Ed’s Telecom Alert

All..

One big step that the FCC took that will impact millions of deaf/hoh as well as how VRS Industry operates big time.  

The FCC has just awarded NeuStar Inc., to build and operate centralized database for Internet-based relay services to create numbering system for VRS/IP users.   NeuStar is expected to complete the system to support ten-digit phone numbers for VRS/IP users by December 31, 2008.  

Basically, NeuStar will need to ensure that each VRS/IP users will have his/her own Telephone Number (TN) where he/she can use the TN to give to either hearing or deaf persons (hearing persons will be automatically connected to VRS of his/her preferred choice of VRS, and deaf will automatically be connected video phone to video phone), can use TN in any VP (a person having Ojo can call VP-200 with TN instead of Internet Protocol address), and most important – really the primary reason why 10 digit TN was formed – was to have access to 9-1-1 where the system will automatically identify who the person is and where he/she lives. 

Keep in mind, though, that this is just beginning of a huge project that will present challenging issues to the NeuStar and the FCC; examples of the "challenging" issues are proprietary video phones.  How will these be handled and all that?  I don’t envy them, but I am sure they are up to the task to resolve that and it will be done with VRS industry’s support/feedback/criticism/etc.  

Check out the links.  

FCC PN on NeuStar doc

FCC PN on NeuStar pdf

Although number of national organizations have helped push this issue to become a reality, I would say that behind all this was dogged persistence (some will say stubborn one person who made this possible.  The credit rightfully goes to SHERI FARINHA for making this possible.  Kudos to you, Sheri!    

eyes open & thumbs up,

Ed B

All..

Can u imagine seeing some features of a Star Trek: Next Generation becoming reality.  You know the one where you enter a room and hologram scene appears. Well..we’re closer to that than anyone realizes.   Right now it is inside a Cocoon.  Check out the link.

Cocoon Virtual Reality

I can imagine VRS being utilized in this.  hmmm

eyes open & thumbs up,

Ed B

All..

Basically this is about Internet being accessible by billions of people.   Done via 16 low orbiting satellites and local and national network having contract with O3b Network.  Said the pricing will be comparable to fiber optic service in developed countries (I’m not sure how much that would be).  

CNET News

3 Ob Network Press News

It said high speed Internet, so will that make it possible to use video phones in remote areas?  It seems the service is limited to other countries, though.   Maybe over time, the service will spread to worldwide and reach my house which is – frankly "remote" as my area does not have high speed Internet.

eyes open & thumbs up,

Ed

All..

Texas Public Utility Commission now have new faces at Relay Texas and STAP.  All are new.

First of all, let me introduce you to Dwight Martin who is now the new STAP Coordinator. He just started a couple weeks ago.  He replaced Kristen Herrera.  He hails from Minn and his lovely Russian wife and two kids – one is just a few weeks old – will move to Austin the next few weeks.  By the way, Dwight is deaf. 

Welcome to Texas where great things happen!  Good luck in your new life in Texas.  You’ll love it, I’m sure. 

(pix of Dwight)

The next person.  Karlene Pakula is not new yet relatively new at the TPUC.  Less than a year she has worked at the PUC.  She is assistant STAP Coordinator.  Used to work at TSD, but now is with prestigious TPUC  ;-]

She is a hearing person and her parents are deaf so she signs fluently.  So far Karlene tells me that her work is challenging, but loves it.  I’ve an oppty to get to know her and feels she will do well as assistnat STAP Coordinator.

(pix of Karlene)

Karlene and Dwight can be reached with this email:  stap@puc.state.tx.us

Finally – a bombshell news!  Robert Giuntoli – he currently is and will become "was" by Oct 1 a Senior account manager for Sprint Relay.  He will become Relay Texas Administrator!  He will replace me.  I’ve no doubt he will do well cuz I’ve flogged him for so long that he has scars to show for them and he will in turn flog the new Sprint account manager.  Kidding aside, TPUC got a very good replacement – thanks to Mike Renfro (my old boss) who interviewed applicants and chose him.  RG was originally from Wisc and has man years experience in relay service – 18 years and 12 with Sprint Relay.

RG will do well at the PUC and serve the varied communities very well. Good luck!

(pix of RG)

eyes open & thumbs up,

Ed B