All.. <\/p>\n
Wow – this is a MUST reading of the FCC\u0019s latest report, order and
\ndeclaratory ruling as it will impact VRS providers as well as some of
\nthe consumers.<\/p>\n
To view his vlog, click here<\/p>\n
. (Flash Player Required)<\/p>\n
I will try to summarize this, basically it is about how relay
\nproviders – VRS, IP Relay, traditional TTY Relay, Speech to speech,
\nand Captioning Telephone Service – are paid in a different way. The
\nFCC also had declaratory ruling which means it outlines rules what
\nVRS providers can do and cannot do. <\/p>\n
If u want the gritty details, click here:<\/p>\n
http:\/\/www.edsalert.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/11\/fcc-07-186a1-new-rates-mars-tiered.doc<\/p>\n
Latest FCC report, order, and Declaratory Ruling <\/p>\n
Here is my brief summarization of the FCC stuff. I will start with
\nDeclaratory Ruling first because it impacts VRS users, organizations,
\nand VRS providers. Please bear in mind this is not a NEW rule; it is
\nbased on past ruling that the FCC felt need to clarify. The following
\ndeclarations are: <\/p>\n
Relay providers may NOT offer consumer financial or other incentives
\n(i.e. rewards) – directly or indirectly – to make relay calls.
\nExamples: sweepstakes that encourage VRS user to call particular VRS
\nprovider; that is not allowed.
\n That use of customer call base or database by VRS providers to
\ncontact relay users for political or marketing practices are not
\nallowed. What this means is that VRS providers cannot use VRS user\u0019s
\ninformation to contact VRS users for political or improper marketing
\npractices. Example of that is by deploying an email message,
\npostcards, etc. to inform them about pending TRS compensation issues
\nand urge them to contact the Commission about the compensation rates.
\nThis is not allowed.
\n Track relay user\u0019s usage and then determine if person should get a
\nnew video phone or upgrade. this is not allowed.
\n Impermissable VRS marketing practices such as “use this VRS or you
\nwill not get upgrades” or “to get this video phone, you must use our
\nVRS” or “if you want to keep the video phone, you must use VRS”. All
\nthese are not allowed.
\n Sponsorship that are tied to service usage. Examples of that is
\nstate association or local deaf club or alumni club having a contract
\nto receive financial incentives (like 25 cents per min or something
\nlike that). These are not allowed.
\n Charitable contributions by a provider based on total calls made.
\n Charitable contributions\/gifts\/payment by a provider based on
\n“failure of a call to meet specific time” (in other words, long wait)
\n– a contribution will be made to a third party organization. This is
\nnot allowed.
\n By registering with a provider and become its “VIP” customer and
\nreceive reward or financial incentive. This is not allowed.
\n Providers cannot give relay users equipment (i.e. video phone or
\npagers) as part of outreach efforts or for other purpose, and then
\nseeing lack of use of the provider, get back the equipment. <\/p>\n
Why did the FCC decide to do these? The Title IV of the ADA indicate
\n(according to the FCC) that relay providers are intended to be “dial
\ntone”; in other words, provide telephone service. Also, relay users
\ndo not pay for the service, the federal funds do. It is not same as
\nhearing person who pays for the service. For example, pay $60 for
\n1200 minutes, and if beyond that, then person has to pay additional
\nfees. There are no obligation on relay user to watch their usage
\ntherefore the FCC does not want any unnecessary minutes that may be
\nlogged and billed to the federal fund. Click to the link, you will
\nread additional details on this. <\/p>\n
Now to this new issue. Before I go into this, it is worthy to note
\nthat the Fund for relay service has grown from approx $40 million in
\n2000 to over $550 million for FY 2007. Out of that $550, $430 Million
\nis from VRS. This means about 75%. Whew&. <\/p>\n
Now there is a new cost recovery methodology for TTY relay service
\nincluding Speech-to-Speech which is called “MARS” plan (Multi-State
\nAverage Rate Structure). This methodology simply is use state data to
\ndetermine the reimbursable rate. The FCC will collect all costs of
\nrelay service of all states, and also collect all minutes generated
\nfrom each states, then calculate a weighted average rate by dividing
\ntotal state dollars paid by total conversation minutes. <\/p>\n
Based on MARS, interstate TTY relay service, the reimbursement rate
\nis $1.59 per conversation minute. This is interesting. Remember this
\nis interstate relay service. In Texas, our reimbursement rate is
\n$1.29 per conversation minute. <\/p>\n
MARS gave interstate Speech-to-Speech $1.59 plus $1.13 for outreach
\ncosts for total of $2.72. Historically, persons with speech
\ndisabilities are difficult to reach hence this. I applaude the FCC of
\nthis cuz I see great need for that, too. <\/p>\n
MARS gave interstate Captioning Telephone Service and IP Captioning
\nTelephone Service $1.62. This is particularly interesting cuz of IP
\nCTS (Internet) being reimbursed by MARS methodology. <\/p>\n
IP Relay at $1.29 (not from MARS methodology) <\/p>\n
VRS: <\/p>\n
If under 50,000 minutes, then $6.77
\n If over 50K to 500K, then $6.50
\n If over 500K, then $6.30 <\/p>\n
The VRS tiered rates will be same for 3 years except that each
\nsubsequent years ,the reimbursement rates will be reduced by .5%. <\/p>\n
Obviously there is lot more to the FCC report; there are over 100
\npages. Even so, worth reading& <\/p>\n
Eyes open & thumbs up, <\/p>\n
Ed Bosson <\/p>\n
Relay Texas Administration<\/p>\n
You can look up full details and vlog at his website.<\/p>\n
Link:
\nhttp:\/\/www.edsalert.com\/2007\/11\/22\/fcc-latest-report-order-declaratory-ruling-wow-important-info\/<\/p>\n
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All.. Wow – this is a MUST reading of the FCC\u0019s latest report, order and declaratory ruling as it will impact VRS providers as well as some of the consumers. To view his vlog, click here . (Flash Player Required)…<\/p>\n