COMMENT SOUGHT ON APPLICATION OF CC OPPORTUNITIES, LLC, AND CLEARCAPTIONS, LLC, FOR CONDITIONAL CERTIFICATION AS A PROVIDER OF INTERNET PROTOCOL CAPTIONED TELEPHONE SERVICE . (DA No. 24-52). (Dkt No 03-123). Comments Due: 2024-02-06. Reply Comments Due: 2024-02-16. CGB. Contact: William Wallace, at: (202) 418-2716; email: William.Wallace@fcc.gov. Action by: Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau. DA-24-52A1.docx DA-24-52A1.pdf DA-24-52A1.txt
TELECOMMUNICATIONS RELAY SERVICES AND SPEECH-TO-SPEECH SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH HEARING AND SPEECH DISABILITIES. Order granting Rogervoice a two-year conditional certification as a provider of Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service on a fully automatic basis.. (Dkt No 03-123). Action by: Chief, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau. Adopted: 2024-01-17 by ORDER. (DA No. 24-48). CGB. Contact: William Wallace, at: (202) 418-2716; email: William.Wallace@fcc.gov. DA-24-48A1.docx DA-24-48A1.pdf DA-24-48A1.txt
TELECOMMUNICATIONS RELAY SERVICES AND SPEECH-TO-SPEECH SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH HEARING AND SPEECH DISABILITIES. Order granting NexTalk, Inc. a two-year conditional certification as a provider of Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service on a fully automatic basis.. (Dkt No 03-123). Action by: Chief, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau. Adopted: 2024-01-17 by ORDER. (DA No. 24-49). CGB. Contact: Ike Ofobike, at: (202) 418-1028; email: Ike.Ofobike@fcc.gov. DA-24-49A1.docx DA-24-49A1.pdf DA-24-49A1.txt
TELECOMMUNICATIONS RELAY SERVICES AND SPEECH-TO-SPEECH SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH HEARING AND SPEECH DISABILITIES; STRUCTURE AND PRACTICES OF THE VIDEO RELAY SERVICE; PETITION FOR RULEMAKING AND INTERIM WAIVER OF CONVO COMMUNICATIONS, LLC. This item temporarily extends current waivers and updates VRS rules for at-home call handling and the use of contract CAs. It also updates VRS travel notification requirements and adopts a technical amendment to the IP Relay compensation rules. . (Dkt No 03-123 10-51). Action by: the Commission . Adopted: 2023-12-19 by R&O. (FCC No. 23-116). CGB. FCC-23-116A1.docx FCC-23-116A1.pdf FCC-23-116A1.txt
TELECOMMUNICATIONS RELAY SERVICES AND SPEECH-TO-SPEECH SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH HEARING AND SPEECH DISABILITIES; STRUCTURE AND PRACTICES OF THE VIDEO RELAY SERVICE PROGRAM . FCC waives the August 31, 2023 expiration of current compensation levels for video relay service (VRS), and extends these levels through September 30, 2023.. (Dkt No 03-123 10-51). Action by: By the Chief, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau. Adopted: 2023-08-31 by ORDER. (DA No. 23-801). CGB. Contact: Michael Scott, at: (202) 418-1264; email: Michael.Scott@fcc.gov. DA-23-801A1.docx DA-23-801A1.pdf DA-23-801A1.txt
FCC Announces Compliance and Comment Dates for Interoperable Video Conferencing Services Proceeding
Comments Due: September 6, 2023
Reply Comments Due: October 6, 2023
On June 12, 2023, the FCC released a Report and Order (R&O), Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) and Order on access to video conferencing by people with disabilities. On August 7, 2023, the FCC released a Public Notice announcing the comment due dates and compliance dates for this proceeding.
In the R&O, the FCC found that the existing acessibility requirements for advanced communications services (ACS) apply to commonly used video conferencing services. The FCC announced in the Public Notice that the compliance date for providers of those video conferencing services is September 3, 2024. In the Order, the FCC waiver for one year, subject to conditions, a Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) rule that restricts Video Relay Service users’ ability to turn off their video cameras when not actively participating in a video conference. This TRS waiver will end August 1, 2024.
The FCC now seeks proposals in its NPRM, including:
Specific performance objectives for improving the accessibility of video conferencing services, such as for speech-to-text (captioning) capabilities; text-to-speech capabilities; and enabling the use of sign-language interpreting.
Whether additional performance objectives are needed (for example, to support individuals with other types of disabilities or to enable users to control the activation and appearance of accessibility features);
Rules for integration of Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) with video conferencing without a dial-up telephone connection; and
When multiple communication assistants may be assigned to relay service calls that involve users of different forms of TRS.
Interested parties may file comments by accessing the Electronic Comments Filing System at https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/filings. All filings must reference CG Docket No.23-161 10-213, 03-123. People with disabilities who need assistance to file comments online may request assistance by email to FCC504@fcc.gov.
Link to the Compliance and Comment Due Dates Public Notice:
Word: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-23-665A1.docx.
PDF: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-23-665A1.pdf
Text: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-23-655A1.txt.
Link to the IVCS, R&O, NPRM and Order:
URL: https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-requires-video-conferencing-accessibility-proposes-asl-support-0.
More information about interoperable video conferencing services and other advanced communication services is available at www.fcc.gov/acs. For further information regarding ACS contact Ike Ofobike, Disability Rights Office, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, 202-418-2716, or Ike.Ofobike@fcc.gov. For further information regarding telecommunications relay services, contact Bill Walace, Disability Rights Office, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, 202-418-2716, or William.Wallace@fcc.gov. Individuals who use videophones and are fluent in American Sign Language (ASL) may call the FCC’s ASL Consumer Support Line at (844) 432-2275.
FCC Seeks Comment on T-Mobile Petition for Limited Waiver
Comments Due: August 21, 2023
Reply Comments Due: August 31, 2023
On August 4, 2023, the FCC released a Public Notice seeking comment on a petition filed by T-Mobile Accessibility. The petition requests a limited waiver of the requirement that the TTY-based relay services be capable of communicating with the American Standard Code for Information Exchange (ACCII) format, stating that the format is obsolete, rarely used, and inhibits innovation.
Interested partied may file comments by accessing the Electronic Comment Filing System at https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/filings. All filings must reference CG Docket No. 03-123 and RM-11931. People with disabilities who need assistance to file comments online may request assistance by email to FCC504@fcc.gov.
Link to the Public Notice: https://www.fcc.gov/document/comment-sought-t-mobile-petition-waiver-tty-ascii-format
For general information about TTY relay services, visit http://www.fcc.gov/tty-relay. For specific questions about this item, please contact Ike Ofobike at (202)418-1048 or by email at Ike.Ofobike@fcc.gov. Individuals who use videophones and are fluent in American Sign Language (ASL) may call the FCC’s Consumer Support Line at (844) 432-2275
FCC Renews Certifications for State TRS Programs
On July 25, 2023, the FCC released a Public Notice granting certifications for 54 states and territories to continue their state telecommunication relay services (TRS) programs. The certifications remain in effect for a five-year period, beginning July 26, 2023, and ending July 25, 2028.
Public Notice:
URL: https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-certifies-state-and-us-territory-trs-programs
For more information on the provision of TRS by state programs, visit: https://www.fcc.gov/general/trs-state-and-territories. For further information, please contact Dana Warrick, Disability Rights Office, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, (202) 418-2247 (voice), or email Dana.Warrick@fcc.gov. Individuals who are fluent in American Sign Language (ASL) may call the FCC’s ASL Consumer Support Line at (844) 432‐2275 (videophone).
FCC Requires Access to Video Conferencing, Proposes Performance Objectives and TRS Integration
On June 12, 2023, the FCC released a Report and Order, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, and Order on access to video conferencing by people with disabilities. The item was adopted by the Commission at its June 8 open meeting.
In the Report and Order, the FCC finds that the existing accessibility requirements for advanced communications services (ACS) apply to commonly used video conferencing services. The FCC gives providers of those video conferencing services one year from Federal Register publication of the Report and Order to come into compliance with the ACS accessibility requirements.
In the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), the FCC proposes to add specific performance objectives for improving the accessibility of video conferencing services, including:
Speech-to-text (captioning) capabilities;
Text-to-speech capabilities; and
Enabling the use of sign language interpreting.
The FCC also seeks comment on:
Whether additional performance objectives are needed (for example, to support individuals with other types of disabilities or to enable users to control the activation and appearance of accessibility features);
Rules for integration of Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) with video conferencing without a dial-up telephone connection; and
When multiple communications assistants may be assigned to relay service calls that involve users of different forms of TRS.
Finally, the Order would partially waive for one year, subject to conditions, a TRS rule that restricts Video Relay Service (VRS) users’ ability to turn off their video cameras when not actively participating in a video conference.
The FCC will announce the dates for filing comments and reply comments on the NPRM once those dates are set.
Link to the Report and Order, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, and Order:
URL: https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-requires-video-conferencing-accessibility-proposes-asl-support-0
More information about ACS is available at: www.fcc.gov/acs; and about relay services at: www.fcc.gov/trs. For further information regarding ACS, contact Darryl Cooper, Disability Rights Office, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, 202-418-7131, or Darryl.Cooper@fcc.gov. For further information on TRS, contact Bill Wallace, Disability Rights Office, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, at 202-418-2716, or William.Wallace@fcc.gov. Individuals who use videophones and are fluent in American Sign Language may call the FCC’s ASL Consumer Support Line at 844-432-2275 (videophone).
FCC REQUIRES VIDEO CONFERENCING PLATFORMS TO BE ACCESSIBLE AND PROPOSES PLATFORM INTEGRATION WITH SIGN-LANGUAGE SERVICES
News Release. Adopted: 2023-06-08. News Media Contact: Katie Gorscak Katie.gorscak@fcc.gov. OMR CGB. DOC-394168A1.docx DOC-394168A1.pdf DOC-394168A1.txt
FCC Seeks Comment on TRS Payment Formulas and Funding Requirements
It all begins with an idea.
Comments due: May 26, 2023
Reply comments due: June 5, 2023
On May 12, 2023, the FCC released a Public Notice seeking comment on the Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) Fund administrator’s proposed provider compensation formulas, funding requirements, and contribution factors for the period from July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024.
Interested parties may file comments by accessing the Electronic Comment Filing System at https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/filings. All filings must reference CG Docket No. 03-123. People with disabilities who need assistance to file comments online may request assistance by email to FCC504@fcc.gov.
Link to the Public Notice:
URL: https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-seeks-comment-trs-payment-formulas-and-funding-requirements
General information regarding TRS is available at: www.fcc.gov/trs. For further information, please contact Michael Scott, Disability Rights Office, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, (202) 418-1264, or by email to Michael.Scott@fcc.gov. Individuals who use videophones and are fluent in American Sign Language may call the FCC’s ASL Consumer Support Line at 844-432-2275 (videophone).
FCC Seeks Comment on Petition filed by Communication Service for the Deaf
It all begins with an idea.
Comments due: June 5, 2023
Reply comments due: June 20, 2023
On May 5, 2023, the FCC released a Public Notice seeking comment on a petition filed by Communication Service for the Deaf (CSD) requesting a declaratory ruling that direct video calling service (DVC) is eligible for support from the Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) Fund. The petition states that DVC “is a modern broadband technology that enables the most accurate, private, and efficient video communications in real-time between American Sign Language (ASL) users who are deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind or have speech disabilities and customer service representatives in business and government call centers.” Without TRS Fund support, the petition argues, DVC may “never achieve its full potential for its intended community of users.”
Interested parties may file comments by accessing the Electronic Comment Filing System at https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/filings. All filings must reference CG Docket Nos. 10-51 and 03-123. People with disabilities who need assistance to file comments online may request assistance by email to FCC504@fcc.gov.
Link to the Public Notice:
URL: https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-seeks-comment-petition-communication-service-deaf
Link to the CSD Petition:
https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/document/103310754209479/1
General information regarding DVC is available at: www.fcc.gov/dvc; and for TRS at www.fcc.gov/trs. For further information, please contact Bill Wallace, Disability Rights Office, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, (202) 418-2716, or by email to William.Wallace@fcc.gov. Individuals who use videophones and are fluent in American Sign Language may call the FCC’s ASL Consumer Support Line at 844-432-2275 (videophone).
Video Relay Service Providers’ Cost and Demand Data To Be Placed In The Record
It all begins with an idea.
Oppositions Due: May 3, 2023
On May 20, 2021, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) adopted a Notice of
Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) seeking comment on Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) Fund
compensation for the provision of video relay service (VRS). The current compensation plan for VRS
expires on June 30, 2023.
To assist the Commission’s consideration of compensation options, the Consumer and
Governmental Affairs Bureau (CGB or Bureau) intends to place in the record of this rulemaking
proceeding the cost and demand data filed this year by each VRS provider with the Interstate TRS Fund
administrator. Specifically, the Bureau intends to place in the record each VRS provider’s completed
TRS Fund Annual Provider Form and TRS Fund Annual Provider Form Appendix, as filed with the TRS
Fund administrator (2023 VRS Provider Cost and Demand Data). The 2023 VRS Provider Cost and
Demand Data will be designated as Highly Confidential Information subject to the terms of the Third
Protective Order and will not be available to the general public, but may be examined by appropriate
persons on behalf of interested parties, subject to protections for confidentiality.
Affected parties have until May 3, 2023, to oppose placing the 2023 VRS Provider Cost and
Demand Data in the record, subject to the Third Protective Order. If submission of the data into the
record is opposed, the procedures set forth in 47 CFR § 0.461(i) shall apply. All filings should refer to
CG Docket No. 10-51 and CG Docket No. 03-123.
After the 2023 VRS Provider Cost and Demand Data is placed in the record, outside persons
participating or intending to participate in the proceeding who are not involved in competitive decision-making activities and who have signed the Acknowledgment of Confidentiality attached to the Third
Protective Order may review the 2023 VRS Provider Cost and Demand Data in accordance with the terms of the Third Protective Order. Reviewing Parties should request the 2023 VRS Provider Cost and
Demand Data from the relevant Submitting Parties, i.e., from each VRS provider whose filed data they
wish to review. We emphasize that persons seeking to review the VRS Provider Cost and Demand Data
may do so only for purposes of participating in this proceeding and must have adequate protections in
place to prevent improper use or disclosure of the information. The Submitting Party has three business
days to file with the Commission and serve an objection to the disclosure of the data to a specific
individual requesting access. A Submitting Party that has not filed an objection must provide access to
the data no later than the fourth business day from the date of the request. Submitting Parties that do not
object to a disclosure are encouraged to provide access to the 2023 VRS Provider Cost and Demand Data
at an earlier date.
The Submitting Party shall make the 2023 VRS Provider Cost and Demand Data available in an
electronic format. Submitting Parties are not required to transmit the data electronically,9
but may choose to do so. Under the Commission’s current procedures for the submission of filings and other documents, submissions in this matter may be filed electronically (i.e., through ECFS) or on paper to the
Commission.
Electronic Filers: Comments may be filed electronically using the Internet by accessing the
ECFS: https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/filings.
• Paper Filers:
o Parties who choose to file by paper must file an original and one copy of each filing. If
more than one docket or rulemaking number appears in the caption of this proceeding,
filers must submit two additional copies for each additional docket or rulemaking
number.
o Filings can be sent by commercial overnight courier, or by first-class or overnight U.S.
Postal Service mail. All filings must be addressed to the Commission’s Secretary, Office
of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission.
o Currently, the Commission does not accept any hand delivered or messenger delivered
filings as a temporary measure taken to help protect the health and safety of individuals,
and to mitigate the transmission of COVID-19. In the event that the Commission
announces the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, a filing window will be opened at the
Commission’s office located at 9050 Junction Drive, Annapolis Junction, Maryland
20701.10
o Commercial overnight mail (other than U.S. Postal Service Express Mail and Priority
Mail) must be sent to 9050 Junction Drive, Annapolis Junction, MD 20701.
FCC Announces 2023-2024 NDBEDP Allocations
It all begins with an idea.
On April 25, 2023, the FCC released a Public Notice announcing the allocations for the National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program (NDBEDP or iCanConnect) for the 2023-2024 fund year, which runs from July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024. The FCC provides up to $10 million annually for the NDBEDP.
Link to the Public Notice:
URL: https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-announces-2023-2024-ndbedp-allocations
For information about NDBEDP, visit http://www.fcc.gov/ndbedp. For questions about this Public Notice, contact Jackie Ellington, NDBEDP Administrator, Disability Rights Office, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, at (202) 418-1153 or Jackie.Ellington@fcc.gov. Individuals who use videophones and are fluent in American Sign Language (ASL) may call the FCC’s ASL Consumer Support Line at (844) 432-2275 (videophone).
FCC Seeks Comment on New Law’s Impact on Accessible Incarcerated People’s Communications Services
On March 17, 2023, the FCC released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Order related to implementation of the Martha Wright-Reed Just and Reasonable Communications Act of 2022 (Act), which directs the Commission to adopt just and reasonable rates and charges for incarcerated people’s audio and video communications services. On April 10, 2023, the FCC released a Public Notice to announce the comment due dates.
The Notice seeks comment on, among other things, the extent to which the Act expands the FCC’s ability to ensure that any audio and video communications services used by incarcerated people are accessible to and usable by people with disabilities. The Notice also requests comment generally on any needed changes to the FCC rules on access to advanced communications services and equipment by people with disabilities to implement the amended definition of “advanced communications services” adopted by the Act.
Interested parties may file comments by accessing the FCC’s Electronic Comment Filing System at https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/filings. All filings about the Notice must reference WC Docket Nos. 23-62 and 12-375. People with disabilities who need assistance to file comments online may request assistance by email to FCC504@fcc.gov.
Link to Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Order:
https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-acts-ensure-reasonable-calling-rates-incarcerated-people
Link to the Public Notice:
https://www.fcc.gov/document/wireline-competition-bureau-announces-comment-dates-ipcs-nprm
For general information about communications services for incarcerated individuals, please visit the FCC’s webpage: https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/telephone-service-incarcerated-individuals. For further information on the carceral communications item, please contact Peter Bean, Pricing Policy Division, Wireline Competition Bureau, at 202-418-0786 or peter.bean@fcc.gov. For information on the accessibility issues raised in the item, please contact Michael Scott, Disability Rights Office, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, at (202) 418-1264 or Michael.Scott@fcc.gov. Individuals who use videophones and are fluent in American Sign Language (ASL) may call the FCC’s ASL Consumer Support Line at (844) 432-2275 (videophone).
FCC Certifies ClearCaptions to Provide Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service
On April 4, 2023, the FCC released an Order granting ClearCaptions, LLC full certification as a provider of Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service (IP CTS). ClearCaptions had been operating pursuant to a conditional certification to provide IP CTS using communications assistants as well as automatic speech recognition without human assistance.
ClearCaptions’s certification is effective from April 4, 2023, through April 3, 2028.
Link to the Order:
URL: https://www.fcc.gov/document/clearcaptions-certified-provide-ip-cts
General information about IP CTS is available at www.fcc.gov/ipcts. For further information, please contact Joshua Mendelsohn, Disability Rights Office, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, at (202) 599-7304 (voice or videophone) or by e-mail at Joshua.Mendelsohn@fcc.gov.
FCC Announces Fifth Term of Disability Advisory Committee & April 26 Meeting
On April 3, 2023, the FCC released a Public Notice announcing the appointments of members and Co-Chairs for the fifth term of the Disability Advisory Committee (DAC).
The FCC also announced that the first meeting of the new DAC will be held on Wednesday, April 26, 2023, from 1:00 p.m. to approximately 3:15 p.m. Eastern Time. The DAC meeting will be held remotely, and it will be webcast with open captioning at https://www.fcc.gov/live.
The agenda for this meeting will be posted on the DAC’s webpage at http://www.fcc.gov/dac.
Link to Public Notice: https://www.fcc.gov/document/announcement-dac-membership-and-first-meeting
For specific questions, please contact Joshua Mendelsohn, DAC Designated Federal Officer, at 202-599-7304 (voice or videophone) or DAC@fcc.gov.
FCC Seeks Comment on Applications for Renewal of Certification of State Relay Programs
Comments due: May 1, 2023
Reply Comments due: May 16, 2023
On March 31, 2023, the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau (CGB) of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released a Public Notice announcing the deadlines for filing comments on applications for renewal of certification for state telecommunications relay service (TRS) programs for all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.
Interested parties may file comments by accessing the Electronic Comment Filing System at https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/filings. All filings must reference CG Docket No. 03-123 and the relevant state identification number of the state application (as listed in the Public Notice). People with disabilities who need assistance to file comments online may request assistance by email to FCC504@fcc.gov.
To view these applications for renewal of state certification, visit https://www.fcc.gov/general/trs-state-and-territories.
Public Notice:
URL: https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-seeks-comment-state-trs-program-certification-applications
For further information, please contact Dana Warrick, CGB, at (202) 418-2247 (voice), or by email at Dana.Warrick@fcc.gov. Individuals who use videophones and are fluent in American Sign Language may call the FCC’s ASL Consumer Support Line at 844-432-2275 (videophone).
FCC Seeks Comment on ClearCaptions’s Application for Full Certification to Provide IP CTS
Comments Due: February 13, 2023
Reply Comments Due: February 23, 2023
On January 30, 2023, the FCC released a Public Notice seeking comment on an application filed by ClearCaptions LLC, for full certification to provide Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service (IP CTS).
Interested parties may file comments by accessing the Electronic Comment Filing System at https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/filings. All filings must reference CG Docket No. 03-123. People with disabilities who need assistance to file comments online may request assistance by email to FCC504@fcc.gov.
Public Notice:
URL: https://www.fcc.gov/document/comment-clearcaptions-application-ip-cts-certification
Word: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-23-86A1.docx
PDF: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-23-86A1.pdf
Text: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-23-86A1.txt
ClearCaptions’s Twelfth Amendment to its Application (redacted), which also contains links to its Application and all previous Amendments:
https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/document/1219277910078/1
General information about IP CTS is available at www.fcc.gov/ipcts. For further information, please contact Joshua Mendelsohn, Disability Rights Office, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, at (202) 599-7304 or by e-mail at Joshua.Mendelsohn@fcc.gov, or Ike Ofobike at (202) 744-3916 or by e-mail at Ike.Ofobike@fcc.gov. Individuals who use videophones and are fluent in American Sign Language (ASL) may call the FCC’s ASL Consumer Support Line at (844) 432-2275 (videophone).
FCC Seeks Comment on Petition for Limited Waiver of VRS Privacy Screen Rule
Comments due: February 13, 2023
Reply Comments due: February 28, 2023
On January 12, 2023 the FCC released a Public Notice seeking comment on a Petition for Limited Waiver filed by Sorenson Communications, LLC (Sorenson), seeking waiver of the Video Relay Service (VRS) privacy screen rule. The privacy screen rule requires a communications assistant to disconnect a VRS call if the caller or called party enables a privacy screen or similar feature for more than five minutes or is otherwise unresponsive for more than five minutes. A privacy screen is a feature that prevents one party on the video leg of a VRS call from viewing the other party. This rule was adopted to prevent fraudulent practices where VRS minutes were logged while no one was engaged in a conversation. Sorenson seeks a waiver of the rule so that VRS users on video conferencing calls are allowed to turn off their video connections when not presenting or for other reasons not related to inactivity.
Interested parties may file comments by accessing the FCC’s Electronic Comment Filing System at https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/filings. All filings must reference CG Docket Nos. 03-123 and 10-51. People with disabilities who need assistance to file comments online may request assistance by email to FCC504@fcc.gov
Public Notice:
URL: https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-seeks-comment-petition-waiver-vrs-privacy-screen-rule
Word: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-23-28A1.docx
PDF: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-23-28A1.pdf
Text: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-23-28A1.txt
Link to Sorenson’s Petition for a Limited Waiver:
https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/document/12190888126091/1
General information about VRS is available at www.fcc.gov/vrs. For further information, please contact William Wallace, Disability Rights Office, Consumer and Governmental Bureau, at 202-418-2716, or William.Wallace@fcc.gov. Individuals who use videophones and are fluent in American Sign Language (ASL) may call the FCC’s ASL Consumer Support Line at (844) 432-2275 (videophone).