FCC Still Supports VRS
25 11 2009
Hello everyone!
Since I became part of Convo Team, I have become very involved with activities of Convo. Now that the affairs of Convo have become bit more settled plus all the recent happenings – see the links below the comment, I will be more involved with Edsalert.
Be aware that I own Edsalert and I also am co-founder of Convo so take the message for what it is.
As all of u know, I consider VRS as my baby, having been involved in its development from day one, but VRS belongs to every single one of you as well so I am disappointed and sad how VRS has turned out as I know many of you are disappointed and sad, too.
The recent events of FBI arrests due to the frauds, FCC holding back some of the funds from most of VRS providers due to the questionable video calls such as video conference calls just to ramp up the reimbursable minutes, and CBS news on VRS fraud, one would be concerned that VRS would be shut down.
I want to let you all know that shutting down VRS by the FCC or Congress will not happen. Congress and FCC also even FBI want VRS to continue, but want to stop the illegal VRS calls. VRS has gotten so big that shutting down VRS will cause lot of loud complaints from the deaf and hard of hearing persons as well from the national agencies or organizations representing deaf/hoh.
The sources tell me that VRS will not be shut down. What is likely to happen, though, we will see new or modified regulations on VRS from FCC and possibly from Congress. Both VRS providers and VRS users need to continue to provide feedback to the FCC and Congress on the importance of VRS continuing. Benefits of VRS clearly makes lives of deaf/hoh so much better that we must let the world know of that.
Here are the links:
eyes open & thumbs up,
Ed
I have a sinking feeling that the latest news about 26 arrests are just the tip of the iceberg, and that more devastating news are forthcoming. The VRS industry as a whole is now under serious scrutiny and will be in this state of affairs for quite some time.
It is comforting to know that VRS will still be around despite all of this. This is a vital service we all cannot do without. Make no mistake, all of this recent activity involving fraud and/or misuse of VRS jeopardizes the service as a whole, and such activities need to be clamped down and/or prosecuted.
From reading recent FCC filings, several VRS providers have asked for a FCC rule-making process about whether certain VRS calls are compensable. While I doubt it, I hope the FCC will accede to this request. (I predict that the FCC will simply codify a brightline rule (or two) on this issue, without the benefit of rule-making.)
Such VRS reform efforts will affect certain VRS providers and may well drive them out of business, and engender a possible industry-wide shakeout. Time will tell.
BTW, welcome back! Glad to see your Convo Relay venture going well. May it chart a successful course in these increasingly turbulent waters.
Ed you are contract with CAC are also contract with Viable. I feel sticky about Convo.
That’s good to hear that FCC still support as long as VRS are play with their rule.
Hiya, Ed and Cousin Vinny….well, all I have to say about this sordid affair is that its sad and makes me wonder about the future. As for “driving them out of business”, Vinny, I would say that is the way it should be; that is, allowing the free market forces to reduce the number of VRS businesses down to parity. Good old capitalism at work–as it should be. Its just too bad that parity, in this case, will be achieved through criminal enterprise.
Cousin,
good point. however, the issue has becomes pointing of funds incentive. Maybe they are talking about paying standard fees oppose to cost per minute.
It’s actually boiled point down is .. interpreters. They leaked that information to FCC, FBI and DOJ. Then FBI set it up to do much damages and they have no idea what call is all about. That’s a majority problem. It’s in my opinion is that if VRS is down and interpreters should be down too to due of ethics code are violations too. That will make many deaf/hoh people to cut off trust interpreters. That’s where it hits deaf/hoh hurts most. I can’t image if interpreters get away with it, they could enjoy policing and feel if they are higher than deaf/hoh? I will let you decide what’s fair what’s not?
One thing that bothered me most is that I checked history sorenson and viable. Both have been monitoring call center and they indeed closed out call centers, upon they discovered it without fcc or fbi involved. Should they do it continuing it or let FCC or FBI to handle it ?
VRS/TRS REFORM: My theory answer is if FCC reform those TRS rules. It’s more likely will restrict “deaf” or people who are in needed VP ability to “call” anywhere. Or maybe to restrict on how long they can hold on line. Also, it’s possible that FCC/FBI/DOJ might will give interpreters powers to report any activity against deaf/hoh .. it’s more likely.
That’s violate one or several US Laws. That’s where FCC puts in dilemma whether FCC should allows deaf/hoh to call whoever they wish or limit them?
In additional, FCC and FBI still wanted to continue VRS business. That’s what they wanted you to think. They are looking for a way to reduce or restrict it more OR required VRS to hire law enforcements just to monitors all of them?
Speaking of functional equivalent …TRS is not that that close to regular line or cell phone. It’s more of like 40%…. not 50% or even 98%.
Crazy? no! It’s getting real soon.
Dark days indeed. The Maryland Gazette has printed in detail the alleged instructions given by Viable Executives to the call center operators which is pretty damning if true – see link: http://www.gazette.net/stories/11272009/businew163254_32521.shtml
This if true means that this was carried out with a clear intention to mislead the authorities so I would applaud the interpreters – in any job if you come across something that is illegal or fraudulent I would expect you to report it because if you do not then you run a real risk of being prosecuted as an associate or as a party to the fraud itself.
Interesting enough to see the NECA figures for VRS drop by more than one million minutes a month and a claim pay out from $56.6million in May to $46.7million in August, so the scale seem to suggest that there are others playing the same game but at least they have now cleaned up (I hope!).
The ramifications is going beyond the States as here in Europe, telecom regulators are alerted to this and may make it difficult if not impossible to extend VRS over here – we have already heard comments from official sources that they are monitoring this closely and in contact with the FCC over the developments. A few bad apples has the potential to pollute the whole barrel of apples hurting innocents and putting back progress especially over here. This is unfortunate indeed
AnDrEw,
Thanks for being straightforward. I will do the same. Convo never has committed fraud or profited from manufactured minutes. Any actions by CAC that FCC may not approve, Convo has nothing to do with that. Watch Convo for upcoming announcements on its commitments to ethics.
However, this post is about the federal agencies – especially FCC’s – continued support for VRS. They will not shut down VRS, I wanted people to be aware of that.
I personally feel that the NECA should develop some kind of data on their computer or device to keep track how many minutes each VRS used. That would be our safeguard to make sure no one cheat at all. Someone has to be a watchdog in order to make sure each VRS are honestly keeping their records in order. If we can get NECA to develop a big computer of all the VRS companies to keep a honest record of how many minutes being used.
George,
According to the contract between NECA and FCC, NECA focuses only on accounting work and nothing else. However, because of all the mess, I think down in the future this will change. I believe FCC has released RFP for TRS Fund Administrator (currently, it is NECA, but its term will expire soon).
Presumably new TRS Administrator will have added (?) responsibility of monitoring data and assume watchdog responsibilities. We’ll see how this goes.
eyes open & thumbs up…
As long as you let callers choose their provider, the potential for fraud will exist. A system that would route calls to the next available interpreter would solve 90% of the problems with fraudulent billing. Big VRS providers will fight this because they could no longer keep a 10-digit number captive, and prior investments in giveaway or subsidized equipment would not benefit them any longer.
Cousin Vinny,
Thanks for well wishes.
I am afraid you may be right about tip of iceberg. There may or may not be another round of arrests. What is likely to happen, I suspect, is another round of “hold back” funds of a few VRS providers that may still provide illegal or questionable VRS calls. These “hold back” funds tactic are devastating for VRS providers as it stops or minimizes their cash flow; if VRS providers already had amble back-up fund then they will not suffer as much.
eyes open & thumbs up,
George Adams,
Interesting idea. Have NECA use a gigantic mainframe computer to process all VRS calls. Unfortunately that won’t fly. Too many technical issues and many new ideas won’t be possible with this system.
However, what I think FCC is leading to is to start reviewing all the minutes with a fine tooth comb (personally I think they should have done that a long time ago). I think that when FCC gets a new TRS Administrator (currently NECA), new responsibilities will be given to the new TRS administrator to keep an eye on all calls to ensure they are legal and all that. Gonna be a tough job, but suspect that is prob what will happen.
eyes open & thumbs up,
Hello guys, Regarding.. I’m trying to get closer to 100% verify how many are deaf and hearing people. So far I learned there are 18 — EIGHTEEN HEARING people!!! and only 8 DEAF people arrested. Please correct me.
Cousin Vinny,
I want to comment on your mentioning of codifying rule or two. I think this will be the case with VRS. There is a core regulation – from original TRS regulation that specifically said TRS is to provide a service between hearing persons and deaf/hoh and the exceptions are voice mail and answering machines. So if any TRS features do not specifically meet this core regulation, they’re in violation. I believe FCC will play on that angle.
We’ll see how FCC eventually addresses that…
eyes open & thumbs up,
Jeff is absolutely right! If he is who I think he is, he is an attorney and knows better. But we all know better; we don’t need a JD degree for that. I knew this government fraud with kickbacks scheme wouldn’t last. That wasn’t the worst part, however. What I knew even more was that it would cause trouble and great suspicion in a field that absolutely does not need that. Deaf and hard of hearing people who use sign language have waited since the 1870s to use the telephone in their natural language, and these people have to come along and risk it all through fraud? The FCC is already upset about how expensive it is to run the service. It costs plenty, and for the minutes that represent legitimate calls, I think the expense is justified. After all, you get what you pay for, and we all know that typists are cheaper and easier to find (and easier to house in one large building that covers the entire state) than sign language interpreters. I don’t understand how in the world anybody thinks that they can justify fraud, however. And for anybody to come along and risk the TRS fund that way, thank goodness the FCC will still support video relay and see the good in it, but anything could’ve happened. It is a very few rotten apples, but their effect will probably always be felt. They will probably get a white-collar style slap on the wrist, but I certainly hope that they will not be allowed to practice video relay provision in the United States again, at the very least.
Heard the Yeh’s are guiilty. Any confirmation?
tg
Here’s a link to the story:
http://beforeitsnews.com/story/240/203/Yeh_Brothers_Plead_Guilty_in_55_Million_Video_Relay_Service_Fraud.html
Another link
http://washingtondc.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/pressrel10/wfo102810.htm
A link to a personal message by John TC Yeh as reported by Seth Gerlis of i Deaf News: http://vimeo.com/m/#/16268599
Sad day indeed, but needed nevertheless. It is about time that the greedy, lying management feel the pain of their doings. Why is it that as soon as they start seeing some cash they all get greedy? Most of the managment lies and cheats their way into richness. All we want is an honest provider that is reliable. BUt that would be too much to ask. Integrity and honesty. I would like to see the FBI raid all the major providers, perhaps place a few undercover agents and actually see how they put all that money to work on developing better systems. Instead I think they will find out that a lot of that money is going to peoples pockets. Cut the rates and audit all of them.