Dialing 711 From A Private Branch Exchange
FCC rules require all telephone
companies (including wireline, wireless, and payphone
providers) that operate private branch exchanges (PBXs)
to implement three-digit 711 dialing for access to TRS.
A PBX is a private telephone system within an
organization that switches calls between internal users
and allows users to share a certain number of external
phone lines. PBX operators are required to modify their
equipment to enable 711 dialing to ensure that everyone
benefits from abbreviated dialing and consumers have
easy access to TRS.
Callers from locations served by
PBXs may be required to dial 9 or another prefix before
entering the 711 code or placing an outside call. The
FCC encourages PBX operators to work with telephone
companies and TRS providers to facilitate 711 dialing
for users.
The FCC recently determined that
providers of interconnected Voice over Internet Protocol
(VoIP) service also must offer 711 abbreviated dialing.
911 and 711
Dialing 911 is the most familiar and
effective way Americans have to find help in an
emergency. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
requires all Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) to
provide direct, equal access to their emergency response
services for people with disabilities who use TTYs or
other devices. Therefore, in the event of an emergency,
TTY users should call 911 directly, and not make a TRS
call via 711.
Filing a Complaint with the FCC
If you are unable to reach a TRS
operator by dialing 711, you can file a complaint with
the FCC. There is no charge for filing a complaint. You
can file your complaint using an on-line complaint form
found at
esupport.fcc.gov/complaints.htm. You can also file
your complaint with the FCC’s Consumer Center by
e-mailing
fccinfo@fcc.gov; calling 1-888-CALL-FCC
(1-888-225-5322) voice or 1-888-TELL-FCC
(1-888-835-5322) TTY; faxing 1-866-418-0232; or writing
to:
Federal Communications
Commission
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau
Consumer Inquiries and Complaints Division
445 12th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20554.
What to Include in Your Complaint
The best way to provide all the
information the FCC needs to process your complaint is
to complete fully the on-line complaint form. When you
open the on-line complaint form, you will be asked a
series of questions that will take you to the particular
section of the form you need to complete. If you do not
use the on-line complaint form, your complaint, at a
minimum, should indicate:
-
your name, address, e-mail address, and phone
number where you can be reached;
-
whether you are filing a complaint on behalf of
another party, and if so, the party’s name, address,
email address, day time phone number, and your
relationship to the party;
-
preferred format or method of
response (letter, fax voice phone call, e-mail, TRS,
TTY, ASCII text, audio recording, or Braille);
-
that your complaint is about
accessing TRS;
-
the name, address, and
telephone number (if known) of the company or
companies involved with your complaint; and
-
a brief description of your
complaint and the resolution you are seeking, and a
full description of the equipment or service you are
complaining about, including date of purchase, use,
or attempt to use.
For More
Information
For
information about other telecommunications
issues, visit the FCC’s Consumer & Governmental
Affairs Bureau Web site at
www.fcc.gov/cgb, or contact the FCC’s
Consumer Center using the information provided
for filing a complaint. |
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