Source: https://www.fcc.gov/print/node/50274
Timestamp: 2015-10-10 00:09:58
Document Index: 726920816

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 225', '§ 64', '§ 225', '§ 401', '§ 225', '§ 64', '§ 64', '§ 225']

TRS is a telephone transmission service that enables persons who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind, as well as those with speech disabilities to communicate by wire or radio with hearing individuals in a manner that is functionally equivalent to voice communication services utilized by those without such disabilities.3 Section 225 of the Act obligates the Commission to ensure that TRS is “available, to the extent possible and in the most efficient manner,” to persons with hearing or speech disabilities in the United States.4 In addition, the Act directs the Commission to adopt implementing regulations that encourage the use of existing technology and do not discourage or impair the development of new technologies.5
The Commission has approved various forms of TRS, including traditional Text telephone (TTY), VRS, and IP Relay.6 The Commission also has taken numerous steps to protect the TRS Fund from abuse and ensure that it only covers the cost of compensable minutes generated by eligible users.7 In 2008, the Commission adopted a new numbering system to assign VRS and IP Relayusers ten-digit numbers linked to the North American Numbering Plan.8 These dedicated numbers are similar to the telephone numbers used by persons without disabilities, allowing VRS and IP Relay users 3 See 47 U.S.C. § 225(a)(3). See also 47 C.F.R. § 64.601(a)(22).4 47 U.S.C. § 225(b)(1); see Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Pub. L. No. 101-336, § 401, 104 Stat. 327, 336-69 (1990). 5 47 U.S.C. § 225(d)(2).6 See 47 U.S.C. § 64.601.7 TRS users do not pay to use the service. To cover the costs of TRS, telecommunications carriers and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service providers collect a surcharge from all subscribers as part of the billing process. 47 C.F.R. § 64.604(c)(5) (establishing the method for recovering the costs of TRS from subscribers of interstate and intrastate telecommunications (e.g., mobile telephone, operator services, voice telephone services, toll free number services, international, etc.) and VoIP services and contributions to the TRS Fund). These monies are then paid into the TRS Fund and used to reimburse eligible TRS providers for the costs of providing TRS. 47 U.S.C. § 225(d)(3). Section 64.604(c)(5)(iii)(D) of the Rules requires TRS providers seeking compensation from the TRS Fund to submit true and adequate data to the TRS Fund administrator to, among other things, facilitate payments. 8 Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities, Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 23 FCC Rcd 11591 (2008) (Internet-Based TRS Order); Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities, Second Report and Order and Order on Reconsideration, 24 FCC Rcd 791 (2008) (Second Internet-Based TRS Report & Order).
to more easily make and receive calls, ensuring direct an