TDI-L eNotes – August 19, 2008 <\/p>\n
In this issue: <\/p>\n
New Ten-Digit Numbering and Emergency Call Handling Procedures for
\nInternet-Based Telecommunications Relay Services <\/p>\n
Beginning on December 31, 2008, persons with hearing and speech
\ndisabilities using Video Relay Service (VRS) or Internet Protocol
\nRelay (IP Relay) – two forms of Internet-based Telecommunications
\nRelay Service (TRS) – will be able to obtain ten-digit telephone
\nnumbers. This ten-digit number requirement was adopted by the Federal
\nCommunications Commission (FCC) in conjunction with 9-1-1 call
\nhandling requirements for VRS and IP-Relay providers. <\/p>\n
TRS calls made through the traditional telephone network
\nautomatically pass along to the called party signals that help
\nidentify the caller’s location. As a result, relay providers will know
\nthe caller’s location, and can therefore route the call to the
\nappropriate emergency personnel to respond. This routing is not
\ncurrently possible with the Internet-based forms of TRS, because calls
\ndo not pass along location information. The FCC has now adopted rules
\nto address this situation by requiring VRS and IP Relay providers to
\nobtain location information from relay users obtaining ten-digit
\ntelephone numbers. The new rules ensure that VRS and IP Relay users
\nare provided 9-1-1 service that is comparable to the 9-1-1 service
\nprovided to traditional telephone users. <\/p>\n
What is Internet-Based TRS? <\/p>\n
TRS permits persons with a hearing or a speech disability to access
\nthe telephone system to call voice telephone users. For example, a TRS
\nuser “calls” a relay provider through a text-based device (for
\nexample, a text telephone or TTY) and is connected to a communications
\nassistant (CA) who, in turn, makes a voice telephone call to the
\nperson the TRS user wishes to call. The CA then speaks to the called
\nparty what the relay user has typed, and types back to the calling
\nparty what the called party says. In this way, the CA “relays” the
\ncall back and forth between the two parties. <\/p>\n
With Internet-based TRS, calls are made via the Internet and an
\nIP-enabled device, rather than the telephone network. The two most
\ncommonly used forms of Internet-based TRS are VRS and IP Relay. A
\nthird type of Internet-based TRS, IP Captioned Telephone Service (IP
\nCTS), is not subject to the new ten-digit numbering and requirements. <\/p>\n
Video Relay Service or VRS – This Internet-based form of TRS allows
\npersons whose primary language is American Sign Language (ASL) to
\ncommunicate with the CA in ASL using video conferencing equipment and
\na broadband Internet connection. The CA speaks what is signed to the
\ncalled party, and signs the called party’s response back to the
\ncaller. For more information about VRS visit:
\nhttp:\/\/www.fcc.gov\/cgb\/consumerfacts\/videorelay.html
\n .<\/p>\n
Internet Protocol or IP Relay – IP Relay allows a person to
\ncommunicate in text using an IP-enabled device (such as a personal
\ncomputer) and the Internet, rather than a TTY and the public switched
\ntelephone network. For more information about IP Relay visit:
\nhttp:\/\/www.fcc.gov\/cgb\/consumerfacts\/iprelay.html
\n. <\/p>\n
IP Captioned Telephone Service or CTS – IP CTS allows a person who
\ncan speak and who has some residual hearing to simultaneously listen
\nto what is said over the telephone and read captions of what the other
\nperson is saying. An Internet connection carries the captions between
\nthe relay provider and the user. For more information about IP CTS
\nvisit: http:\/\/www.fcc.gov\/cgb\/consumerfacts\/ipcaptioned.html
\n .<\/p>\n
Benefits of Ten-Digit Numbers <\/p>\n
Beginning December 31, 2008, VRS and IP Relay users will be able to
\nobtain ten-digit telephone numbers by registering with a VRS or IP
\nRelay provider (their “default” provider). With a ten-digit number,
\nVRS and IP Relay users will be able to: <\/p>\n
make an emergency call through a VRS or IP Relay provider and have
\nthe call, along with the ten-digit number and location information,
\nautomatically routed to the appropriate emergency personnel, so that
\nthey can be dispatched to respond to the emergency. <\/p>\n
receive a call from a voice telephone user when the caller dials the
\nVRS or IP Relay user’s ten-digit telephone number. (The caller does
\nnot need to know the VRS or IP Relay user’s IP address to make the
\ncall.) <\/p>\n
make a call directly to, or receive a call directly from, another
\nperson using VRS or IP Relay equipment by dialing a ten-digit number. <\/p>\n
VRS or IP Relay users will be able to change default relay providers
\nat any time, and keep the same telephone number. Providers cannot
\nimpose any restrictions or conditions when users request that their
\nnumber be ported to a new default provider. For more information on
\nlocal number portability, see the FCC’s consumer fact sheet at
\nhttp:\/\/www.fcc.gov\/cgb\/consumerfacts\/numbport.html
\n. In addition, consumers can place a call through any provider (such
\nas a provider other than the default provider), by using a
\n“dial-around” code. <\/p>\n
New Emergency Call Handling Procedures <\/p>\n
The FCC’s new rules require VRS and IP Relay providers to: <\/p>\n
obtain from their users the physical location at which the service
\nwill first be used when the users register for ten-digit numbers; <\/p>\n
give users an easy way to update their location information if it
\nchanges, without cost or additional equipment; <\/p>\n
route all emergency calls to the appropriate emergency personnel and
\ntransmit the call-back number and registered location of the caller,
\nthe name of the VRS or IP Relay provider, and the identification
\nnumber of the VRS or IP Relay provider’s CA; <\/p>\n
publish a summary of these new procedures, emphasizing the need to
\nkeep location information updated, on their Web sites and in any
\npromotional materials addressing emergency call handling; and <\/p>\n
obtain and keep records of affirmative acknowledgment from their
\nregistered users that they have received and understood the provider’s
\nsummary. <\/p>\n
Interim Emergency Call Handling Procedures <\/p>\n
Until these new procedures take effect on December 31, 2008, the FCC
\nhas adopted interim procedures that require all Internet-based TRS
\nproviders, including IP CTS providers, at a minimum, to automatically
\nand immediately transfer an emergency call to the appropriate
\nemergency personnel or assure that appropriate personnel are notified
\nof the emergency. <\/p>\n
NOTE: For IP CTS, the interim procedures will continue until current
\ntechnical limitations are resolved. IP CTS providers are not required
\nto provide ten-digit numbers or automatically pass location
\ninformation to emergency personnel. <\/p>\n
The interim procedures require Internet-based TRS providers to: <\/p>\n
prioritize incoming emergency calls over non-emergency calls; <\/p>\n
request the caller’s name and location at the beginning of the
\nemergency call process for Internet-based TRS callers to update their
\nlocation information; <\/p>\n
deliver to emergency personnel at the beginning of the outbound link
\nof the call, at a minimum, the name of the Internet-based TRS user and
\nlocation of the emergency, the name of the provider, the CA’s callback
\nand identification numbers; and <\/p>\n
reestablish contact between the caller and the emergency personnel or
\nother authority if either or both legs of the call are disconnected. <\/p>\n
Finally, until December 31, 2008, an Internet-based TRS provider must
\ninclude an advisory on its Web site or in any promotional materials
\nexplaining any circumstances in which handling of Internet-based TRS
\nemergency calls may be limited compared to handling of traditional
\nvoice service emergency calls. <\/p>\n
Emergency Calling Tips for VRS and IP Relay Users <\/p>\n
Make sure you are familiar with your provider’s procedures for
\nupdating your registered physical location, and promptly update the
\ninformation if it changes. <\/p>\n
Know any limitations of your service, and have a plan for making
\nemergency calls in the event of a power or Internet outage. You may
\nwant to keep a TTY and a traditional phone line, or install a backup
\npower supply . Dialing 9-1-1 from a TTY or
\ntraditional phone remains the most reliable and fastest method of
\nreaching emergency personnel. <\/p>\n
Inform children, babysitters, and visitors about using your TRS
\nservice and any limitations on placing emergency calls. <\/p>\n
Filing a Complaint with the FCC <\/p>\n
If you have a problem completing a 9-1-1 call using an Internet-based Federal Communications Commission <\/p>\n Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau <\/p>\n Consumer Inquiries and Complaints Division <\/p>\n 445 12th Street, SW <\/p>\n Washington, DC 20554. <\/p>\n What to Include in Your Complaint <\/p>\n The best way to provide all the information the FCC needs to process your name, address, email address, and phone number where you can be whether you are filing a complaint on behalf of another party, and if preferred format or method of response (letter, fax, voice phone that your complaint is about TRS; <\/p>\n the name, address, and telephone number (if known) of the company or a brief description of your complaint and the resolution you are For More Information <\/p>\n For more information about TRS, VRS, IP Relay, or IP CTS, or to learn For this or any other consumer publication in an accessible format To receive information on this and other FCC consumer topics through This document is for consumer education purposes only and is not Adapted from FCC Consumer Advisory at: 08\/18\/08 <\/p>\n Federal Communications Commission <\/p>\n Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau <\/p>\n 445 12th St. S.W. <\/p>\n Washington, DC 20554 <\/p>\n 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322) <\/p>\n TTY: 1-888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322) <\/p>\n Fax: 1-866-418-0232 <\/p>\n http:\/\/www.fcc.gov\/cgb\/<\/p>\n # # # <\/p>\n About TDI: <\/p>\n TDI is a membership organization that promotes equal access to Shaping An Accessible World<\/mailto><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" TDI-L eNotes – August 19, 2008 In this issue: New Ten-Digit Numbering and Emergency Call Handling Procedures for Internet-Based Telecommunications Relay Services Beginning on December 31, 2008, persons with hearing and speech disabilities using Video Relay Service (VRS) or Internet…<\/p>\n
\nTRS provider, notify the provider. You can also file a complaint with
\nthe FCC. There is no charge for filing a complaint. The easiest way to
\nfile your complaint is to go to the FCC’s on-line complaint forms
\nfound on the FCC Web site at http:\/\/esupport.fcc.gov\/complaints.htm
\n. You will be asked a series of questions that will take you to the
\ncorrect form and section of the form for providing all of the
\ninformation the FCC needs to process your complaint. You can also file
\nyour complaint with the FCC’s Consumer Center by emailing
\nfccinfo@fcc.gov
\n; calling 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322) voice or 1-888-TELL-FCC
\n(1-888-835-5322) TTY; faxing 1-866-418-0232; or writing to: <\/p>\n
\nyour complaint is to complete fully the on-line complaint form. If you
\ndo not use the on-line complaint form, your complaint, at a minimum,
\nshould indicate: <\/p>\n
\nreached; <\/p>\n
\nso, the party’s name, address, email address, day time phone number,
\nand your relationship to the party; <\/p>\n
\ncall, email, TRS, TTY, ASCII text, audio recording, or Braille); <\/p>\n
\ncompanies involved with your complaint; and <\/p>\n
\nseeking, and a full description of the equipment or service you are
\ncomplaining about, including date of purchase, use, or attempt to use.<\/p>\n
\nmore about FCC programs to promote access to telecommunications
\nservices for people with disabilities, visit the FCC’s Disability
\nRights Office Web site at http:\/\/www.fcc.gov\/cgb\/dro
\n. For information about other telecommunications issues, visit the
\nFCC’s Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau Web site at
\nhttp:\/\/www.fcc.gov\/cgb
\n, or contact the FCC’s Consumer Center using the information provided
\nfor filing a complaint. <\/p>\n
\n(electronic ASCII text, Braille, large print, or audio) please write
\nor call us at the address or phone number below, or send an e-mail to
\nFCC504@fcc.gov <\/mailto>
\n. <\/p>\n
\nthe Commission’s electronic subscriber service, visit
\nhttp:\/\/www.fcc.gov\/cgb\/contacts\/
\n. <\/p>\n
\nintended to affect any proceeding or cases involving this subject
\nmatter or related issues. <\/p>\n
\nhttp:\/\/www.fcc.gov\/cgb\/consumerfacts\/trstendigit.html<\/p>\n
\ntelecommunications, media, and information technology for 31 million
\nAmericans who are deaf and hard of hearing. TDI publishes the TDI
\nWorld quarterly magazine, TDI Briefs newsletter, and the annual TDI
\nNational Directory & Resource Guide or the Blue Book. For more
\ninformation or to become a member or subscriber, go to
\nhttp:\/\/www.tdi-online.org
\n . <\/p>\n