Ed’s Telecom Alert

All..

Texas Public Utility Commission along with Sprint Relay is proud to announce a still another FIRST in Relay Texas.    

Before I tell you what it is, here is the rationale.  I’ve received feedback from persons with speech disabilities that it often is difficult to make a 7-1-1 call.  The issue is that sometimes relay agent does not understand what he/she wants which is just to transfer the relay call to Speech-to-Speech (STS) service or relay agent simply hang up thinking it is a prank call or STS user wait forever to finally get transferred and connected to STS service.  

In checking with Father of STS, Dr Bob Segelman, he suggested why not add an option to the 7-1-1 where a person with speech disability simply have to hit one number and be routed directly to the STS center.    Well, I checked with Sprint Relay and they said can be done.    A few weeks ago Sprint Relay with TPUC’s blessing went ahead and changed 7-1-1 to add the STS option.  

For those of you who can’t hear, the new 7-1-1 message goes like this:

 "You have reached Relay Texas

Press 1 to place a relay call

Press 2 for a speech to speech relay call"

Approx after 10 seconds or so of no action, TTY message from relay agent automatically pick up.

I wanted to mention that TPUC fully appreciates Sprint Relay for not charging for this wonderful service. 

eyes open & thumbs up,

Ed B
RT Admin