**DA 06-1244**

**Released: June 9, 2006**

**NOTICE OF CERTIFICATION OF GOAMERICA, INC. AS A PROVIDER OF INTERNET
PROTOCOL RELAY (IP RELAY) AND VIDEO RELAY SERVICE (VRS) ELIGIBLE FOR
COMPENSATION FROM THE INTERSTATE TELECOMMUNICATIONS RELAY SERVICE (TRS)
FUND**

**CG DOCKET NO. 03-123**

By the Chief, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau:

On March 16, 2006, GoAmerica, Inc. (GoAmerica) filed an application for
certification[^1] as a provider of IP Relay and VRS services eligible
for compensation from the Interstate TRS Fund (Fund)[^2] pursuant to the
recently adopted provider certification rules.[^3] On April 21, 2006,
GoAmerica submitted a supplement[^4] to its original application for
certification. GoAmerica's application is granted, subject to the
conditions noted below.

On December 12, 2005, the Commission released an order adopting new
rules permitting carriers desiring to offer IP Relay and VRS services
and receive payment from the Fund to seek certification as a provider
eligible for compensation from the Fund.[^5] The rules require entities
seeking such certification to submit documentation to the Commission
setting forth, in narrative form:

> \(i\) a description of the forms of TRS to be provided (*i.e.,* VRS
> and/or IP Relay); (ii) a description of how the provider will meet all
> non-waived mandatory minimum standards applicable to each form of TRS
> offered; (iii) a description of the provider's procedures for ensuring
> compliance with all applicable TRS rules; (iv) a description of the
> provider's complaint procedures; (v) a narrative describing any areas
> in which the provider's service will differ from the applicable
> mandatory minimum standards; (vi) a narrative establishing that
> services that differ from the mandatory minimum standards do not
> violate applicable mandatory minimum standards; (vii) demonstration of
> status as a common carrier; and (viii) a statement that the provider
> will file annual compliance reports demonstrating continued compliance
> with these rules.\[[^6]\]

The rules further provide that after review of the submitted
documentation, the Commission shall certify that the provider of IP
Relay and VRS services is eligible for compensation from the Fund if the
Commission determines that the certification documentation:

> \(i\) establishes that the provision of IP Relay and VRS \... will
> meet or exceed all non-waived operational, technical, and functional
> minimum standards contained in § 64.604;
>
> \(ii\) establishes that the IP Relay and VRS \... provider makes
> available adequate procedures and remedies for ensuring compliance
> with the requirements of this section and the mandatory minimum
> standards contained in § 64.604, including that it makes available for
> TRS users informational materials on complaint procedures sufficient
> for users to know the proper procedures for filing complaints; and
>
> \(iii\) where the TRS service differs from the mandatory minimum
> standards contained in § 64.604, the IP Relay and VRS \... provider
> establishes that its service does not violate applicable mandatory
> minimum standards.\[[^7]\]

We have reviewed the *GoAmerica Application* and *GoAmerica Supplement*
pursuant to these rules. We conclude that GoAmerica has sufficiently
demonstrated that its provision of IP Relay and VRS services will meet
or exceed all operational, technical, and functional TRS standards set
forth in the Commission's rules, 47 C.F.R. § 64.604; that it makes
available adequate procedures and remedies for ensuring compliance with
applicable Commission rules; and that to the extent GoAmerica's service
differs from the mandatory minimum standards, the service does not
violate the rules.[^8]

We note that the Commission has adopted a declaratory ruling requiring
the interoperability of VRS equipment and service. [^9] We condition
this grant of certification upon compliance with that order.[^10] This
certification shall remain in effect for a period of five years from the
release date of this *Public Notice*.[^11] Within ninety days prior to
the expiration of this certification, GoAmerica may apply for renewal of
its IP Relay and VRS services certification by filing documentation in
accordance with the Commission\'s rules.[^12]

A copy of GoAmerica's application and supplement is available for public
inspection and copying during regular business hours at the FCC
Reference Information Center, Portals II, 445 12^th^ Street, SW., Suite
CY-A257, Washington, D.C. 20554, (202) 418-0270. The full text of this
*Public Notice* is similarly available for public inspection or copying.
These documents may also be purchased from the Commission's duplicating
contractor at Portals II, 445 12^th^ Street, SW., Room CY-B402,
Washington, D.C. 20554. Customers may contact the Commission's
duplicating contractor at their web site:
[www.bcpiweb.com](http://www.bcpiweb.com/) or by calling 1-800-378-3160.
A copy of Healinc's application may also be found by searching on the
Commission\'s Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS) at
<http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/ecfs> (insert CG Docket No. 03-123 into the
Proceeding block).

To request materials in accessible formats for people with disabilities
(Braille, large print, electronic files, audio format), send an e-mail
to <fcc504@fcc.gov> or call the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau
at (202) 418-0530 (voice), (202) 418-0432 (TTY). This *Public Notice*
can also be downloaded in Word or Portable Document Format (PDF) at:
<http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/dro>.

For further information, please contact Gregory Hlibok, Consumer &
Governmental Affairs Bureau, Disability Rights Office, at (866) 410-5787
ext. 16757 (voice), (202) 418-0431 (TTY), or e-mail at
[Gregory.Hlibok@fcc.gov](mailto:Dana.Jackson@fcc.gov).

**-FCC-**

[^1]: GoAmerica, Inc., *IP Relay and VRS Certification Application of
    GoAmerica, Inc.*, CG Docket No. 03-123 (March 16, 2006) (*GoAmerica
    Application*).

[^2]: \"Telecommunications Relay Service\" (TRS), created by Title IV of
    the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), enables an
    individual with a hearing or speech disability to communicate by
    telephone or other device through the telephone system with a person
    without such a disability. *See* 47 U.S.C. § 225(a)(3) (defining
    TRS); 47 C.F.R. § 64.601(14). IP Relay service is a text based form
    of TRS that allows user connection to the TRS facility via a
    computer (or other similar device) and the Internet, rather than via
    a TTY and the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). *See
    Provision of Improved Telecommunications Relay Services and
    Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech
    Disabilities*, CC Docket No. 98-67, Declaratory Ruling and Second
    Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 17 FCC Rcd 7779 (April 22,
    2002). Video Relay Service (VRS) is an Internet-based form of TRS
    that, rather than using text, allows people with hearing or speech
    disabilities who use sign language to communicate with voice
    telephone users through video equipment. The video link allows the
    CA to view and interpret the party's signed conversation and relay
    the conversation back and forth with a voice caller. *See* 47 C.F.R.
    § 64.601(12). The Interstate TRS Fund compensates eligible providers
    of IP Relay and VRS, and other forms or TRS for their reasonable
    costs of providing service. *See* 47 C.F.R. § 64.604(c)(5)(iii).

[^3]: *See Telecommunications Relay Services for Individuals with
    Hearing and Speech Disabilities,* Report and Order and Order on
    Reconsideration, CG Docket No. 03-123, FCC 05-203 (Dec. 12, 2005)
    (*2005 IP Relay and VRS Certification Order*); 47 C.F.R. §
    64.605(a)(2). Prior to the *2005 IP Relay and VRS Certification
    Order*, an entity desiring to offer TRS and receive compensation
    from the Fund had to meet one of the three eligibility standards set
    forth in 47 C.F.R. § 64.604(c)(5)(iii)(F).

[^4]: GoAmerica, Inc., *IP Relay and VRS Certification Supplement to
    Application of GoAmerica, Inc*., CG Docket No. 03-123 (April 21,
    2006) (*GoAmerica Supplement*).

[^5]: *2005 IP Relay and VRS Certification Order, supra.*

[^6]: 47 C.F.R. § 64.605(a)(2).

[^7]: 47 C.F.R. § 64.605(b)(2).

[^8]: *See, e.g., GoAmerica Supplement* at 3 (noting that GoAmerica will
    offer speed dialing, phone book directory and relay calls
    customization for IP Relay).

[^9]: *See Telecommunications Relay Services for Individuals with
    Hearing and Speech Disabilities,* CG Docket No. 03-123, Declaratory
    Ruling and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, FCC 06-57 (May 9,
    2006) (addressing California Coalition of Agencies Serving the Deaf
    and Hard of Hearing (CCASDHH), *Petition for Declaratory Ruling on
    Interoperability*, CC Docket No. 98-67, CG Docket No. 03-123 (filed
    Feb. 15, 2005)).

[^10]: *See also* 47 C.F.R. § 64.605(e)(2) (Commission may require
    certified providers to submit documentation demonstrating compliance
    with the mandatory minimum standards). Further, GoAmerica must file
    an annual report with the Commission evidencing that they are in
    compliance with Section 64.604. 47 C.F.R. § 64.605(g). The first
    such report shall be due one year after the release date of this
    *Public Notice*, and subsequent reports shall be due each year
    thereafter.

[^11]: *See* 47 C.F.R. § 64.605(c)(2).

[^12]: *See id.*