Comments on: FCC Still Supports VRS http://www.edsalert.com/2009/11/25/fcc-still-support-vrshello-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/ POSTS ALERTS REGARDING TRS & ITS RELATED ISSUES Sun, 21 Mar 2010 13:44:15 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Terpgirl http://www.edsalert.com/2009/11/25/fcc-still-support-vrshello-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/comment-page-1/#comment-74588 Terpgirl Tue, 15 Dec 2009 07:52:20 +0000 http://www.edsalert.com/?p=998#comment-74588 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. 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.

]]> By: edsalert http://www.edsalert.com/2009/11/25/fcc-still-support-vrshello-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/comment-page-1/#comment-74343 edsalert Fri, 04 Dec 2009 22:52:24 +0000 http://www.edsalert.com/?p=998#comment-74343 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, 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,

]]> By: X-files http://www.edsalert.com/2009/11/25/fcc-still-support-vrshello-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/comment-page-1/#comment-74249 X-files Tue, 01 Dec 2009 21:38:18 +0000 http://www.edsalert.com/?p=998#comment-74249 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. 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.

]]> By: edsalert http://www.edsalert.com/2009/11/25/fcc-still-support-vrshello-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/comment-page-1/#comment-74210 edsalert Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:20:12 +0000 http://www.edsalert.com/?p=998#comment-74210 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, 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,

]]> By: edsalert http://www.edsalert.com/2009/11/25/fcc-still-support-vrshello-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/comment-page-1/#comment-74208 edsalert Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:05:43 +0000 http://www.edsalert.com/?p=998#comment-74208 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, 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,

]]> By: Chaz http://www.edsalert.com/2009/11/25/fcc-still-support-vrshello-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/comment-page-1/#comment-74193 Chaz Sun, 29 Nov 2009 14:23:57 +0000 http://www.edsalert.com/?p=998#comment-74193 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. 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.

]]> By: edsalert http://www.edsalert.com/2009/11/25/fcc-still-support-vrshello-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/comment-page-1/#comment-74174 edsalert Sat, 28 Nov 2009 22:02:56 +0000 http://www.edsalert.com/?p=998#comment-74174 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... 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…

]]> By: George Adams http://www.edsalert.com/2009/11/25/fcc-still-support-vrshello-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/comment-page-1/#comment-74172 George Adams Sat, 28 Nov 2009 21:24:34 +0000 http://www.edsalert.com/?p=998#comment-74172 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. 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.

]]> By: edsalert http://www.edsalert.com/2009/11/25/fcc-still-support-vrshello-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/comment-page-1/#comment-74164 edsalert Sat, 28 Nov 2009 15:04:21 +0000 http://www.edsalert.com/?p=998#comment-74164 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. 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.

]]> By: Jeff http://www.edsalert.com/2009/11/25/fcc-still-support-vrshello-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/comment-page-1/#comment-74162 Jeff Sat, 28 Nov 2009 13:45:51 +0000 http://www.edsalert.com/?p=998#comment-74162 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 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

]]>