FCC Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on STS

26 06 2008

All..

The FCC is asking for comments on several items regarding Speech-to-Speech.   Click this and consider commenting on this worthy notice.

FCC NPRM

The proposed items for comments are:

  • Same Relay Operator handling of STS call to last 20 min or more
    • Purpose of that is RO to get used to voice of STS User
    • STS User developing more confidence in RO understanding him/her
  • STS system to have voice of STS user muted, but allow the called party hear the voice of RO (not the voice of STS user)
  • Adding option for 7-1-1 where Interactive Voice Response offers option to hit one button that automatically routes to STS station
    • Purpose of that is to minimize RO who is not a specialized trained aoperator understanding voice of STS user
    • The FCC declines to require that, but wants to hear from STS users whether calling 711 tends to disconnect or not.
  • The FCC concludes that IP STS is a TRS feature and seeks comments for this tentative conclusion

There are more other items that the FCC is seeking comments on.  These above items are the primary area that I’ve identified.  

Strongly suggest that in order for the FCC to rule, that STS users make every effort to comment.

By the way, adding option to 711 was first introduced by no other than TEXAS!  

eyes open & thumbs up,

Ed B

 

Comments : No Comments »
Categories : FCC Issues, Alerts

The FCC Rule & Order for TN and Emergency Access

25 06 2008

All..
The FCC has finally released a long awaited Rule and Order (R&O) regarding ten-digit telephone number - real telephone numbers, not proxy or aliases - will be assigned to VRS and IP users.   Purpose of this real TN is to make it possible for VRS and IP Users call an emergency call and the system will automatically identify the VRS or IP user who they are and where they are. Just like landline phone.  
Here is the link.  
The R&O is over 160 pages long. So I will try to have series of Vlogs to explain what the R&O is all about.
I’ll start with the obvious…and I know many of you are curious which of the proposals won out.   NeuStar with its TRU (Telephone Number for Relay User) proposal,   Joint Proposal -AT&T, HOVRS, GoAmerica, and Dash – with its ORD (Open Relay Database) proposal, and CSDVRS with its ONS (One Number System) proposal. Which of the proposals won out?    
Ferocious lobbying to the FCC Commissioners and Staff were done by many people and companies; there were lobbying efforts to deaf/hoh Mover and Shakers as well.   In the end, it is the majority of deaf/hoh who has indicated the wish for least resistance, least number of changes, and most seamless system to accommodate future upgrades be the ideal system. So the FCC listened and chose ORD as the basic building system to build from.   Congratulations to the Join Proposal team for coming up with a proposal that ultimately should be a win-win solution. 
As you know I’ve flip-flopped between TRU and ORD, but with inclination towards ORD.   The R&O from the FCC helped put weigh on ORD and so I’m now solidly behind ORD.  
Be on the lookout for subsequent Vlogs that will expand on some of the issues that will impact you all. So far what I’ve read are exciting changes. If you can’t wait, go ahead and read 160 pages and be enlighten and realize that functional equivalence concept is bit truer with the R&O.
eyes open & thumbs up,
Ed B
Comments : 25 Comments »
Categories : VRS, Vlogs, FCC Issues, Alerts

Verizon’s Hands Slapped

24 06 2008

All..

Not related to relay service, but to consumer’s choices and access to proprietary data by telephone companies to get hold of previous subscribers who changed to a new provider.  

FCC Scolds Verizon

I found the article intriguing cuz I can see the same thing happening in Internet-based relay service industry where VRS or IP providers may access their customer database and reach out to these past subscribers or those who do not use their services much.  In fact, it happened to me.  I got a call from one VRS provider asking me to change over to their 800 phone number.  I told the person I prefer to stay with the same VRS provider.   Later, I realized where did that person get the vp nbr to reach me?  I used to have that VRS provider, but I changed to my current VRS provider.   hmmmm and tut tut…

Also the article is interesting that two democrat and two republician voted against FCC Chair Martin.  Unusual to see that.   

Read on and muse…

eyes open & thumbs up,

Ed B

Comments : 6 Comments »
Categories : Digress to Other Issues, FCC Issues, Alerts

« Previous Entries Next Entries »