FCC PN on SorensonVRS’s Request for Limited Waiver on “Proxy” NBRS
20 10 2008All.
The following link is asking for comments on SorensonVRS’s request for limited waiver on proxy numbers. SorensonVRS is asking the FCC to allow one year of using proxy numbers after the 10 digit real phone have been distributed (presumably Jan 1, 2009). First wave of comments already passed, the second "Reply Comments" due tomorrow (Oct 21).
FCC PN on Limited Waiver Request
What do you think, folks? Will granting the waiver by the FCC help lessen the confusion? Or will it make it worse?
I believe these proxy numbers will not be able to cross to other VP that are not the same type; that is, vp 200 to OJO or VPAD. I believe SorensonVRS wants to be able to give real 10 digit ph numbers plus this proxy numbers.
It appears that SorensonVRS is trying to phase out the proxy number over one year period instead of abrupt stopping proxy number on Jan 1, 2009. It also makes "business" sense for SorensonVRS as it will help hold onto to people who already have vp-200 and that in time they will help them change over to ten digit phone numbers.
The following are the first wave of comments and all were opposed to the waiver request.
Hamilton is opposed to this as sez the following link
GoAmerica Opposition from GoAmerica (HOVRS)
Nat’l Orgs Opposition - this is a combined national and state organizations; TDI, NAD, DHHCAN (Hard of Hearing Advocacy), HLLA, and CCASHDHH (Calif).
Geez, lot of oppositions to Sorenson’s request for limited waiver.
eyes open & thumbs up,
Ed B
Based on report from CSDVRS on 10/15/2008, CSDVRS joined against Sorenson’s request for limited waiver. Sorenson waited too long. They are still out there marketing the directvp numbers….So why contiune with directvp numbers which is proxy numbers. Why not focus on real 10 dig. numbers for local.?
So, Sd we not accept those 10 digits from Sorenson VRS ? Do we have right to not accept it ?? I thought we have rights but I was told that one deaf lady got a call from S VRS and told her abt new 10 digit nbrs. She did say NO Thanks ! But S VRS told her that she have to !!! Sd we wait for another 10 digit nbr that works anything ? Can we use one same 10 digits for VP, TTY, FAX ?? Thanks !!!
Sorry, I don’t agree what you said. They had been playing the games. Enough. Enough. Time to move on!
Troy,
hmmm – good points. We’ll see how it develops.
Roseanne,
I had not thought along the lines you expressed. SorensonVRS has changed the settings where we no longer can know internet protocol addresses. I guess maybe that is why SorensonVRS insists on numbers? As for tty, fax, etc., I am not entirely sure; my guess probably not. Hope someone reading this can answer that question you posed about same nbr for tty, vrs, fax, etc.
eyes open & thumbs up,
Ed
As far as I know, NextTalk.net is the only service that makes it possible for one to call others via TTY, VP and Fax using ONE-NBR (that’s 888 number, btw).
However, NextTalk said they are NOT a relay service/provider, so I have no idea if they are planning to give out the local ten-digit number anytime soon. NextTalk did say they been in contact with relay providers and they intend to make the NexTalk products work with the 10-digit numbering issue by December 31, 2008.
So…we just wait and see, I guess…
P.S. I emailed to NextTalk staff myself, that’s how I found out the fact they are not relay provider and that they will make sure their products work with the ten-digit numbers. That’s all they said….
I can’t help but wonder if this is a perpetuation of Sorenson’s typically unfair (and as usual socially irresponsible) competitive practice. Enough is enough! For the record: In the past, 1) they blocked calls to other VRS providers until FCC disallowed it; 2) they took advantage of their captive audience because there was no regulation about speed of answer calls, and their VP100 customers were trapped because they couldn’t call other VRS providers; 3) Sorenson’s VPs were not interoperable; AND 4) now they want to the delay of implementation of the NANP plan another year when it was technologically possible for quite some time.
I am extremely mistrustful and suspicious of anything Sorenson does that their competitors are not doing and will always be trying to figure out why and whether it is justifiable or unjustifiable competition. As for their wanting to phase out the proxy numbers over a one year period instead of abrupt stopping proxy numbers on 1/1/09 gets no support from me. They had plenty of time to make the adjustment. GoAmerica (HOVRS Purple) is already giving out real numbers and it’s working flawlessly with hearing people calling me via VRS with my new NANP number and I expect no problems with VP to VP calls via real NANP numbers on 1/1/09. In addition, Sorenson is already installing 866 numbers with the VP200 users’ permission. I assume this is a legitimate NANP number. And VP and other telecommunication device users can or will be able get a real, local number from any VRS provider, some now and for sure on January 1, 2009. And the customer can use any provider and not be limited to the provider that distributes the number. For example, if I was hearing, I could get a phone number from Verizon and use Sprint as my carrier. Now we deafies will have the same freedom with our VPs.
I am on side with Ojo-User’s comment. I am tired and sick of Sorenson’s dirty tactics in the past. For example, in the past it blocked its competitors of VRS in Sorenson VPs until FCC forced it to open to let us to access different VRS. It bothers me that it forced me to use my hearing partner’s voice number (not mine!) as proxy number which violates his rights of privacy. It is about time for Sorenson to change to real ten-digit number NOW. That is why I use Ojo VP and already disconnected Sorenson VP.
I am very grateful for HOVRS giving me my OWN new ten-digit phone number so I already passed to my hearing friends, relatives, doctors, more to reach me on my Ojo VP via HOVRS relay service. This method is MUCH easier for them and even me. I can’t wait for using this number for my deaf friends and relatives on VP only.
Good bye, Sorenson!
[...] request for limited waiver on proxy numbers. Ed’s Telecom Alert ? FCC PN on SorensonVRS’s Request for Limited Waiver on “Proxy&… I oppose that SorensonVRS is asking the FCC to allow one year of using proxy numbers till December [...]
Hi,
Sorenson should not request for waiver. They should give 10 numbers and it much easier for everyone to use their Local numbers instead of Proxy Numbers.
Folks,
I appreciate the comments and they’re revealing. Keep them coming. I believe most – if not all – of VRS providers as well as the decision-makers, shakers and movers read these comments as well based on feedbacks I’ve received from them in the past. Hopefully they will take a pause and reflect on the comments.
I’m glad most of these comments were based on facts. A couple I scratched my head, though.
FYI: I may block any comments that backstab invididual persons if I thought they were inappropriate. I will not block negative comments to any VRS providers, but make damn sure they’re based on facts or actual events.
Again, thanks for taking time to comment; they’re very much appreciated.
eyes open & thumbs up,
Ed B
To let you know that Sorenson VRS already started out with 10 digit numbers. It much better. I don’t even understand why everyone pick on Sorenson VRS.
As in my opinion, if that Videophone made by Sorenson, they should use sorenson VRS, not different VRS because it makes by Sorenson.
That is why CSDVRS and HOVRS and Viable had their own. I think people should not use like hovrs.tv and csdvrs.tv on “Sorenson VRS VP-200″
It is a good example. Sony and Apple. Both did not put like sony.tv on apple or apple.tv on sony. because they can’t it cause its by made. Once Videophone is under sorenson. then should use Sorenson.
but honestly, i know how deaf people are. they tend to complain and whine. Everyone tends to put a negative.
but to be honest with you, I do not like local number because I already have spoke with my cable company. They are telling me that they’re aware of local number so they’re working on it to increase the price for using internet or might will charge like “Local Number and use of internet.
So that is why soreson is trying to save people’s neck because they know it will be charge on everyone from the internet. so I promise you that cable will increase price on it because of local number. no discussion.
I think it’s fair to grant Sorenson an one year window to phase out their proxy numbers, as long as they actually do it and do not fight for an extension or something. After all, Sorenson has A LOT of proxy numbers to phase out. It still takes a while to do those things even if the technology is readily available.
The reasons for the argument against granting the waiver seem to stem from Sorenson’s aggressive protection of its market share. Sorenson is a normal corporation who will go out of its way to protect its market share. Free enterprise…I say…
Let em’ have an extra year, but make it clear that this is it…
you guys should chill out…you people get free vps…from who? take a moment and think about that
Careful, guys. Keep them respectful.
I think clarification is needed. The 10 digit phone numbers that several VRS providers claim to be “real” numbers. These numbers are real (that is, from a phone company, not made up ph number out of clear blue sky), but these numbers are not in the system (NeuStar who is the centralized number database coordinator) YET. What do I mean by that? Can these “real” numbers call from HOVRS to VP-200 (vp to vp)? No, not yet. That will happen – supposedly – before Dec 31, 2008. So in my opinion, these “real” numbers are not in the “system” of which the FCC mandated to happen yet. These numbers have not passed the “acid” test yet.
What I am uncertain is will these “real” numbers claimed by the VRS providers ultimately become part of the NeuStar system? From what I could understand, they will be, but I am not sure.
VRS providers, care to clarify that?
eyes open & thumbs up,
Ed
I am looking for some idea and stumble upon your posting
decide to wish you Thanks. Eugene
This makes sense… I am small business owner. So a lot deaf have my proxy number. I need them to be able to access to my business card with proxy number that i have given out in last two years.
Its like Cingular gave us time to give out new ATT email instead of using old cingular email. Joecool@cingular.blackberry.net point to joecool@att.blackberry.net for a period then cut off. Same process of transition. No cold turkey.
At least they are still following FCC ruling about adapt 10 digit to a device.
[...] request for limited waiver on proxy numbers. Ed’s Telecom Alert » FCC PN on SorensonVRS’s Request for Limited Waiver on “P… I oppose that SorensonVRS is asking the FCC to allow one year of using proxy numbers till December [...]
Robert,
SorensonVRS is in VRS industry to make money and they will use whatever business tactic to make it profitable. Unfortunately, I can say the same for ALL of VRS providers.
However, I think that with constant feedback from consumers over long haul, then hopefully VRS industry will learn to accomodate the needs of VRS users and meet most of what the consumers want.
eyes open & thumbs up,
Ed B
Hello Guys
I think FCC should let any VRS company to extend 1 year for transition from “proxy number” to “real number”. It is not because of VRS Company, it is because of customers. It is not my point that they already knew about it.
I am sure most of customers are not aware of and do not follow up with FCC on 10 digits number. Also I am sure majority of the customers will resist the idea of 10 digits number because it is new to them. They may not be comfortable with new system, which they used to old system.
Again, any VRS company will need one year to complete convince each customer to change over from “proxy number” to “real number”.
For deaf business, they will need one year of transition, too. They really need that for sure.
For myself, I am little of both.
T. B.