Ed’s Telecom Alert

Good People,

My good friend, Sheri, shared a report by the EAAC (see the post before this) and I am happy to share this informative report.  The report was submitted to the FCC on July 21, 2011.  The upcoming meeting will be about the report and the actions that may need to be taken to address access issues.  

EAAC Report

Many pages in this one, so bit hard to do quotable quotes, but I tell you worth clicking and reading.   

Basically the national survey focused on the following:

• Demographics of survey respondents
  
• Technologies respondents use to communicate
  
• Past use of 9-1-1 calling
  
• Preferences for emergency calling
  
• Disability specific analysis  
  

As you can see the report is worth reading.  

On the preference for emergency calling, it is worth noting that Text is the preferred one at 48%.  Video is the second with 35%.  Voice, Video and text together with 31%.  Speech and Artificial speech with 23%.   This is one example of intriguing survey findings. 

Let me know what you think of this report.   

eyes open & thumbs up,

Ed Bosson

Long Link: http://transition.fcc.gov/cgb/dro/EAAC/EAAC-REPORT.pdf

Folks..

Emergency Access Advisory Committee (EAAC which was formed by the FCC Chair) will have an all important meeting on Sept 9, 2011 to be held at the Commission headquarters, 445 12th St., SW, Commission Meeting Room, Washington, D.C. from 10:30 AM to 3:30 PM. The FCC Chair formed this Advisory Committee as required by the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010.

EAAC Meeting

Quotable quotes: 

The mission is as follows:

"The purpose of the EAAC is to determine the most effective and efficient technologies and methods by which to enable access to Next Generation 911 emergency services by individuals with disabilities."

The purpose by EAAC that was already DONE:

"..the Committee shall conduct a national survey, with the input of groups represented by the Committee’s membership, after which the Committee shall develop and submit to the Commission recommendations to implement such technologies and methods."

The follow up action now is:

"The EAAC survey has been completed and the EAAC is now considering recommendations based on the survey results."

Presumably the Mover and Shakers of the Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing/Speech-Disability/Deaf Blind/Blind/Various Disabilities will show up in that meeting.   If you're in the neighborhood, I strongly suggest you show up.   

I hope that EAAC already have taken into consideration into these issues:  It is already assumed that EAAC took into consideration of cell phones, tablets, VRS/TRS, texting, email, and video conferencing and how to meet these access needs for varying disabilities. I also hope the EAAC discussed media features such as FaceBook, Twitter, Google, interactive TV, etc, and whether these can be utilized in an emergency situation.  I would be really surprised if they did not address disaster areas, acts of God, and war zones and how various devices can help in these situation. And, finally, I hope EAAC addressed rural areas, and remote areas as these are likely to be hit by tornadoes and other acts of God.  

If you have thoughts or comments, do feel free to post.    I consider this very important issue.   

By the way and forgive the digress (not so much as it has to do with "access"), I live at what local yokes call "down the Valley"; in other words, I live on the side of valley which makes it inaccessible to high speed broadband Internet.   I just filed a complaint with the FCC and Texas Public Utility Commission against Time Warner as they have cable available mere 5 miles from where I live.   TW responded, and said we can meet your need, just choke out $55,000 and we'll be happy to do that.  Geez…as if I have that kind of money.  

eyes open & thumbs up,

Ed Bosson

Long Link: http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2011/db0830/DA-11-1473A1.pdf

Folks,

Check this out.

SprintLandLine

"The service, which will offer unlimited domestic calling for $19.99 per month, lets home or small business customers use a landline phone to connect to Sprint’s wireless network."

Landline to connect to wireless network?  Cool!  But note this:

"Verizon Wireless launched a service highly similar to Sprint Phone Connect back in February. Verizon calls its offering Home Phone Connect and it, too, offers unlimited calling for $20 a month by using a device similar to the one from Axesstel that is free with a two-year contract."

I still have landline as I do occasionally use landline for TTY Relay Service and to communicate with relatives as our Internet does have high speed broadband Internet.   This is something I may check into if it is really cheaper and reliable.  Any of you used that?  If so, your feedback, please?    

eyes open & thumbs up,

Ed Bosson

Long Link: http://www.telecompetitor.com/sprint-targets-landline-voice-customers-with-new-wireless-offering/

Folks,

This is intriguing letter from a group of companies and Association regarding advanced communication in rural areas.

Quotable quotes:

"..an unprecedented agreement to reform the mechanisms that support the affordability and availability of advanced communications services in rural areas."

"This universal service fund (USF) and intercarrier compensation reform framework represents the country's best chance to stabilize, modernize, and expand rural networks for years to come."

"..represents a new funding paradigm for rural telecommunications, redesigning support programs for the IP era. Our complementary proposals would promote sustainable, affordable broadband throughout rural America and make those who receive funds accountable to invest in the delivery of such service."

"The plans are aimed at balancing the dual needs to deploy broadband in hard-to-serve rural markets and sustain existing broadband assets. For rural wireless, we propose to set aside $300 million annually, an amount far in excess of the FCC’s recent Mobility Fund proposal."

I do not know whether to support that or not, but on the face value, it looks promising for the rural areas in getting better service; perhaps high speed broadband services.   

This statement "Our framework, which is comprised of two complementary plans to support the deployment and continued operation of networks by providers of all sizes, has recently been submitted to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)."  Indicates plans already submitted.    Check out the FCC website on this unless one of you can readily find it and provide links to that?    

eyes open & thumbs up..

Ed Bosson