telephone service is
a type of telecommunications relay service
eligible for compensation from the Interstate TRS Fund. News Release.
Adopted: 12/20/2006. News Media Contact: Rosemary
Kimball at
202-418-0511; email: Rosemary.Kimball@fcc.gov CGB. Contact Thomas
Chandler at (202) 418-1475
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-269113A1.doc>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-269113A2.doc>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-269113A3.doc>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-269113A4.doc>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-269113A5.doc>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-269113A6.doc>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-269113A1.pdf>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-269113A2.pdf>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-269113A3.pdf>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-269113A4.pdf>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-269113A5.pdf>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-269113A6.pdf>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-269113A1.txt>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-269113A2.txt>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-269113A3.txt>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-269113A4.txt>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-269113A5.txt>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-269113A6.txt>
2. FCC extends deadline for comments on hearing aid
compatibility. The FCC has extended the deadline for filing comments on the
obligations of wireless handset manufacturers to make their phones hearing
aid compatible. The new deadline for comments is January 12, 2007; replies
are due on January 31, 2007. Below is a description of this item, contained
in a prior Consumer Contact List message:
On August 13, 2003, the FCC adopted various requirements for
digital wireless handsets to be hearing aid compatible (HAC). At that time, the FCC required manufacturers and wireless carriers to
periodically report to the FCC on their levels of compliance. In addition,
the Commission promised that 3 years after the Order became effective, its
staff would prepare a report examining 3 things: (1) the impact that the
rules have had in achieving HAC compatibility with digital wireless phones;
(2) the development of new technologies that could achieve greater or more
efficient wireless telecommunications access for hearing aid users; and (3)
the Order's impact on cochlear implant and middle ear implant users and
their ability to use digital wireless phones. On November 8, 2006, the
Wireless Telecommunications Bureau released a Public Notice (attached)
seeking public comment on these issues, to enable the bureau to prepare the
report to the full Commission. The FCC will use the report to determine
whether to take the following 3 actions: (1) increase or decrease the 2008
requirement for 50% of phone models to comply with a U3 rating; (2) adopt
additional HAC implementation benchmarks after 2008; and (3) modify other
HAC requirements.
Released: 12/12/2006. WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUREAU GRANTS
MOTION FOR EXTENSION OF TIME TO FILE COMMENTS AND REPLY COMMENTS ON TOPICS
TO BE ADDRESSED IN HEARING AID COMPATIBILITY REPORT. (DA No. 06-2498). (Dkt
No 06-203). Comments Due: 01/12/2007. Reply Comments Due: 01/31/2007. WTB.
Contact: Christina Clearwater or Peter Trachtenberg at (202) 418-1310 <http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-2498A1.doc>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-2498A1.pdf>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-2498A1.txt>
3. FCC extends waiver on emergency access by video relay service
(VRS) providers.
The FCC has extended, for one additional year, the waiver given to VRS
providers to handle emergency calls. Under the FCC's telecommunications
relay service rules, relay providers must immediately and automatically
transfer calls to public safety answering points (PSAPs, more commonly known
as 911 emergency centers). The FCC has explained that, at present, this is
not technologically feasible for VRS providers. The waiver will now expire
on January 1, 2008. The order is linked below.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS RELAY SERVICES AND SPEECH-TO-SPEECH SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH HEARING AND SPEECH DISABILITIES.
Extended the waiver for one year in view of
these continued technological challenges. (Dkt No. 03-123). Action by: Chief, Consumer &
Governmental Affairs Bureau.
Adopted: 12/15/2006 by ORDER. (DA No. 06-2532). CGB
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-2532A1.doc>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-2532A1.pdf>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-2532A1.txt>
4. Hands On VRS granted certification as a VRS and IP relay
provider. On December 22, 2006, the FCC released an order approving Hands
On VRS to provide VRS and IP relay service. Last year (on December 12,
2005), the Commission had released an order notifying carriers that they
were now permitted to seek certification to offer IP Relay and/or VRS
services and receive payment from the Interstate TRS Fund. Hands On
submitted its application for such certification on October 4, 2006, and has
now been granted such certification.
Released: 12/22/2006. NOTICE OF CERTIFICATION OF HANDS ON VIDEO RELAY SERVICES, INC. AS A PROVIDER OF INTERNET PROTOCOL
RELAY (IP RELAY) AND VIDEO RELAY SERVICE
(VRS) ELIGIBLE FOR COMPENSATION FROM THE INTERSTATE TELECOMMUNICATIONS RELAY SERVICE (TRS) FUND. (DA No.
06-2578). (Dkt No
03-123). CGB. Contact: Gregory Hlibok at (800)
311-4381, email:
Gregory.Hlibok@fcc.gov, TTY: (202) 418-0431
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-2578A1.doc>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-2578A1.pdf>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-2578A1.txt>
Back to home page |