The Commission grants Snap Telecommunications, Inc.'s (Snap) and Verizon's request for a temporary waiver of the speed dialing requirement for Video Relay Service (VRS). Consequently, the Commission extends the waiver of the speed dialing requirement for VRS providers through April 30, 2008.

Notice is hereby given that the states listed below have applied to the Commission for renewal of the certification of their State Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) program pursuant to Title IV of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), 47 U.S.C. § 225, and the Commission's rules, 47 C.F.R. §§ 64.601-605. Current state certifications expire July 25, 2008. Applications for certification, covering the five year period from July 26, 2008 to July 25, 2013, must demonstrate that the state TRS program complies with Section 225 and the Commission's rules governing the provision of TRS. The notice seeks public comment on the following state applications for certification, which can be found on the Commission's website at http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/dro/trs_by_state.html:

Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Saipan, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

The Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau seeks comment on Hawk Relay, LLC's December 21, 2007 Request for Clarification that Internet Protocol Speech-to-Speech Relay Service (IP STS) is a form of TRS eligible for compensation from the Interstate TRS Fund. In addition, assuming that IP STS qualifies as a TRS under section 225(a)(3) of the Communications Act of 1934, the Bureau seeks comment on the jurisdictional separation of cost, the applicability of the TRS mandatory minimum standards, and on any other issues relevant to the provision of IP STS.

The Order adopts a revised Interstate Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) Fund size and carrier contribution factor for the July 2007 to June 2008 Fund year. As set forth, the revised Fund size is $636,736,491.75, and the revised carrier contribution factor is 0.00819.

The Order grants a request to stay the effectiveness of paragraph 95 and 96 of the 2007 TRS Cost Recovery Declaratory Ruling, which restrict telecommunications relay service (TRS) providers from using consumer or call databases to contact TRS users. For the reasons set forth herein, the Commission finds that good cause has been shown to stay the effectiveness of these paragraphs for 90 days, starting the date of release of the Order, pending further Commission review.

In the January 2007 IP CTS Declaratory Ruling, the Commission recognized Internet Protocol (IP) captioned telephone service (IP CTS) as a form of telecommunications relay service (TRS) eligible for compensation from the Interstate TRS Fund (Fund). Because the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau (CGB) has received questions concerning the manner in which IP CTS providers may be eligible for compensation from the Fund, CGB issues this clarification. To establish such eligibility, IP CTS providers must either: (1) seek certification from the Commission pursuant to 47 C.F.R. § 64.605; (2) become part of a certified state program; or (3) subcontract with an entity that is part of a certified state program. CGB also clarifies that an IP CTS provider seeking compensation from the Fund must notify the Interstate TRS Fund administrator 30 days prior to the date they submit minutes for payment.

By this Public Notice, the Commission seeks to refresh the record on the numbering issue identified in the Interoperability FNPRM, which was released on May 9, 2006, regarding feasibility of establishment of a ten-digit telephone numbering system for Video Relay Service. Specifically, the Commission seeks to ensure that the record reflects current viewpoints and any recent technical, economic, and administrative developments relevant to establishing a numbering system for IP-based TRS.

Because of the importance of emergency call handling for all Americans, in the Report and Order, the Commission adopts interim emergency call handling requirements for Internet-based TRS providers. These measures will ensure that persons using Internet-based forms of TRS can promptly access emergency services pending the development of a technological solution that will permit Internet-based TRS providers to automatically determine the geographic location of the consumer and place the outbound leg of an emergency call to an appropriate PSAP, designated statewide default answering point, or appropriate local emergency authority. These actions reinforce the Commission's longstanding and continuing commitment to make available a nationwide communications system that promotes the safety and welfare of all Americans, including individuals with hearing and speech disabilities.

In this Order, the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau (Bureau) extends and modifies the waivers granted in the October 2007 Order and Notice as they apply to interconnected VoIP providers and traditional TRS providers. First, the Bureau grants interconnected VoIP providers a waiver until March 31, 2009, of the requirement to route 711-dialed calls to an appropriate relay center, but only in the context of 711-dialed calls in which the calling party's telephone number may not reflect his or her geographic location (because the caller is using a "non-geographically relevant" telephone number or a "nomadic" interconnected VoIP service). In doing so, the Bureau grants, to the extent described herein, the petition for extension of time filed by Qwest Communications Corporation. Second, the Bureau grants traditional TRS providers an extension of time, until March 31, 2009, to fulfill their obligation to implement a system to automatically and immediately call an appropriate PSAP when receiving an emergency 711-dialed call via an interconnected VoIP service. During the pendency of these waivers, TRS providers that cannot automatically and immediately route to an appropriate PSAP the outbound leg of an emergency 711-dialed call placed via TTY by an interconnected VoIP user, as required by section 64.604(a)(4), must implement a manual system for doing so, to the extent feasible, that accomplishes the proper routing of emergency 711-dialed calls as efficiently as possible.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced that it will hold a stakeholder workshop on solutions for implementing a ten-digit numbering plan for the Internet-based forms of telecommunications relay service (TRS), including Video Relay Service (VRS) and IP Relay. The workshop will take place on Tuesday, April 29, 2008, and will begin at 9:30 a.m. and will continue into the afternoon. The workshop will take into account consumer perspectives, and will address technical and operational issues relating to the implementation and administration of a ten-digit numbering plan linked to the North American Numbering Plan for Internet-based TRS services.

On March 19, 2008, the Commission released a Report and Order, (FCC 08-78), in the above-captioned proceeding. This Erratum corrects the Report and Order as follows:

1. First sentence of paragraph 3 in Appendix B is amended to read as follows: Current Sections 64.605, 64.606, 64.607, and 64.608 are re-designated as Sections 64.606, 64.607, 64.608, and 64.609, respectively, and a new Section 64.605 is added as follows:
2. In the text of Sections 64.603(a), 64.603(b), 64.604(c)(5)(ii), 64.604(c)(5)(iii)(F)(1), 64.604(c)(5)(iii)(F)(4), 64.604(c)(6)(i), and 64.604(c)(6)(iii)(B), replace the internal cross references to "§ 64.605" with "§ 64.606."
3. In the text of the newly re-designated Section 64.609, replace the internal cross reference to "§§ 64.606 and 64.607" with "§§ 64.607 and 64.608."

The Commission has released the agenda for the April 29, 2008, Stakeholder Workshop on solutions for implementing a ten-digit numbering plan for Internet-based forms of telecommunications relay service (TRS), including Video Relay Service (VRS) and IP Relay. The Stakeholder Workshop will run from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at FCC Headquarters, 445 12th St., SW, Washington, DC. The agenda is attached.

Participants will include industry stakeholders, consumer advocates, technical experts, and emergency call handling representatives. The Stakeholder Workshop is open to the public and seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Stakeholder Workshop will be webcast live and also archived for later viewing. Access to the webcast, and additional information concerning the webcast, is available at http://www.fcc.gov/realaudio/. Open captioning will be provided for the webcast. During the workshop, the public can e-mail questions for the participants to numberingworkshop@fcc.gov.

On May 1, 2008, pursuant to 47 C.F.R. § 64.604(c)(5)(iii)(H), the National Exchange Carrier Association (NECA), the Interstate Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) Fund Administrator, submitted its annual payment formula and fund size estimate for the Interstate TRS Fund for the period July 1, 2008, through June 30, 2009.

NECA proposes per minute compensation rates based on the new rate calculation methodologies established in the 2007 TRS Rate Methodology Order. These calculations result in the following proposed rates: $1.5938 for interstate traditional TRS; $2.7248 for interstate Speech-to-Speech (STS); $1.6569 for interstate captioned telephone service (CTS) and interstate and intrastate Internet Protocol (IP) captioned telephone service (IP CTS); $1.2865 for interstate and intrastate IP Relay; and tiered rates of $6.7362 for the first 50,000 monthly minutes, $6.4675 for monthly minutes between 50,001 and 500,000, and $6.2685 for minutes above 500,000 for interstate and intrastate Video Relay Service (VRS).

Based on these rates, NECA proposes a carrier contribution factor of 0.01012, and a Fund size requirement of $805.5 million.

The Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau seeks comment on NECA's proposed compensation rates for traditional TRS, STS, CTS and IP CTS, IP Relay, and VRS for the period of July 1, 2008, through June 30, 2009, as well as the proposed carrier contribution factor and Fund size requirement.

In paragraphs 95 and 96 of the 2007 TRS Cost Recovery Declaratory Ruling, the Commission restricted telecommunications relay service (TRS) providers from using consumer or call databases to contact TRS users. On February 7, 2008, the Commission's Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau (Bureau) granted a request to stay the effectiveness of these paragraphs for 90 days, pending further Commission review. In this Order, the Bureau extends the stay of paragraphs 95 and 96, which is set to expire after May 7, 2008, until May 28, 2008, to afford the Commission sufficient time to complete its review of this matter.

In the Declaratory Ruling, the Commission finds that the clarifications set forth above will help ensure that the limits of the federal TRS program are observed, without placing undue restrictions on provider-user communications. In particular, by prohibiting the use of consumer or call database information that is obtained through the provision of federally funded relay services, and the use of funds obtained from the Interstate TRS Fund for purposes unrelated to the handling of relay calls, the Commission concludes that the restrictions on provider-user communications, as clarified herein, will better serve the goals of the Interstate TRS Fund without interfering with day-to-day contacts between providers and consumers that are necessary to the proper handling of relay calls.

In the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Notice), the Commission seeks comment on several issues concerning the provision of Speech-to-Speech (STS), a form of telecommunications relay service (TRS). First, the Commission seeks comment on whether it should amend the TRS regulations to require that the CA handling an STS call stay with the call for a minimum of 20 minutes. Second, the Commission seeks comment on whether the Commission should amend its TRS rules to require that STS providers offer the STS user the option of having her or his voice muted so that the other party to the call would only hear the STS CA re-voicing the call, not the voice of the STS user as well. Finally, the Commission seeks comment on ways we can ensure that STS users calling 711, the nationwide access code for state relay providers, will promptly reach an STS CA to handle their calls, including, for example, requiring TRS providers to use an interactive menu that allows the user to reach an STS CA as the first option.

In addition, the Commission seeks comment on various issues with respect to Internet Protocol (IP) STS (IP STS). In December 2007, Hawk Relay filed a request for clarification that IP STS is a form of TRS eligible for compensation from the Fund. The Commission tentatively concludes that IP STS is a form of TRS compensable from the Fund. The Commission seeks comment on this tentative conclusion, and related issues relevant to the provision, regulation, and compensation of IP STS.

In this Report and Order (Order), the Commission adopts a system for assigning users of Internet-based Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS), specifically Video Relay Service (VRS) and Internet Protocol (IP) Relay, ten-digit telephone numbers linked to the North American Numbering Plan (NANP). The numbering system adopted herein will further the functional equivalency mandate by ensuring that Internet-based TRS users can be reached by voice telephone users in the same way that voice telephone users are called. The measures the Commission adopts also are intended to ensure that emergency calls placed by Internet-based TRS users will be routed directly and automatically to the appropriate emergency services authorities by Internet-based TRS providers. Consistent with the Interim Emergency Call Handling Order, the Commission requires that the ten-digit numbering plan set forth herein be implemented no later than December 31, 2008.

In the accompanying Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Further Notice), the Commission seeks comment on additional issues relating to the assignment and administration of ten-digit telephone numbers for Internet-based TRS.

On May 1, 2008, the National Exchange Carrier Association, Inc. (NECA), the Interstate Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) Fund Administrator, filed its annual Interstate Telecommunications Relay Services Fund Payment Formula and Fund Size Estimate for the period of July 1, 2008, through June 30, 2009. In its filing, NECA proposes the following rates: $1.5938 per minute for interstate traditional TRS; $2.7248 per minute for interstate Speech-to-Speech (STS); $1.6569 per minute for interstate captioned telephone service (CTS) and intrastate and interstate Internet Protocol (IP) captioned telephone service (IP CTS); $1.2865 per minute for intrastate and interstate IP Relay; and tiered rates of $6.7362 for the first 50,000 monthly minutes, $6.4675 for monthly minutes between 50,001 and 500,000, and $6.2685 for minutes above 500,000 for intrastate and interstate Video Relay Service (VRS). Based on these rates, NECA proposes a carrier contribution factor of 0.01012, and a Fund size requirement of approximately $805.5 million. As set forth, the Commission adopts the proposed rates, carrier contribution factor, and Interstate TRS Fund (Fund) size.

The Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau (Bureau) has received requests for guidance concerning the transferability of Federal Communications Commission (Commission) certification of Internet-based TRS providers as eligible for compensation from the Interstate TRS Fund (Fund), pursuant to the provider certification rules contained in section 64.605 of the Commission's rules. The Bureau clarifies that such certification is not transferable. Therefore, in the event that an entity not certified pursuant to section 64.605 purchases, acquires, or merges with another TRS provider, the acquiring or surviving provider must be certified under section 64.605 (or otherwise eligible for compensation from the Fund) before it can receive payments from the Fund. On the other hand, if an entity that is certified pursuant to section 64.605 purchases, acquires, or merges with another TRS provider, the acquiring or surviving provider need only notify the Commission of the change in its TRS program and provision of service within 60 days pursuant to section 64.605(f)(2).

Notice is hereby given that the applications for certification of Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) programs of the states listed below have been granted, pursuant to Title IV of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), 47 U.S.C. § 225(f)(2), and section 64.606(b) of the Commission's rules. On the basis of the state applications, the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau has determined that: (1) the TRS program of the states meet or exceed all operational; technical, and functional minimum standards contained in section 64.604 of the Commission's rules; (2) the TRS programs of the listed states make available adequate procedures and remedies for enforcing the requirements of the state program; and (3) the TRS program of the listed states in no way conflict with federal law.

Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

This certification, as conditioned herein, shall remain in effect for a five year period, beginning July 26, 2008, and ending July 25, 2013, pursuant to 47 C.F.R. § 64.606(c). One year prior to the expiration of this certification, July 25, 2012, the states may apply for renewal of their TRS programs certification by filing documentation in accordance with the Commission's rules, pursuant to 47 C.F.R. §§ 64.606(a) and (b).

On June 24, 2008, the Commission released a Report and Order (Order)adopting a system for assigning North American Number Plan (NANP) ten-digit telephone numbers to Internet-based Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) users. In the Order, the Commission determined that a neutral third-party administrator will build, maintain, and operate a centralized numbering directory mechanism to map the NANP telephone numbers assigned to Internet-based TRS users to an appropriate Internet address (or other appropriate endpoint identifier). As set forth in the Order, the neutral database administrator must be selected, and must construct the database, work with industry to populate the database, test the functionality of the database, and be prepared to support ten-digit numbers for Internet-based TRS users no later than December 31, 2008.

On June 25, 2008, the Commission posted a Sources Sought Announcement on the Government Wide Point of Entry (FedBizOpps), seeking a contractor capable of implementing and operating the centralized numbering directory.

Based on the results of the Sources Sought Announcement, on July 28, 2008, the Commission posted a Combined Synopsis/Solicitation as a Request for Quotation (Solicitation Number: RFQ08000022) on FedBizOpps, available at https://www.fbo.gov. Responses to the Combined Synopsis/Solicitation must be e-mailed to Arnett Rogiers, Administrative Operations, Office of the Managing Director, arnett.rogiers@fcc.gov on August 11, 2008 by 12:00 pm. Any questions regarding the Combined Synopsis/Solicitation must be e-mailed to Arnett Rogiers by 5:00 pm EDT August 1, 2008. For further information, refer to the Combined Synopsis/Solicitation, available at https://www.fbo.gov.

2007

In the Declaratory Ruling, the Commission grants a request for clarification that Internet Protocol (IP) captioned telephone relay service (IP captioned telephone service or IP CTS) is a type of telecommunications relay service (TRS) eligible for compensation from the Interstate TRS Fund when offered in compliance with the applicable TRS mandatory minimum standards. The Commission also grants the request that all IP CTS calls be compensated from the Interstate TRS Fund until such time as the Commission adopts jurisdictional separation costs for this service. The Commission conditions its approval on Ultratec's representation that it will continue to license its captioned telephone technologies, including technologies relating to IP CTS, as reasonable rates.

On July 14, 2006, Snap Telecommunications, Inc. (Snap) filed a request for a temporary waiver of the interoperability requirements concerning the provision of Video Relay Service (VRS). On March 6, 2007, Snap filed a letter with the Commission stating that Snap has started providing VRS and is in compliance with the VRS interoperability requirements. Snap therefore requests that the Commission dismiss its waiver request as moot. As a result of this letter, the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau hereby dismisses Snap's request for temporary waiver as moot.

On May 1, 2007, pursuant to 47 C.F.R. § 64.604(c)(5)(iii)(H), the National Exchange Carrier Association (NECA), the Interstate Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) Fund Administrator, submitted its annual payment formula and fund size estimate for the Interstate TRS Fund for the period July 1, 2007, through June 30, 2008.

NECA proposes per minute compensation rates based on alternative rate calculations for the various forms of TRS. These calculations result in proposed rates ranging from $1.5601 to $1.7225 for traditional TRS; $2.4954 to $3.3278 for Speech-to-Speech (STS); $1.1002 to $1.2268 for IP Relay; and $4.3480 to $6.4370 for video relay service (VRS). The alternative methodologies result in a proposed carrier contribution factor ranging form 0.0052 to 0.0075, and a Fund size requirement ranging from $397.0 million to $575.4 million. The Commission seeks comment on NECA's proposed compensation rates for traditional TRS, STS, IP Relay, and VRS for the period of July 1, 2007, through June 30, 2008, as well as the proposed carrier contribution factors and Fund size requirements.

The FCC urges merchants to use caution in handling telephone orders for goods. Merchants that accept orders made by telephone for goods and services should take steps to ensure that, for any order placed by phone, the payment method or credit card is valid and the purchaser is authorized to use the particular credit card. In addition, there are some indicia of fraudulent telephone orders or business transactions that merchants can use to help determine if an order placed by phone is legitimate. These indicia include a caller who: (1)is happy to order "whatever you have in stock"; (2) supplies multiple credit cards as one or more are declined; (3) cannot provide the credit card verification code number (the three digit number on the back of the card); (4) wants the goods shipped through a third party and/or an overseas location; (5) will not identify himself or give a company name; (6) changes delivery or payment method after an order has been approved.

The Commission has received informal complaints that people without disabilities, who are posing as deaf or hard of hearing consumers, are misusing an Internet based telecommunications relay service ("TRS" or "Relay Service") called "IP Relay" to perpetrate fraudulent business transactions, often by using stolen or fake credit cards.

The Commission also reminds merchants who accept telephone orders that they must not "hang up" on calls made through a Relay Service. Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) requires merchants to ensure that people with disabilities have access to their services. Therefore, if a merchant accepts telephone orders from the general public, the merchant cannot refuse to accept calls from people who are deaf or hard of hearing or who have a speech disability who call through a Relay Service. Calls made through a Relay Service can and must be handled in the same way as any telephone call. For more information on the applicability of the ADA in this context, see generally the United States Department of Justice's ADA homepage, at www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm or contact the DOJ ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 (voice) or 800-514-0383 (TTY).

The Commission has extended the disability access requirements of Sections 225 and 255 of the Communications Act, which currently apply to traditional phone services, to providers of interconnected Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services and to manufacturers of specially designed equipment used to provide those services.

In this Report and Order (Order), the Commission extends the disability access requirements that currently apply to telecommunications service providers and equipment manufacturers under section 255 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (the Act), to providers of "interconnected voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services," as defined by the Commission, and to manufacturers of specially designed equipment used to provide those services. The Commission adopts this measure under our Title I ancillary jurisdiction in order to give full effect to the accessibility policies embodied in section 255, and to further our statutory mandate to make available a nationwide communications system that promotes the safety and welfare of all Americans. In addition, the Commission extends the Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) requirements contained in our regulations, 47 C.F.R. §§ 64.601 et seq., to providers of interconnected VoIP services, pursuant to section 225(b)(1) of the Act and its Title I ancillary jurisdiction.

Among the TRS requirements that the Commission extends to interconnected VoIP providers, the Commission requires such providers to contribute to the Interstate TRS Fund (Fund) under the Commission's existing contribution rules, and to offer 711 abbreviated dialing for access to relay services. Together, these measures will ensure that, as more consumers migrate from traditional phone service to interconnected VoIP services, the disability access provisions mandated by Congress under sections 255 and 225 will apply to, and benefit users of, interconnected VoIP services and equipment.

The current TRS certifications for all states and territories will expire on July 26, 2008. Under the TRS regulations, states can apply for "renewal" one year prior to expiration, i.e., July 26, 2007. 47 C.F.R. § 64.605.

The Federal Communications Commission's Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau reminds states and interstate telecommunications relay services (TRS) provides that they must submit their annual consumer complaint log summaries for the 12-month period ending May 31, 2007, on or before Monday, July 2, 2007.

Pending resolution of the cost recovery methodology issues raised in the TRS Cost Recovery FNPRM (FCC 06-106, released July 20, 2006), the Commission continues the current 2006-2007 compensation rates on an interim basis until such time as new rates are adopted and effective. The present per-minute compensation rates for the various forms of TRS that will be continued are: $1.291 for interstate traditional TRS; $1.409 for interstate Speech-to-Speech; $1.291 for interstate captioned telephone service; $1.293 for interstate and intrastate IP Relay and interstate and intrastate IP CTS; and $6.644 for interstate and intrastate VRS.

On May 18, 2007, five VRS providers (Petitioners) filed a Petition for Declaratory Ruling (Petition) that Sorenson Communications, Inc.'s (Sorenson) alleged practice of using "do-not-compete" clauses in their employment contracts with VRS CAs is contrary to the public interest and therefore should be prohibited. Petitioners assert that the clause forbids VRS CAs employed with Sorenson from working with other VRS providers for a period of one year after ending their employment with Sorenson. The Commission hereby seeks comment on the Petition.

On July 16, 2007, CSDVRS, LLC (CSDVRS) filed an application for certification as a provider of Video Relay Service (VRS) eligible for compensation from the Interstate TRS Fund (Fund) pursuant to the recently adopted provider certification rules. CSDVRS's application is granted, subject to the conditions noted in the Public Notice.

The Commission has reviewed the CSDVRS Application pursuant to these rules. The Commission concludes that CSDVRS has sufficiently demonstrated that its provision of VRS service will meet or exceed all operational, technical, and functional TRS standards set forth in the Commission's rules, 47 C.F.R. § 64.604; that it makes available adequate procedures and remedies for ensuring compliance with applicable Commission rules; and that to the extent CSDVRS's service differs from the mandatory minimum standards, the service does not violate the rules.

The Commission grants CSDVRS's application subject to compliance with applicable Commission orders, including the declaratory ruling requiring the interoperability of VRS equipment and service. This certification shall remain in effect for a period of five years from the release date of the Public Notice. Within ninety days prior to the expiration of this certification, CSDVRS may apply for renewal of its VRS service certification by filing documentation in accordance with the Commission's rules.

On January 3, 2007, Hawk Relay, LLC (Hawk Relay) filed an application for certification as a provider of IP Relay and VRS eligible for compensation from the Interstate TRS Fund (Fund) pursuant to the IP Relay and VRS provider certification rules. On July 9, 2007, Hawk Relay, LLC resubmitted its application. Hawk Relay's July 9, 2007, application is granted, subject to the conditions noted in the Public Notice.

The Commission has reviewed the Hawk Relay Revised Application pursuant to these rules. The Commission concludes that Hawk Relay has adequately demonstrated that its provision of IP Relay and VRS services will meet or exceed all operational, technical, and functional TRS standards set forth in the Commission's rules, 47 C.F.R. § 64.604; that it makes available adequate procedures and remedies for ensuring compliance with applicable Commission rules; and that to the extent Hawk Relay service differs from the mandatory minimum standards, the service does not violate the rules.

The Commission grants Hawk Relay's application subject to compliance with applicable Commission orders, including the declaratory ruling requiring the interoperability of VRS equipment and service. This certification shall remain in effect for a period of five years from the release date of this Public Notice. Within ninety days prior to the expiration of this certification, Hawk Relay may apply for renewal of its IP Relay and VRS provider certification by filing documentation in accordance with the Commission's rules.

In this Order (Order), the Commission grants in part and deny in part several petitions for waiver relating to the Commission's recent VoIP TRS Order. In that order, the Commission extended the telecommunications relay service (TRS) requirements contained in Part 64 of the Commission's rules to providers of interconnected voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services. Among the requirements extended to interconnected VoIP providers is the obligation to offer 711 abbreviated dialing access to traditional relay services via a voice telephone or a text telephone (TTY). The petitions for waiver raise issues concerning (1) the ability of an interconnected VoIP provider to route the inbound leg of a 711 call to an appropriate TRS provider, particularly when the caller's telephone number does not correspond to the caller's actual location, and (2) the ability of a TRS provider that receives, via an interconnected VoIP service, a 711 call concerning an emergency to determine an appropriate Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) to call.

As set forth herein, the Commission recognizes that in certain circumstances there are technical challenges to the ability of interconnected VoIP providers to route 711 calls to an appropriate relay center. Similarly, the Commission recognizes that in certain circumstances TRS providers receiving 711 emergency calls via an interconnected VoIP service may not be able to determine an appropriate PSAP to call in compliance with the TRS emergency call handling requirements. As a result, the Commission waives for six months the requirement set forth in the VoIP TRS Order that interconnected VoIP providers must transmit 711 calls to an appropriate relay provider, as defined below. The Commission also waive for six months traditional TRS providers' obligation to call to an appropriate PSAP when receiving, via interconnected VoIP service, a 711 call concerning an emergency. Further, in the Public Notice, the Commission seeks comment on the petitions for stay and/or waiver.

(73 FR 3254, January 17, 2008) - Final Rules

In July 2006, the Commission released a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking comment on issues concerning the compensation of telecommunications relay services (TRS) providers from the Interstate TRS Fund (Fund). In the Report and Order and Declaratory Ruling (Order), the Commission: (1) adopt a new cost recovery methodology for interstate traditional TRS and interstate Speech-to-Speech (STS) based on the "MARS" plan ("Multi-state Average Rate Structure"), proposed by one of the providers; (2) adopt a new cost recovery methodology for interstate captioned telephone service (CTS) and interstate and intrastate Internet Protocol (IP) captioned telephone service (IP CTS) based on the MARS plan; (3) adopt a cost recovery methodology for Internet Protocol (IP) Relay based on price caps; (4) adopt a cost recovery methodology for Video Relay Service (VRS) that adopts tiered rates based on call volume; (5) clarify the nature and extent that certain categories of costs are compensable from the Fund; and (6) address certain issues concerning the management and oversight of the Fund, including financial incentives offered to consumers to make relay calls and the role of the Interstate TRS Fund Advisory Council.

In addition, the Commission adopts new compensation rates for these services as follows:

• For interstate traditional TRS, the Commission adopts the MARS plan rate of $1.592 per-minute based on the states' competitively bid compensation rates for intrastate traditional TRS and STS. This rate shall be effective March 1, 2008 for the remainder of the 2007-2008 Fund year.
• For interstate STS, the Commission adopts a rate of $2.723 per-minute. This rate is based on the MARS plan rate of $1.592, but includes an additional $1.131 per minute in compensation that shall be directed for outreach. This rate shall be effective March 1, 2008 for the remainder of the 2007-2008 Fund year.
• For interstate CTS and interstate and intrastate IP CTS, the Commission adopts the MARS plan rate of $1.629 per-minute based on the states' competitively bid compensation rates for intrastate captioned telephone service. This rate shall be effective March 1, 2008 for the remainder of the 2007-2008 Fund year.
• For interstate and intrastate IP Relay, the Commission adopts the rate of $1.293. This rate shall be effective March 1, 2008 for the 2007-2008 through 2009-2010 Fund years, subject to annual adjustment.
• For interstate and intrastate VRS, the Commission adopts the following rates and tiers: (1) for the first 50,000 monthly minutes: $6.77; (2) for monthly minutes between 50,001 and 500,000: $6.50; and (3) for monthly minutes above 500,000: $6.30. The VRS rates shall be effective March 1, 2008 for the 2007-2008 through 2009-2010 Fund years, subject to annual adjustment.

On May 18, 2007, Hawk Relay (Hawk) filed a Petition for Clarification that its proposed Deaf Blind Relay Service (DBRS) is a Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) compensable from the Interstate TRS Fund. As described by Hawk, its proposed DBRS would use an interpreter (a "Communications Facilitator" (CF)) to sit with the deaf/blind user, place or receive conventional voice-to-voice telephone calls on his or her behalf, and interpret the ensuing conversation(s). The CF would travel to the DBRS consumer's location to assist in placing the call. Alternatively, a DBRS consumer could travel to a regional DBRS center to place a call through a CF.

The Commission seeks comment on the DBRS Petition, including, specifically, whether DBRS falls within the definition of TRS as set forth in section 225(a)(3) of the Communications Act of 1934. The Commission notes, for example, that Hawk's proposed DBRS does not fit within the typical two-leg relay paradigm in which a relay center receives and places inbound and outbound calls between the end users to the relay call. Instead, the DBRS would employ a CF to assist the caller, in person, in making a telephone call

On November 19, 2007, the Commission released a Report and Order and Declaratory Ruling (FCC 07-186). The Erratum amends the Report and Order and Declaratory Ruling as follows: (1) Paragraph 2, fourth bullet, the last sentence is revised to read as follows:

This rate shall be effective for the 2007-2008 through 2009-2010 Fund years, beginning on the first day of the month following the effective date of this Order, subject to annual adjustment as set forth below; (2) Paragraph 2, fifth bullet, the last sentence is revised to read as follows: The VRS rates shall be effective for the 2007-2008 through 2009-2010 Fund years, beginning on the first day of the month following the effective date of this Order, subject to annual adjustment as set forth below; (3) Paragraph 47, in the second-to-last sentence, "0.05 percent" is replaced by "0.5 percent"; (4) Paragraph 55, in the last sentence, "0.05 percent" is replaced by "0.5 percent"; (5) Paragraph 56, in the second-to-last sentence, "0.05 percent" is replaced by "0.5 percent"; (6) Paragraph 67, in the second-to-last sentence, "1,000,000" is replaced by "500,000"; (7) Paragraph 88, in the second-to-last sentence, delete ", as raised below in the FNPRM,[.]"; (8) Paragraph 103, in the last sentence, http://www.fcc.gov/cgb.dro"is replaced by http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/dro."; and (9) In Appendix H, replace the amendment to 47 C.F.R. § 64.604(c)(5)(iii)(C) with the following paragraph: (C) Data collection from TRS providers. TRS providers shall provide the administrator with true and adequate data, and other historical, projected and state rate related information reasonably requested by the administrator, necessary to determine TRS Fund revenue requirements and payments. TRS providers shall provide the administrator with the following: total TRS minutes of use, total interstate TRS minutes of use, total TRS operating expenses and total TRS investment in general accordance with part 32 of this chapter, and other historical or projected information reasonably requested by the administrator for purposes of computing payments and revenue requirements. The administrator and the Commission shall have the authority to examine, verify and audit data received from TRS providers as necessary to assure the accuracy and integrity of TRS Fund payments.

In this Order, the Commission extends the waivers for one year (i.e., until January 1, 2009), conditioned upon the filing of a status report due April 16th, 2008, of the one-line VCO, VCO-to-TTY, and VCO-to-VCO; one-line HCO, HCO-to-TTY, and HCO-to-HCO; call release; STS; pay-per-call (900) calls, types of calls, equal access to interexchange carrier requirements; and speed dialing (for IP Relay) requirements; and (2) allow the waivers of the speed dialing (for VRS) and three-way calling (for VRS and IP Relay) requirements to expire on January 1, 2008.

2006

On December 15, 2005, the National Exchange Carrier Association filed a letter with the Commission asking to withdraw its Petition for Interim Waiver and Rulemaking concerning the compensation of wireless TRS calls.

On February 6, 2006, a Petition for Clarification (petition) was filed by Communication Service for the Deaf concerning the provision of American Sign Language (ASL)-to-Spanish Video Relay Service (VRS). The petition asks the Commission to clarify that the providers of ASL-to-Spanish VRS are not required to offer the service 24 hours a day and 7 days a week to be eligible for compensation from the Interstate TRS Fund.

**This Public Notice is also available in Spanish on the Disability Rights Office web page**

On February 21, 2006, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approved for three years the information collection requirements contained in the Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities, Report and Order, Order on Reconsideration, FCC 05-203. 47 CFR Sections 64.605 (a)(2), (c)(2), (e)(2), (f)(2), and (g) will become effective March 8, 2006.

On May 1, 2006, pursuant to 47 C.F.R. § 64.604(c)(5)(iii)(H), the National Exchange Carrier Association (NECA), the Interstate Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) Fund Administrator, submitted its annual payment formula and fund size estimate for the Interstate TRS Fund for the period July 1, 2006, through June 30, 2007.

NECA proposes per completed minute compensation rates of $1.257 for traditional TRS (compared to $1.440 for the 2005-2006 fund year); $1.219 for Internet Protocol (IP) Relay (compared to $1.278 for the 2005-2006 fund year); $1.352 for Speech-to-speech (STS) (compared to $1.579 for the 2005-2006 fund year); and $6.116 for Video Relay Service (VRS) (compared to $6.644 for the 2005-2006 fund year). NECA proposes a carrier contribution factor of 0.00492 (compared to 0.00564 for the 2005-2006 fund year) and a fund size requirement of $386.3 million (compared to $441.5 million for the 2005-2006 fund year).

In response to a petition by the California Coalition of Agencies Serving the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, the FCC has found that all VRS consumers must be able to place a VRS call through any VRS provider's service, and all VRS providers must be able to receive calls from, and make calls to, any VRS consumer. The Commission also determined that restricting the use of a provider's VRS service so that consumers cannot access other VRS providers is inconsistent with the functional equivalency mandate, the public interest and the intent of Congress.

The FCC has opened a proceeding requesting comment on ways to curtail the abuse of the two Internet-based forms of Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) -- Internet Protocol (IP) Relay Service and Video Relay Service (VRS). Such misuse, including, using IP Relay to make telephone purchases from merchants using stolen, fake, or otherwise invalid credit cards, or improperly using VRS as a substitute for in-person interpreters, results in improper compensation from the Interstate TRS Fund.

In this FNPRM, the Commission addresses the misuse of the two Internet-based forms of TRS, Internet Protocol (IP) Relay Service and Video Relay Service (VRS), and seek comment on possible changes to the TRS regulations to curtail their misuse.

On January 25, 2006, Snap Telecommunications, Inc. (Snap) files and application for certification as a VRS provider eligible for compensation from the Interstate TRS Fund pursuant to recently adopted provider certification rules. The Commission has reviewed Snap's application and concluded that Snap has demonstrated that it provision of VRS service will meet or exceed all operational, technical, and functional TRS standards set forth in the Commission's rules, 47 CFR section 64.604; that it make available adequate procedures and remedies for ensuring compliance with applicable Commission's rules; and that to the extent Snap's services differs from the mandatory minimum standards, the service does not violate the rules.

On May 8, 2006, the Commission released a Public Notice, FCC 06-67 in the above captioned proceeding. This Erratum corrects the fifth paragraph of the May 8, 2006 Public Notice.

In this Declaratory Ruling,, the Commission addresses a petition requesting it to declare that a Video Relay Service (VRS) provider may not receive compensation from the Interstate TRS Fund if it blocks calls to competing VRS providers. In the corresponding FNPRM, the Commission seeks comment on whether and how an open and global database of proxy numbers for VRS users may be created so that a hearing person may call a VRS user through any VRS provider without having to ascertain first the VRS user's current IP address. The Commission also seeks comment in the FNPRM on whether it should adopt specific Internet protocols or standards to ensure that all VRS providers can receive calls from, and make calls to, any VRS consume, and all VRS consumers can make calls through any VRS provider.

On May 10, 2006, the National Exchange Carrier Association (NECA) amended its annual payment formula and fund size estimate for the Interstate TRS Fund for the period July 1, 2006, through June 30, 2007, by means of an Errata to the payment formula and fund size estimate which it had originally submitted on May 1, 2006, pursuant to 47 CFR § 64.604(c)(5)(iii)(H).

In the original filing, NECA proposes a carrier contribution factor of 0.00492 and per completed minute compensation rates of: $1.257 for traditional TRS; $1.219 for Internet Protocol (IP) Relay; and $6.116 for Video Relay Service (VRS). In its Errata, NECA increased the proposed carrier contribution factor from 0.00492 to 0.00494, and the per completed minute compensation rates for $1.257 to $1.262 for traditional TRS; $1.219 to $1.223 for IP Relay; and $6.116 to $6.138 for VRS. NECA's originally proposed fund size requirement of $386.3 million and per completed minute compensation rate of $1.352 for Speech-to-Speech (STS) remain the same.

In this document, the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau (Bureau) denies a petition for declaratory ruling filed by Telco Group, Inc. requesting that the Commission either exclude international revenues from the end-user revenue base used to calculate payments due to the Interstate Telecommunications Relay Service Fund, or in the alternative, waive the portion of Telco Group's contribution based on its international end-user revenues.

On May 16, 2006, the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau (Bureau) released a Declaratory Ruling denying a petition filed by Telco Group, Inc., which requested that the Commission either exclude international revenues from the end-user revenue base used to calculate payments due to the Interstate Telecommunications Relay Service Fund, or in the alternative, waive the portion of Telco Group's contribution based on its international end-user revenues. That Order, however, did not contain an analysis of the complete record. The Bureau, therefore, on its own motion, reconsiders the merits of the petition

The Federal Communications Commission's Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau reminds states and interstate TRS providers that they must submit their annual consumer complaint log summaries for the 12-month period ending May 31, 2006, on or before July 3, 2006.

On February 22, 2006, Healinc Telecom, LLC (Healinc) filed an application for certification as a VRS and IP Relay provider eligible for compensation from the Interstate TRS Fund (Fund) pursuant to the recently adopted provider certification rules. On April 18, 2006, Healinc submitted an addendum to its original application clarifying that it was seeking certification only as a provider of VRS. The addendum also documented Healinc's compliance with some mandatory minimum standards that were not addressed in its original application. The Commission has reviewed the Healinc Application and Healinc Addendum pursuant to these rules.

The Commission concludes that Healinc has sufficiently demonstrated that its provision of VRS service will meet or exceed all operational, technical, and functional TRS standards set forth in the Commission's rules, 47 C.F.R. § 64.604; that it makes available adequate procedures and remedies for ensuring compliance with applicable Commission rules; and that to the extent Healinc's service differs from the mandatory minimum standards, the service does not violate the rules.

The Commission notes that it has adopted a declaratory ruling requiring the interoperability of VRS equipment and service. The Commission conditions this grant of certification upon compliance with that order. This certification shall remain in effect for a period of five years from the release date of this Public Notice. Within ninety days prior to the expiration of this certification, Healinc may apply for renewal of its VRS service certification by filing documentation in accordance with the Commission's rules.

On March 16, 2006, GoAmerica, Inc. (GoAmerica) filed an application for certification as a provider of IP Relay and VRS services eligible for compensation from the Interstate TRS Fund (Fund) pursuant to the recently adopted provider certification rules. On April 21, 2006, GoAmerica submitted a supplement to its original application for certification.

The Commission has reviewed the GoAmerica Application and GoAmerica Supplement pursuant to these rules. The Commission concludes that GoAmerica has sufficiently demonstrated that its provision of IP Relay and VRS services will meet or exceed all operational, technical, and functional TRS standards set forth in the Commission's rules, 47 C.F.R. § 64.604; that it makes available adequate procedures and remedies for ensuring compliance with applicable Commission rules; and that to the extent GoAmerica's service differs from the mandatory minimum standards, the service does not violate the rules.

This certification shall remain in effect for a period of five years from the release date of this Public Notice. Within ninety days prior to the expiration of this certification, GoAmerica may apply for renewal of its IP Relay and VRS services certification by filing documentation in accordance with the Commission's rules.

This Order addresses two issues concerning the provision of Video Relay Service (VRS), a form the telecommunications relay services (TRS), raised in the Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the 2004 TRS Report and Order & FNPRM. The Commission clarifies that if the calling party or the VRS communications assistant (CA) find that they are not communicating effectively given the nature of the call, the 10-minute in-call replacement rule does not apply and the VRS provider may have another CA handle the call. The Commission also clarifies that the VRS CA may ask the VRS user questions during call set-up when necessary to assist the CA in properly handling the call.

In this Order, the Commission sets the following per minute compensation rate for the various forms of telecommunications relay service (TRS) for 2006-2007 Fund year: $1.291 for interstate traditional TRS; $1.409 for interstate STS; and $1.293 for interstate and intrastate IP Relay. With Respect to interstate and intrastate Video Relay Service (VRS), this Order freezes the 2005-2006 VRS rate of $6.644 per minute for a one-year period ending June 30, 2007, or until such time as the Commission adopts a new VRS rate pursuant to new VRS cost recovery rules, whichever is sooner.

The 2004 TRS Report & Order addressed numerous issues relating to the regulation and compensation of telecommunications relay service (TRS), and particularly Video Relay Service (VRS). In response to that order, several parties filed petitions for reconsideration. The Commission has resolved several of the issues raised in these petitions in prior orders. The Commission now address the remaining issues, which include: (1) the adoption of the final 2003-2004 VRS compensation rate of $8.854; (2) whether the final VRS rate should be fully retroactive; (3) the compensability of research and development expenses incurred for TRS enhancements that go beyond the applicable TRS mandatory minimum standards from the Interstate TRS Fund (Fund); and (4) the applicability of "rate of return" regulation to traditional TRS and speed of answer requirements to VRS. For the reasons set forth below, the Commission grants in part and denies in part the petitions for reconsideration.

On June 30, 2004, the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau (Bureau) adopted the per-minute compensation rate for Video Relay Service (VRS), a form of telecommunications relay service (TRS), for the 2004-2005 fund year. Three parties filed applications for review challenging this rate. For the reasons noted in the MO&O, the Commission denies the applications for review and affirms the 2004-2005 VRS compensation rate adopted by the Bureau.

Washington, DC -- The Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Notice) adopted by the Commission today, seeks comment on a broad range of issues concerning the compensation of providers of telecommunications relay services (TRS) from the Interstate TRS Fund (Fund) for their costs of providing TRS.

Specifically, today's Notice seeks comment on the following:

• Alternative cost recovery methodologies for interstate traditional TRS, STS, and IP Relay, including a proposal by Hamilton Relay, Inc., called the "MARS" plan ("Multi-state Average Rate Structure"), and related issues including whether traditional TRS, STS, and IP Relay should be compensated at the same rate;
• The appropriate cost recovery methodology for VRS and the length of time the VRS rate should be in effect;
• Issues relating to the "reasonable" costs compensable under the present cost recovery methodology, including whether, and to what extent, marketing and outreach expenses, overhead costs, and executive compensation are compensable from the Fund; and
• Ways to improve the management and administration of the Fund, including adopting measures for assessing the performance and efficiency of the Fund and to deter waste, fraud, and abuse.

Comments will be due 45 days after publication in the Federal Register and replies 15 days thereafter.

In this Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Notice), the Commission seeks comment on a broad range of issues concerning the compensation of providers of telecommunications relay services (TRS) from the Interstate TRS Fund (Fund). First, the Commission seeks comment on alternative cost recovery methodologies for interstate traditional TRS and Speech-to-Speech (STS), including Hamilton Relay, Inc.'s (Hamilton) proposed "MARS" plan ("Multi-state Average Rate Structure"), and also whether traditional TRS and STS should be compensated at the same rate. Second, this Notice seeks further comment on the appropriate cost recovery methodology for Video Relay Service (VRS) and the length of time the VRS rate should be in effect.

Third, this Notice seeks comment on issues relating to the "reasonable" costs compensable under the present cost recovery methodology, including whether, and to what extent, marketing and outreach expenses, overhead costs, and executive compensation are compensable from the Fund. Finally, this Notice seeks comment on ways to improve the management and administration of the Fund, including adopting measures for assessing the performance and efficiency of the Fund and to deter waste, fraud, and abuse.

The purpose of this Public Notice is to remind telecommunications equipment manufacturers and telecommunications service providers subject to Section 255 of the Communications Act of 1934 of their obligation to designate an agent for service of informal and formal complaints received by the Federal Communications Commission ("Commission"). The valid control number for compliance with the designation of points of contact information contained in these sections is 3060-0833.

The purpose of this Public Notice is to remind certified state Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) programs that pursuant to 47 C.F.R. § 64.604(c)(2) they must submit to the Commission a contact person or office for TRS consumer information and complaints about intrastate service. The submission shall include the name and address of the state office that receives complaints, grievances, inquiries and suggestions; the voice, TTY, and fax numbers for that office; the e-mail address; and the physical address to which correspondence should be sent.

In this Order, the Commission clarifies waivers of certain TRS mandatory minimum standards for captioned telephone relay service, a form of TRS. The Captioned Telephone Declaratory Ruling waived the following mandatory minimum standards for the provision of captioned telephone service: (1) CAs must be competent in interpreting typewritten American Sign Language (ASL); (2) TRS providers must give CAs oral-to-type tests; and (3) CAs may not refuse sequential calls. These waivers expired on August 1, 2006. The Commission clarifies that these requirements do not apply to captioned telephone services that use voice recognition technologies (instead of typing) to convey messages and that do not have the CA play a role in setting up the calls.

On February 6, 2006, Communication Service for the Deaf (CSD) filed a petition for clarification concerning whether providers of ASL-to-Spanish VRS, a for telecommunications relay service (TRS), must offer service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (24/7) to be eligible for compensation from the Interstate TRS Fund. Accordingly, the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau dismissed the CSD Petition.

TRS providers are required to handle emergency calls by immediately and automatically transferring the calls to an appropriate public safety answering point (PSAP). The Commission has waived this requirement for providers of Video Relay Service (VRS), a form of TRS, due to the technological challenges related to determining the geographic location of TRS calls that originate via the Internet. This waiver expires on January 1, 2007. As explained in the herein, the Commission extends the waiver for one year in view of these continued technological challenges. According, the waiver of the emergency call handling requirement for VRS providers will expire on January 1, 2008, or upon the release of an order addressing this issue, whichever comes first.

The Commission adopted a Declaratory Ruling finding that Internet Protocol (IP) captioned telephone service (IP CTS) is a type of telecommunications relay service (TRS) eligible for compensation from the Interstate TRS Fund. The Commission acted in response to a petition by Ultratec, Inc., that was widely supported by the disability community.

On October 4, 2006, Hands On Video Relay Services, Inc. (Hands On) filed an application for certification as a provider of IP Relay and VRS eligible for compensation from the Interstate TRS Fund pursuant to the IP Relay and VRS provider certification rules. On November 21, 2006, Hands On submitted a supplement to its application for certification. Hands On's application is granted, subject to the conditions noted in the 2005 IP Relay and VRS Certification Order, FCC 05-203.

2005

This Declaratory Ruling addresses a Petition for Declaratory Ruling filed by Petitioner Hands On Video Relay Services, Inc. (Petitioner or Hands On) on December 29, 2004. Petitioner requests a declaratory ruling that its "Brown Bag Rewards Program," offered in connection with its provision of Video Relay Service (VRS), a form of telecommunications relay service (TRS) does not violate any section of the communications Act or any Commission rule. The Commission concludes that the Brown Bag Rewards Program, and any program that offers any kind of financial incentive or reward for a consumer to place a TRS call, including minimum usage arrangements or programs (whether or not tied to the acceptance of equipment), violates Section 225 of the Communications Act. Therefore, Hands On's Petition for Declaratory Ruling is denied.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) has become aware that some TRS providers may be engaging in marketing practices that are inconsistent with the TRS statute and regulations. We have also become aware that some TRS providers may not be handling TRS calls in a manner that is consistent with our TRS statute and regulations, e.g., through the use of a reservations system. Finally, we are aware that Video Relay Service (VRS) - a form of TRS - is sometimes being used as a substitute for a live interpreter when a person who is deaf or hard of hearing seeks to communicate with a hearing person at the same location. Accordingly, we clarify below that certain TRS practices violate the TRS rules, and that VRS may not be used as a video remote interpreting service by persons at the same location. We will instruct the TRS fund administrator that, effective March 1, 2005, any provider found to be engaging in the improper marketing or call handling practices described below will be ineligible for compensation from the Interstate TRS Fund (Fund).

The FCC's Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau has found that programs to encourage or reward a consumer for placing a TRS call are inconsistent with the Communications Act and the Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) rules.

The Bureau issued a declaratory ruling in response to a request by Hands On Video Relay Services, Inc., which asked that the FCC find that its "Brown Bag Rewards Program," offered in connection with its provision of VRS, was in compliance with the rules. Hands On's program permits consumers of its VRS service to earn points that can be redeemed by having Hands On pay their DSL or cable modem bill.

The Bureau found that any program that involves the use of any type of financial incentives to encourage or reward a consumer for placing a TRS call, including the Brown Bag Rewards Program, is inconsistent with the rules.

As a result, the Bureau found that, effective March 1, 2005, any TRS provider offering such incentives or rewards for the use of any of the forms of TRS will be ineligible for compensation from the Interstate TRS Fund.

The Bureau noted that provision of TRS is an accommodation for persons with certain disabilities and that reaching the CA to place a call is the equivalent of receiving a "dial tone." The cost of TRS is not paid by the TRS user, but by either a state or the Interstate TRS Fund. In addition, VRS consumers presently do not pay any long distance charges in connection with a VRS call. Therefore, there is no cost of any kind to the consumer for placing a VRS call. As a practical matter, the Bureau said, the TRS provider is enticing the consumer to make TRS calls that will artificially raise costs to the Interstate TRS Fund, and the provider is doing so by in effect "paying" the consumer to make more calls.

In a separate but related action, the Bureau also issued a Public Notice specifying other marketing and call handling practices by TRS providers that are impermissible under the TRS rules.

On June 30, 2004, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) released the 2004 TRS Report & Order, which contained a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM) seeking comment on, among other things, a speed of answer requirement for the provision of VRS. The speed of answer requirement is currently waived as a mandatory minimum standard for VRS. We have reviewed the comments provided in response to the FNPRM contained in the 2004 TRS Report & Order, and find that they lack specificity on certain elements of a speed of answer rule. Therefore, we seek additional comment on whether a speed of answer rule should be adopted for VRS.

This Order address 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 standards. On February 24, 2005, the one-year waiver of this requirement will expire. This Order clarifies the manner in which TRS providers may comply with this rule; as a result, a waiver of this requirement is no longer necessary.

On February 15, 2005, the California Coalition of Agencies Serving the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (CCASDHH) filed a Petition for Declaratory Ruling on Interoperability, requesting that the Commission prohibit any VRS provider that receives compensation from the Interstate Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) Fund from purposely restricting its deaf and hard-of-hearing customers to a single VRS provider via the software or hardware of their VRS equipment or through exclusivity agreements with those customers.

In the Order on Reconsideration, the Commission granted petitions filed by Sprint Corporation (Sprint) and WorldCom, Inc. (MCI) seeking reconsideration of the Commission's March 14, 2003, IP Relay Reconsideration Order. This matter drives from the April 2002 IP Relay Declaratory Ruling and FNPRM, which recognized IP Relay as a form of telecommunications relay service (TRS), authorized compensation for IP Relay providers from the Interstate TRS Fund, and waived certain mandatory minimum standards as they apply to the provision of IP Relay. The IP Relay Declaratory Ruling and &FNPRM did not, however, waive the requirements to provide hear carry over (HCO) and pay-per-call (900 number) services. Those requirements were subsequently waived in the IP Relay Reconsideration Order, but that order denied Sprint's request that it be compensated from its costs of providing IP Relay prior to the date of that order (i.e., prior to the waiver of the HCO and pay-per-call requirements). Sprint and MCI now seek further reconsideration of the IP Relay Reconsideration Order to the extent it denied Sprint's request for compensation from the Interstate TRS Fund for its provision of IP Relay services prior to the release date of that order (i.e., from July 2002 to March 2003).

On March 11, 2005, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approved for three years the information collection requirements contained in the Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities, Report and Order, Order on Reconsideration, and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, FCC 04-137, 19 FCC Rcd 12475 (rel. June 30, 2005). These information collection requirements relate to annual reporting requirements concerning the TRS mandatory minimum standards, which apply to the providers of TRS. See 47 C.F.R. sections 64.604(a)(3), (a)(3)(iv), (a)(4), (b)(2), and (b)(3) (reporting required if waiver sought of various requirements). These rules will become effective upon publication in the Federal Register.

On April 25, 2005, pursuant to 47 C.F.R. § 64.604c(5)(iii)(H), the National Exchange Carrier Association (NECA), the Interstate Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) Fund Administrator, submitted its annual payment formula and fund size estimate for the Interstate TRS Fund for the period July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006. NECA proposes a carrier contribution factor of 0.00528, and a fund size requirement of $413.3 million. NECA proposes per completed minute compensation rates of $1.312 for traditional TRS and for Internet Protocol (IP) Relay; $1.579 for Speech-to-Speech (STS); and $5.924 for Video Relay Service (VRS).

The purpose of this Public Notice is to remind telecommunications equipment manufacturers and telecommunication service providers subject to Section 255 of the Communications Act of 1934 of their obligation to designate an agent for service of informal and formal complaints received by the FCC. The valid control number for compliance with the designation of points of contact information contained in theses sections is 3060-0833.

The Federal Communications Commission's Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau reminds states and telecommunications relay services (TRS) providers that they must submit their annual consumer complaint log summaries for the 12-month period ending May 31, 2005, on or before July 1, 2005.

This Order adopts interstate TRS compensation rates for the July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006 TRS Fund year. The Commission adopts separate compensation rates for traditional TRS and Internet Protocol (IP) Relay. The Commission also adopts per-minute compensation rates as follows for this fund year: for Speech-to-Speech Services (STS), $1.579; for traditional TRS, $1.440; for IP Relay, $1.278; and for Video Relay Service (VRS), $6.644.

The FCC adopted rules moving the Video Relay Service (VRS) closer to the goal of providing deaf and hard of hearing persons functionally equivalent access to the nation's telephone system. The new rules establish, for the first, mandatory speed of answer requirements for VRS, require VRS to be offered 24 hours a day, seven days a week (24/7), and permit VRS providers to be compensated for providing VRS mail.

The FCC concluded that Spanish translation Video Relay Service (VRS) - in which the communications assistant (CA) translate what is signed in American Sign Language (ASL) into spoken Spanish, and vice versa - is a form of telecommunications relay service (TS) from the Interstate TRS Fund. This decision will allow Spanish-speaking people who are deaf to communicate with others who speak only Spanish and allow them to integrate more fully into society.

The FCC clarified that two-line captioned telephone services is a type of telecommunications relay service (TRS) eligible for compensation from the Interstate TRS Fund. The Commission also adopted the allocation methodology proposed by the National Exchange Carrier Association (NECA), the administrator of the Interstate TRS Fund, for determining the number of inbound two-line captioned telephone minutes that should be compensated from that Fund. This mechanism is similar to the methodology presently used for 800 and 900 call minutes.

The Order on Reconsideration addressed petitions for reconsideration of the 2004 TRS Report and Order and, in so doing, reverses the Commission's conclusion that translation from American Sign Language (ASL) into Spanish is not a telecommunications relay service (TRS) eligible for compensation from the Interstate TRS Fund. Based on the Commission's review of the record on this issue, the Commission concludes that non-shared language Spanish translation Video Relay Service (VRS) - i.e., relay service in which the CA translate what is signed in ASL into spoken Spanish, and vice versa - is a form of TRS compensable from the Interstate TRS Fund. Therefore, although we do not mandate this service, providers offering ASL-to-Spanish VRS may be compensated from the Interstate TRS Fund.

In the Report and Order, the Commission addresses three issues related to the provision of Video Relay Service (VRS), a form of telecommunications relay service (TRS): (1) the adoption of a speed of answer rule for VRS; (2) whether VRS should be required to be offered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (24/7); and (3) whether VRS providers may be compensated for providing VRS Mail. As set forth in the Report and Order, the Commission concludes that because speed of answer is central to the provision of "functionally equivalent" TRS, and VRS is now a widely used - if not the preferred - form of TRS, VRS providers must provide service in compliance with the speed of answer rule adopted herein to be eligible for compensation from the Interstate TRS Fund. The Report and Order also concludes that VRS must be offered 24/7 and that VRS providers may be compensated for providing VRS mail. The Report and Order also closes TRS Docket No. 98-67 which opened in 1998.

In the Order, the Commission grants a request for clarification that two-line captioned telephone service is a type of telecommunications relay service (TRS) eligible for compensation from the Interstate TRS Fund. The Commission also grants the National Exchange Carrier Association, Inc. (NECA) proposed allocation methodology for determining the number of inbound two-line captioned telephone minutes that should be compensated from the Interstate TRS Fund.

In a Report and Order, FCC 05-140, released on July 19, 2005, the Commission closed CC Docket No. 98-67, a docket for telecommunications relay services (TRS) opened in 1998. Filings in CC Docket No. 98-67 will be incorporated into the current docket, CG Docket No. 03-123. Materials submitted in CC Docket No. 98-67 need not be resubmitted.

In an Order, the Commission finds that the offering of free or discount long distance service to telecommunications relay services (TRS) consumers as an incentive for a consumer to use a particular TRS provider's relay service, or as an incentive for a consumer to make more or longer TRS calls, constitutes an impermissible financial incentive in violation of Section 225 of the Communications Act.

On August 2, 2005, pursuant to the Commission's directive in the Two-Line Captioned Telephone Order, the Interstate Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) Fund Administrator, the National Exchange Carrier Association (NECA), submitted the proposed allocation factor for inbound two-line captioned telephone calls for compensation from the Interstate TRS Fund for the period July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006.

The Commission issues this Public Notice to remind VRS providers, consumers, and businesses that Video Relay Service (VRS) cannot be used as a substitute for "in-person" interpreting services or for Video Remote Interpreting (VRI).

The Commission issues this Public Notice to reiterate that, under applicable TRS regulations, TRS providers cannot refuse to make an outbound call requested by a TRS user, even if the called party has requested that TRS calls to his or her number be blocked.

On October 31, 2005, a Petition for Rulemaking to Mandate Captioned Telephone Relay Service and Approve IP Captioned Telephone Relay Service was filed by 13 organizations generally representing consumer advocates and persons with hearing or speech disabilities. The petition asks the Commission to initiate a rulemaking for the purpose of making captioned telephone service a mandatory form of TRS and approving IP captioned telephone service as eligible for compensation from the Interstate TRS Fund.

In the NPRM, the Commission addresses the issue of access to emergency services for Internet-based forms of Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS), namely Video Relay Service (VRS) and Internet Protocol (IP) Relay. The Commission seeks comment on ways in which it may ensure that the communication assistant (CA) will be able to call the appropriate PSAP when a VRS or IP Relay user calls the relay provider and asks the CA to call emergency services. The Commission also seeks comment on whether, and if so, how requirements ensuring that persons using VRS and IP Relay will have access to emergency services might affect the TRS funding mechanism.

In this Order, the Commission adopts the National Exchange Carrier Association, Inc. (NECA) proposed interstate allocation factor of 11 percent. Therefore, the Commission directs NECA to compensate providers of inbound two-line captioned telephone calls from the Interstate TRS Fund pursuant to the 11 percent interstate allocation factor retroactively to October 14, 2005 to June 30, 2006.

In this Order, the Commission extends the waiver for one year in view of continued technological challenges to determining the geographic location of TRS calls that originate via the Internet, and the November 30, 2005, VRS 911 NPRM addressing this issue. Accordingly, the waiver of the emergency call handling requirement for VRS providers will expire on January 1, 207, or upon the release of an order addressing this issue, whichever comes first.

This Order addresses the issue of the certification and oversight of TRS providers seeking compensation from the Interstate TRS Fund raised in the NPRM in the Second Improved TRS Order, and the FNPRM in the 2004 TRS Report and Order. It also addresses the related issue raised in Hands On Video Relay Services, Inc.'s Hands On petition for reconsideration of the 2004 TRS Report and Order, which challenges the Commission's dismissal of Hands On's application for certification as a VRS provider eligible for compensation from the Interstate TRS Fund.

2004

On January 27, 2004, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approved for three years the information collection requirements contained in the Second Report and Order, Order on Reconsideration. See OMB Control No. 3060-1047. The Second Report and Order, Order on Reconsideration also adopted or modified regulations that do not require OMB approval, and states that such regulations become effective 6 months from the date of publication of the Second Report and Order, Order on Reconsideration in the Federal Register. Accordingly, these new or modified rules will become effective on February 24, 2004.

This Order addresses two issues concerning the Commission's oversight of the provision of telecommunications relay services (TRS). First, in the 2nd Improved TRS Order & NPRM, The Commission required TRS providers to offer three-way calling functionality as a mandatory minimum standard for TRS. This requirement become effective February 24, 2004, but some providers assert that it is not presently possible for a TRS facility to provide this service, at least to the extent the facility is required to set up the three-way call. Second, as a result of the significant growth of monthly minutes of use of Video Relay Service (VRS) and IP Relay over initial projections, the Interstate TRS Fund is facing a shortfall in funds so that, without additional funding, it will likely not be able to compensate the providers in full for their provision of eligible TRS minutes during the present fund year.

On February 20, 2004, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approved for three years the information collection requirements contained in the Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech

On May 3, 2004, pursuant to 47 C.F.R Section 64.605(c)(5)(iii)(H), the National Exchange Carrier Association (NECA), the present Interstate Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) Fund Administrator, submitted the annual payment formula and fund size estimated for the Interstate TRS Fund for the period July 1, 2004 through June 30, 2005. NECA proposes a carrier contribution factor of 0.00356, and a fund size requirement of $289.4 million. NECA proposes per complete minute compensation rates of: $1.349 for traditional TRS and for Internet Protocol (IP) Relay; $1.440 for Speech-to-Speech (STS); and $7.293 for Video Relay Service (VRS).

The FCC's Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau reminds states and TRS providers that they must submit their annual consumer complaint log summaries for the 12-month period ending May 31, 2004, on or before July 1, 2004.

The FCC has taken the latest in a series of steps to ensure that consumers with hearing and speech disabilities have convenient and affordable access to telephone services through use of the telecommunications relay services (TRS). This action is a further step toward fulfilling the goals of Title IV of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).

The FCC has been working with the Department of Health and Human Services to clarify that the use of TRS to facilitate telephone calls between health care professionals and patients, when one of the parties to the call has a hearing or speech disability, does not violate the Privacy Rule of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.

The FCC has recently received several inquires concerning the appropriate use of IP Relay Service, a form of TRS, and issues this Public Notice to provide guidance to consumers, TRS providers, and merchants that conducts business via telephone. In addition, this Public Notice is intended to alert the public regarding the fraudulent use of IP Relay Service, and to suggest steps they can take to avoid becoming victims.

The purpose of this Public Notice is to remind telecommunications equipment manufacturers and telecommunications service providers subject to Section 255 of the Communications Act of 1934 of their obligation to designate an agent for service of informal and formal complaints received by the FCC

On May 3, 2004, the National Exchange Carrier Association, Inc. (NECA), the Interstate Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) Fund Administrator, filed its annual Interstate TRS Fund Payment Formula and Fund Size Estimate for the period of July 1, 2004, to June 30, 2005. NECA proposes TRS provider compensation rates of $1.349 per-minute for interstate traditional TRS and interstate and intrastate Internet Protocol (IP) Relay, $1.440 per-minute for interstate Speech-to-Speech Service (STS), and $7.293 per-minute for interstate and intrastate Video Relay Service (VRS). Based on these figures, NECA also proposes a total fund size requirement of $289,352,701, and a carrier contribution factor of 0.00356, for July 1, 2004, through June 30, 2005, fund year.

In this Report and Order, Order on Reconsideration, and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Order) the Commission addresses cost recovery and other matters relating to the provision of TRS pursuant to Title IV of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). This Order contains, first, a Report and Order addressing: (1) cost recovery issues arising from the TRS Cost Recovery MO&O and FNPRM; (2) cost recovery issues arising from the IP Relay Declaratory Ruling & FNPRM; (3) issues arising from the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking contained in the Second Improved TRS Order & NPRM; (4) petitions seeking extension of the waivers set forth in the VRS Waiver Order; (5) the 711 Petition; (6) the petition by a provider of VRS for "certification" as a TRS provider eligible to receive compensation from the Interstate TRS Fund; ( and (7) the petition for limited waiver concerning VRS and interpreting in state legal proceedings. This Order also includes and Order on Reconsideration addressing petitions for reconsideration of three TRS matters: (1) the petitions for reconsideration of the June 30, 2003 Bureau TRS Order with respect to the per-minute compensation rate for VRS; (2) the Second Improved TRS Order & NPRM; and (3) the Coin Sent-Paid Fifth Report & Order. Finally, this Order contains a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM) seeking comment on various TRS-related matters relating to two Internet-based forms of TRS, IP Relay and VRS. We also seek comment on issues concerning TRS Advisory Council and the abuse of communications assistants (CAs) handling TRS calls. We have concluded that it is in the interest of administrative efficiency to consolidate the various proceedings into this Order.

By this Public Notice, the FCC reminds TRS providers that offer captioned telephone VCO service that the one-year waiver of the requirement that they offer access via 711 to captioned telephone VCO service for inbound calls made to a captioned telephone user expires at midnight on July 31, 2004.

On March 31, 2004, Hands On Video Relay Service, Inc. filed a Petition for Declaratory Ruling, requesting that the Commission declare that the provision of Video VRS Mail to deaf and hard of hearing persons is eligible for compensation from the Interstate TRS Fund.

This Pubic Notice responds to an annual report required by the October 25, 2002 Fifth Coin Sent-Paid Report and Order, which adopted measures to ensure the availability of payphone services for TRS users that are functionally equivalent to traditional payphone services available for non-TRS users.

The Federal Communications Commission today joins with other government agencies and the American people to observe the 14th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), adopted July 26, 1990. According to the Department of Commerce, one in five Americans is disabled and one in ten is severely disabled. Some 50 million people have some type of long lasting condition or disability. The ADA has enormously improved the lives of people with disabilities. Of special importance to the FCC, Title IV of the ADA ensures convenient and affordable access to telecommunications to the 27 million Americans with hearing or speech disabilities.

On June 30, 2004, the FCC released a Report and Order, Order on Reconsideration, and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM), FCC 04-137, seeking comment on cost recovery and other matters relating to the provision of telecommunications relay services (TRS) pursuant to Title IV of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). Comments relating to the rulemaking are due 45 days after the FNPRM is published in Federal Register, and reply comments are due 75 days following publication in the Federal Register. Reply comments are filed after the comments are received and offer an opportunity to "reply" to the original comments. The FNPRM was published in the Federal Register on September 1, 2004 (69 FR 53382). Therefore, comments are due on October 18, 2004, and reply comments are due on November 15, 2004.

In this Public Notice, the Commission seeks oppositions and replies to an opposition on the petitions for reconsiderations filed on the behalf of CSD, Hands On Video Relay Service, Inc. the National Video Relay Service Coalition, and Hamilton Relay, Inc. (the Petitioners). In the petitions for reconsideration, the Petitioners requests the Commission reconsider several TRS rules adopted in the June 30, 2004 Report and Order, Order on Reconsideration, and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. Also in this Public Notice, the Commission extends the opposition and reply dates set for CSD's and Hands On's petitions for reconsideration to coincide with the dates set forth in this Public Notice for all four petitions challenging the June 30, 2004 Report and Order, Order on Reconsideration, and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. Oppositions are due on or before November 15, 2004 and Replies to an opposition are due on or before November 30, 2004.

On July 26, 2004, Telco Group, Inc. filed a petition for declaratory ruling or, in the alternative, a petition for waiver to exclude international revenues from the revenue base to calculate payments to the Interstate TRS Fund. Telco Group, Inc. requests that the Commission exclude international revenues from the TRS Fund payment calculations at least for those carriers whose international revenues comprise a significant proportion of total interstate and international revenues. Telco Group, Inc. also requests a stay of its payment obligation pending the Commission's decision.

On February 24, 2005, the one-year waiver of the requirement that TRS providers (including providers of captioned telephone service) offer three-way calling will expire. The Commission seeks comment on whether TRS providers will be able to offer this feature as of that date, or whether it is necessary to extend this waiver. The Commission also seek comment on whether, instead of a waiver, the requirement might be modified or clarified and, if so, how.

On November 12, 2004, the Office of Management and Budget issued a Notice of Action approving the Federal Communications Commission's request for an extension for the information collection requirements contained in 47 CFR Section 68.5 (application for waiver of hearing aid compatibility requirements). See OMB Control No. 3060-0422. The new expiration date of the information collection requirements contained in 47 CFR Section 68.5 is November 30, 2007.

This Public Notice seeks comment on the Request for Clarification filed by Ultratec, Inc., Sprint Corporation and Hamilton Relay, Inc. on December 7, 2004 and the Petition for Declaratory Ruling filed by the National Exchange Carrier Association, Inc. on December 10, 2004 ("the Petitioners"). The Petitioners request that the Commission approve its proposed methodology for the jurisdictional allocation of costs for the provision of inbound two-line captioned telephone voice carry over (VCO) service and clarification that a two-line VCO service called two-line captioned VCO service is a form of telecommunications relay service (TRS).

The Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau modified the TRS compensation rates for the 2004-2005 fund year as set forth in the 2004 Bureau TRS Rate Order, retroactive to July 1, 2004.

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: Alabama, District of Columbia, Massachusetts, Mississippi, North Dakota, Alaska, Illinois, Minnesota, New York, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Washington.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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 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, Wyoming.

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.

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.

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.

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 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, South Carolina

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

2002

This Public Notice seeks comment on NECA January 4, 2002 supplemental submission proposing to modify the reimbursement rates for traditional TRS, video relay services (VRS) and speech to speech (STS) relay services. NECA recommends increasing the traditional TRS rate from $1.309 to $1.395 per completed interstate conversation minute, increasing the VRS rate from $7.449 to $9.614 ad decreasing the STS rate from $2.62 to $2.469 for minutes incurred from August 1, 2001 through June 30, 2002.

Notice that the Consumer/Disability Telecommunications Advisory Committee will hold its next meeting on March 15, 2002 Commission's headquarters building in Washington, DC 20554.

The Public Forum and Technology Expo on TRS originally scheduled for October 10, 2001 has been rescheduled to Friday May 3, 2002.

Announces the agenda for the Forum that was not finalized in the Public Notice DA 02-532.

Announcing that providers for Internet Protocol (IP) relay service are eligible for reimbursement from the interstate Telecommunication Relay Service (TRS) fund, according to the FCC. The decision paves the way for increased use of TRS by all Americans who will now be only a mouse click away from this important disability access service.

The Commission authorizes Internet Protocol relay service as a recognizable TRS service. The Commission finds that IP Relay falls within the statutory definition of TRS and those IP Relay providers are eligible to recover their costs in accordance with Section 225 of the Communications Act of 1934.

In this Report and Order, the Commission takes further steps to improve the ability of public safety answering points (PSAPs) to respond quickly and efficiently to calls for emergency assistance made from a wireless mobile telephone. Specifically, the Commission address issues associated with the inability of a PSAP to call back a 911 caller who is disconnected when the caller that caller is using a non-service-initialized wireless telephone.

The Commission informs the states that they are accepting applications for the renewal of state TRS program certifications from July 26, 2002 until October 1, 2002.

This Order approves the modification of reimbursement rates for interstate TRS, VRS, and STS services submitted by NECA. Effective August 1, 2001 through June 30, 2002, the interstate TRS reimbursement rate will be $1.395 per conversation minute, the VRS reimbursement rate will be $2.469 per conversation minute.

The Bureau reminds the states and TRS providers that they must submit their annual consumer complaint log summaries for the 12-month period ending May 31, 2002 on or before July 1, 2002.

This Public Notice announces the proposed contribution factor, payment formula, and fund size estimate for the Interstate TRS Fund, for the funding year running from July 1, 2002 to June 30, 2003. NECA proposes a payment rate for traditional TRS of $1.528 per completed interstate conversation minute, a STS reimbursement rate of $4.045 per completed interstate conversation minute, and VRS reimbursement rate of $17.044 per completed interstate conversation minute. NECA proposed a contribution factor of 0.00080.

The Commission seeks public comment on whether the Commission should attempt to devise a method for allocating IP Relay calls as intrastate or interstate.

The FCC ordered that a hearing be held to determine whether a purported TRS provider unlawfully collected or attempted to collect over $10 million from the national TRS Fund.

In this Order to Show Cause and Notice of Opportunity for Hearing, the Commission find that an evidentiary hearing is required to determine whether (1) the Commission should revoke the operating authority of the Public Companies, (2) the Public Companies and the principal or principals of the Public companies should be ordered to cease and desist from any future provision of interstate common carrier services without the prior consent of the Commission, (3) the Public Companies are entitle to any of the TRS fund monies that they requested or received from the TRS Fund, and (4) a forfeiture against any or all of the Public Companies is warranted and, if so, the amount of the forfeiture.

On April 12, 2002, Ultratec, Inc. filed a petition requesting clarification of the Commission's TRS rules with respect to the provision and reimbursement of captioned telephone, an enhanced VCO service. The petition also seeks wavier of certain TRS mandatory minimum standards that do not apply to this service.

This Public Notice seeks comments on the proposed clarification on the procedures for routing emergency calls by TRS centers. This notice also seeks comments on the proposal that requires TRS providers to use a system for emergency calls that would automatically and immediately transfer a caller to the most appropriate Public Safety Answering Point.

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 TRS Fund to relay service providers for all TRS calls placed from wireless telecommunications devices. The petition also requests that the Commission initiate a rulemaking to decide how relay calls should be reimbursed where the jurisdiction of the call cannot be determined from the automatic number identification system.

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: California, Idaho, Kansas, Rhode Island, Utah, Georgia, Indiana, Missouri, South Dakota West Virginia.

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: Kentucky, Montana, Nevada, North Carolina, Tennessee, Louisiana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Oregon, Vermont.

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: Arizona, Delaware, Iowa, Virginia, Maryland, Colorado, Hawaii, Ohio, Wyoming, Wisconsin.

The Commission eliminates the requirement that common carriers provide coin sent-paid telecommunications relay service (TRS) from payphones on the grounds that it is currently technological infeasible to provide coin sent-paid relay service through payphones. The Commission requires common carriers to provide local payphone calls made through TRS centers to TRS users on a cost-free basis. The Commission also, encourages specific outreach and education programs to inform TRS users of their options when placing calls from payphones.

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: Arkansas, Florida, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Maine, Mississippi, New Mexico, Puerto Rico.

In this Public Notice, the Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on proposed guidelines for the recovery of costs from the Interstate Fund associated with Internet Protocol TRS. The Interstate TRS Fund Advisory Council filed the proposed guidelines with the Commission on October 9, 2002, in accordance with the Commission's direction in the April 2002 Declaratory Ruling and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

1999

The Commission requests proposals from parties interested in being appointed TRS Fund Administrator at the end of the current administrator's term, and comments on whether the Commission should authorize reimbursement of an additional TRS advisory committee member in the category for the hearing and speech disability community.

The FCC hosts a public forum on 711 access. The goal of the forum will be to identify the steps that must be taken to implement 711 access to TRS, as well as any obstacles to implementation and how those obstacles can be resolved.

The goal of the forum will be to identify the steps that must be taken to implement 711 access to TRS, as well as any obstacles to implementation and how those obstacles can be resolved.

The Commission reappointed NECA to be the Administrator for another four-year term. In addition, the Commission authorized the Administrator to add an additional reimbursable position to the Advisory Council that represents the hearing disability community and another representative from the speech disability community.

In August 1998, the Bureau suspended enforcement of the Commission's rules requiring telecommunications relay services to be capable of handling coin sent-paid calls by August 26, 1998. The Bureau's one-year suspension of enforcement of this requirement expired on August 26, 1999. In this Order, the Commission suspended enforcement of the coin sent-paid requirement for one additional year, until (August 26, 2000).

The Bureau reminds all common carriers of their obligation to provide (allow) access to their services via TRS service throughout the area(s) in which they offer telecommunications services.

The Bureau suspends its own motion requiring TRS payment formulas and revenue requirements for the year 2000 be filed with the FCC. This is waived until May 1, 2000.

1998

The FCC will hold a demonstration on Thursday, February 19, 1998 at 9:30 am in the Commission Meeting Room in conjunction with its February Open Commission meeting.

The Commission today proposed ways to enhance the quality of existing telecommunications relay services (TRS) and expand those services for better use by the 2.5 million Americans with speech disabilities. Today's proposals are intended to promote access to telecommunications and improve the overall effectiveness of both interstate and intrastate TRS programs.

This Notice proposes the amendments to the TRS rules that enhance the quality of TRS service and broaden the potential universal use of TRS service.

Publix Network Corporation applied to the Commission for state TRS Certification.

State of Hawaii, Oregon, Tennessee, Kentucky, , Washington, Arizona, Delaware, South Carolina, New Jersey, Maryland, Wyoming, Puerto Rico, Indiana, Montana, Vermont, Idaho, Colorado, South Dakota, Connecticut, Louisiana, Nebraska, California, New York, District of Columbia, Texas and North Dakota were granted state TRS certification.

State of Florida, Michigan, Illinois, Mississippi, Utah, Kansas, Alaska, New Mexico, Ohio, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Arkansas were granted state TRS certification.

The Common Carrier Bureau announces that for the purpose of CC Docket No. 98-67 proceeding, rules that require comments to be filed on paper are hereby waived, and parties are encouraged to file comments electronically.

State of Georgia, Pennsylvania, Maine, Missouri, Oklahoma, Iowa and West Virginia were granted state TRS certification.

State of Virginia, Massachusetts, North Carolina and Wisconsin were granted state TRS certification.

State of Alabama was granted state TRS certification.

Publix Network Corporation was granted state TRS certification.

State of Nevada was granted state TRS certification.

On August 21, 1997, the Common Carrier Bureau suspended enforcement of the Commission's rule requiring TRS to be capable of handling coin sent-paid calls by August 26, 1997. The Bureau's one-year suspension of enforcement expired on August 26, 1998. In this Order, the Bureau further suspended the coin sent-paid requirement for one additional year until (August 26, 1999).

NECA has filed an annual report with Commission that includes the payment formula for the calendar year 1999 and the Fund size estimate for the period April 1999 through March 2000.

This Order approves NECA's proposed payment rate to TRS providers for 1999. In addition, it calculates the carriers' contribution factor to the TRS Fund for April 26, 1999 through March 26, 2000 period and adopts a contribution factor of 00038. It also adopts the 1999 TRS Fund Worksheet, FCC Form 431.

The Order in proceeding DA 98-2481, released December 2, 1998, is correct by replacing the second sentence in paragraph 11 with the following: The contribution factor is based on a projected funding base for 1998 gross carrier interstate revenues of $100.8 billion, projected 1998 TRS Fund outlays of $43.3 million, a surplus carryover of $9.3 million, and a safety margin of 10 percent, for a net 1999 funding requirement of $38.3 million.

1997

The Commission issues Notice of Inquiry seeking comment on the effectiveness of the current TRS program.

This Notice seek comment on the effectiveness of the current TRS program. It also seeks comments on new technologies and possible rule changes that could improve TRS.

The Commission announces that it has made the abbreviation 711 available for TRS calls.

The Commission seeks information regarding the feasibility of implementing 711 for TRS access.

The Commission granted United States Telephone Association's request for an extension of the filing deadline for the report on the industry team's proposed alternative plan for access to Coin Sent Paid phone service. The deadline was extended to March 12, 1997.

A group of industry representatives filed two reports evaluating the effectiveness of an "alternative plan" designed to make payphones accessible to TRS users as required by the Common Carrier Bureau's Memorandum Opinion and Order. The industry representatives of the TRS Industry Team filed these status reports on August 26, 1996 and on March 12, 1997 which were filed twelve and eighteen months respectively after the Order. The TRS Industry Team recommends that the Commission make the alternative plan permanent.

Notice is hereby given that the Commission will accept applications for renewal of state TRS program certifications from July 26, 1997 to October 1, 1997. Applications for initial certification also will be accepted during this period

The Bureau suspends enforcement of the coin sent-paid rule for one additional year until August 26, 1998. During the one-year suspension of the coin sent-paid requirement, the Bureau intends to recommend that the Commission issue a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and a Report and Order on the coin sent-paid issue. During this time, TRS providers and common carriers will continue to follow the Alternative Plan as adopted in the August 1995 Suspension Order, as modified by this Order.

On August 28, 1997, Florida Public Service Commission filed a petition for relief in the matter of the interstate TRS Fund.

State of Florida and Hawaii applied to the Commission for state TRS Certification.

State of Alabama, Michigan, Oregon, and Georgia applied to the Commission for state TRS Certification.

State of Virginia, Tennessee, Illinois, Nevada, Kentucky, Washington, Arizona, Delaware, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Utah, South Carolina, Maine, New Jersey, Maryland, Wyoming, Massachusetts, Missouri, Puerto Rico, Indiana, Kansas, Oklahoma, Montana, Vermont, Idaho, Colorado, South Dakota, Iowa, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Minnesota applied to the Commission for state TRS Certification.

The National Exchange Association (NECA) has file an annual report with the Commission that includes the payment formula for the calendar year 1998 and the Fund size estimated for the period April 1998 through March 1999.

State of North Carolina, California, District of Columbia and Texas applied to the Commission for state TRS Certification.

State of Nebraska and North Dakota applied to the Commission for state TRS Certification.

On October 15, 1997, the Oregon Public Utility Commission (OPUC) filed a petition for declaratory ruling regarding the Oregon TRS program, requesting that the Commission direct US West Communications, Inc., a local exchange carrier in Oregon, to provide a free White Page listing (and accompanying Directory Assistance data base listing) for each of the three additional Oregon TRS numbers (Voice, ASCII, and Spanish-speaking callers).

Notice is hereby given that the following states have applied to the Commission for State TRS Certification: Alaska and New York

OPUC and US West state that they mutually resolved the White Page listing matter. The Commission accepted their joint motion to withdraw OPUC's petition and dismissed the matter.

State of Ohio applied to the Commission for state TRS Certification.

State of Louisiana and Rhode Island applied to the Commission for state TRS Certification.

State of Arkansas applied to the Commission for state TRS Certification.

State of New Hampshire applied to the Commission for state TRS Certification

The Commission approves NECA's proposed payment rate to TRS providers for 1998. The Commission also calculates the carriers' contribution factor to the TRS Fund for the April 26, 1998 through March 26, 1999 period, and adopts a contribution factor of 00039. The Commission also adopts the 1998 TRS Fund Worksheet, FCC Form 431.

1996

The Commission approves NECA's proposed payment rate for the April 26, 1997 through March 26, 1998 period, and adopts contribution factors as well as the proposed 1997 TRS Fund Worksheet, FCC Form 431.

1995

On February 3, 1995, the Commission issued a public notice requesting proposals from parties interested in being appointed as the TRS Fund administrator at the end of the current Administrator's term. The public notice also requested comment on whether the TRS advisory committee should be expanded by adding two additional reimbursable positions for state relay administrators. The current Administrator, NECA, filed its proposal to be reappointed for the next term. NECA was reappointed Administrator for a four-year term. In addition, NECA was authorized to add up to two additional reimbursable positions to the Advisory Committee for state relay administrators.

This Order further suspends enforcement of the coin sent-paid requirement for one month until August 26, 1995.

Seven petitions were filed concerning a Commission requirement that TRS must be capable of handling coin sent-paid calls by July 26, 1995. In this Memorandum Opinion and Order, the Commission finds that the provision of functionally equivalent TRS coins sent-paid service is not technically feasible at this time.

The Common Carrier Bureau adopts a plan to ensure that payphones are accessible for persons with hearing or speech disabilities. The plan will be in effect until August 26, 1997, at which time the Commission will determine what further action should be taken regarding TRS coin sent-paid calls.

The Commission approves NECA's payment formula for the April 26, 1996 through March 26, 1997 period, and adopts contribution factor as well as the proposed 1996 TRS Fund Worksheet, FCC Form 431.

1994

Based on NECA's estimates, the Commission has calculated the contributor factor for the period April 26, 1994 through March 25, 1995. This Order adopts the proposed contribution factor of .00030 percent of annual gross interstate revenues for that period as well as the 1994 TRS Fund Worksheet, FCC Form 431.

Entities, including, the National Center for Law and Deafness, and Telecommunications for the Deaf, Inc. filed a joint petition asking the Commission to direct reservation of an N11 Code for nationwide access to TRS. Comment period established for this proceeding.

NECA filed its annual report. The report includes the proposed TRS payment formula for the 1995 calendar year and the fund size estimate for the period April 1995 through March 1996. In response to NECA's report, three comments and four replies were filed. The Commission approves NECA's proposed payment rate for 1995 through March 1996 period, and adopts this contribution factor as well as the 1995 TRS Worksheet, FCC Form 431.

1993

This item addresses five petitions for reconsideration and clarification of the TRS rules implementing Title IV of the ADA. The Order provides that interstate TRS costs shall be recovered utilizing a shared-funding mechanism, and proposes rules setting forth this cost recovery plan. The Commission proposed that, effective July 26, 1993, National Exchange Carrier Association, Inc administers the interstate cost recovery TRS Fund.

The Commission imposes new annual reporting requirements on TRS providers and TRS Fund contributors in connection with the implementation of a shared-funding (TRS Fund).

This MO&O addresses the Request for Extension of Time for Special Temporary Relief filed by Southwestern Bell Telephone Company on July 26, 1993. For the reason noted in the MO&O, the Request was dismissed on procedural grounds.

This MO&O approves the payment formula, fund size and payment schedule for the TRS Fund. This item also resolves four petitions for reconsideration and a request for a stay of certain TRS rules.

The National Center for Law and Deafness and Telecommunications for the Deaf, Inc. ask the Commission to adopt rules that would direct assignment or reservation of a uniform nationwide N11 number - 711-to facilitate access by individuals with hearing and speech disabilities.

Clarification of the previous press release.

This Order addresses the requests for suspension of enforcement of Section 64.604(a) (3), filed by U.S. West, BellSouth, Ameritech, NYNEX, Pacific Bell and Nevada Bell, United States Telephone Association, Bell Atlantic, Southern New England Telephone Company, AT&T, Rochester Telephone Corporation, United England Telephone Companies and Central Telephone Companies, Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, Sprint, American Public Communications Council, GTE, and Cincinnati Bell Telephone. The rules require, inter alia, that telecommunications relay services (TRS) be capable of handling any type of call, including coin-sent paid calls. The Order suspends enforcement of the requirement that TRS shall be capable of handling coin-sent paid calls July 26, 1995.

1992

The regulations proposed in this proceeding would require local exchange carriers to provide abbreviated dialing arrangements.

1991

Order adopts TRS rules and requires that each common carrier providing telephone voice transmission services shall, no later than July 26, 1993, provide, throughout the area in which it offers service, telecommunications relay services, individually, through designees, through a competitively selected vendor, or in concert with other carriers.

1990