Petition on Interoperability; 3-Way Calling Order; Speed of Answer

To: Consumer Contact List
From: Karen Peltz Strauss, RERC-TA
Re: Consumer Contact List - Petition on Interoperability; 3-Way Calling Order; TV Station Forfeitures; Speed of Answer
Date: March 2, 2005

1. Petition on VRS Interoperability: The FCC has now released for public comment a petition to require all video relay service providers to make their services interoperable with one another. This would enable any VRS user using any type of VRS equipment to access any provider through that equipment. The dates on which comments will be due have not yet been set. The notice about the petition can be found by clicking on the links below, and I have an electronic copy of the petition for anyone who would like to receive it.

Released: 03/01/2005. PETITION FOR DECLARATORY RULING FILED BY THE
CALIFORNIA COALITION OF AGENCIES SERVING THE DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING (CCASDHH) CONCERNING VIDEO RELAY SERVICE (VRS) INTEROPERABILITY. (DA No. 05-509). (Dkt No 98-67, 03-123) Pleading Cycle
Established. CGB.

Contact: Dana Jackson at (202) 418-2247, email: Dana.Jackson@fcc.gov, TTY: (202) 418-7898
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-05-509A1.doc>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-05-509A1.pdf>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-05-509A1.txt>

2. Three-way TRS Calling - The FCC has eliminated the waiver for three way calling over TRS, but has made clear that this requirement may be fulfilled by a provider's simply handling three-way calls, regardless of the manner in which these calls are set up (by the parties or by the TRS provider). A link to the ruling is listed below.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS RELAY SERVICES AND SPEECH-TO-SPEECH SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH HEARING AND SPEECH DISABILITIES. Addressed the current waiver of the telecommunications relay services (TRS) requirement that TRS providers (including providers of captioned telephone service) offer three-way calling functionality as a TRS mandatory minimum standard. (Dkt No. 98-67, 03-123). Action by: Chief, Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau.
Adopted: 02/17/2005 by ORDER. (DA No. 05-447). CGB
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-05-447A1.doc>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-05-447A1.pdf>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-05-447A1.txt>

3. Forfeitures Assessed for Failure of TV Stations to Provide Visual Access in an Emergency: The FCC has, for the first time in its history, assessed fines for the failure of three stations in San Diego, California, to provide visual access (i.e., captions) to their television programming on the San Diego fires. The three orders describing the reasons for these forfeitures can be found at the links below, as is a statement by FCC Chairman Powell supporting this action.

MIDWEST TELEVISION, INC. Notified Midwest Television, Inc. of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture in the amount of $20,000 for failure to provide persons with hearing disabilities timely access to the same emergency information it provided to its hearing audience.
Action by: Chief, Enforcement Bureau. Adopted: 02/22/2005 by NALF. (DA No. 05-455). EB
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-05-455A1.doc>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-05-455A1.pdf>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-05-455A1.txt>

CHANNEL 51 OF SAN DIEGO, INC. Notified Channel 51 of San Diego, Inc. of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture in the amount of $25,000 for failure to provide persons with hearing disabilities timely access to the same emergency information it provided to its hearing audience.
Action by: Chief, Enforcement Bureau. Adopted: 02/22/2005 by NALF. (DA No. 05-456). EB
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-05-456A1.doc>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-05-456A1.pdf>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-05-456A1.txt>

MCGRAW-HILL BROADCASTING COMPANY, INC. Notified McGraw-Hill Broadcasting Company, Inc. of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture in the amount of $20,000 for failure to provide persons with hearing disabilities timely access to the same emergency information it provided to its hearing audience. Action by: Chief, Enforcement Bureau. Adopted:
02/22/2005 by NALF. (DA No. 05-457). EB
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-05-457A1.doc>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-05-457A1.pdf>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-05-457A1.txt>

STATEMENT OF CHAIRMAN POWELL ON THREE PROPOSED FORFEITURES FOR VIOLATION OF COMMISSION CLOSED CAPTIONING RULES. STMT. News Media Contact: David Fiske at (202) 418-0513 OCH
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-256935A1.doc>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-256935A1.pdf>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-256935A1.txt>

4. VRS Speed of Answer: Reminder: March 4, 2005 is the date by which reply comments are due on the FCC's speed of answer inquiry pertaining to video relay services. This inquiry asks for feedback on how quickly video relay service calls should be answered.

Released: 02/08/2005. FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION SEEKS
ADDITIONAL COMMENT ON THE SPEED OF ANSWER REQUIREMENT FOR VIDEO RELAY SERVICE (VRS). (DA No. 05-339). (Dkt No 98-67, 03-123) Pleading Cycle Established. Comments Due: 02/25/2005. Reply Comments Due: 03/04/2005.

CGB. Contact: Gregory Hlibok, e-mail: Gregory.Hlibok@fcc.gov, TTY: (202) 418-0431
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-05-339A1.doc>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-05-339A1.pdf>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-05-339A1.txt>
This page last updated:March 3, 2005

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