Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals With Hearing and Speech Disabilities, 11789-11791 [E7-4248]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 49 / Wednesday, March 14, 2007 / Rules and Regulations 2. Section 180.451 is amended by alphabetically adding commodities to the table in paragraph (a) to read as follows: I PART 180—[AMENDED] 1. The authority citation for part 180 continues to read as follows: I 11789 § 180.451 Tribenuron methyl; tolerances for residues. (a) * * * Authority: 21 U.S.C. 321(q), 346a and 371. Commodity Parts per million * * * * * Corn, field, forage ................................................................................................................................................................ Corn, field, grain .................................................................................................................................................................. Corn, field, stover ................................................................................................................................................................ * * * * * Rice, grain ............................................................................................................................................................................ Rice, straw ........................................................................................................................................................................... Sorghum, grain, forage ........................................................................................................................................................ Sorghum, grain, grain .......................................................................................................................................................... Sorghum, grain, stover ........................................................................................................................................................ Soybean, seed ..................................................................................................................................................................... Sunflower, seed ................................................................................................................................................................... * * * * * * * * * * [FR Doc. E7–4645 Filed 3–13–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–S FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 47 CFR Part 64 [CG Docket 03–123; DA 06–2532] Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals With Hearing and Speech Disabilities Federal Communications Commission. ACTION: Final rule; extension of waiver. AGENCY: SUMMARY: In this document, the Commission extends for an additional year the waiver of the emergency call handling requirement for providers of Video Relay Service (VRS). The Commission extends the waiver for one year in view of continued technological challenges to determining the geographic location of telecommunications relay service (TRS) calls that originate via the Internet. DATES: The waiver of the emergency call handling requirement will expire on January 1, 2008, or upon the release of an order addressing the VRS emergency call handling issue, whichever comes first. cprice-sewell on PROD1PC66 with RULES FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas Chandler, (202) 418–1475 (voice), (202) 418–0597 (TTY), or e-mail Thomas.Chandler@fcc.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On December 31, 2001, the Commission released Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech VerDate Aug<31>2005 14:23 Mar 13, 2007 Jkt 211001 Disabilities, Waiver Order, DA 01–3029, CC Docket No. 98–67, 17 FCC Rcd 157 (2001), granting VRS providers a waiver until December 31, 2003, of certain TRS mandatory minimum standards, including the emergency call handling requirement. On December 19, 2003, the Commission released Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities, Order, DA 03–4029, CC Docket No. 98–67, 18 FCC Rcd 26309 (2003), extending the waiver to June 30, 2004. On June 30, 2004, the Commission released Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities, 2004 TRS Report and Order, FCC 04–137, CC Docket No. 98– 67, published at 69 FR 53382, September 1, 2004, extending the waiver until January 1, 2006. On December 5, 2005, the Commission released Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities, Order, DA 05–3139, CG Docket No. 03–123, published at 70 FR 76712, December 28, 2005, again extending the waiver until January 1, 2007. This is a summary of the Commission’s document DA 06–2532, adopted December 15, 2006, released December 15, 2006. 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) or (202) 418–0432 (TTY). The Commission’s document DA 06–2532 can also be downloaded in Word and Portable Document Format (PDF) at https://www.fcc.gov/cgb.dro. PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 Synopsis The Commission’s TRS regulations set forth operational, technical, and functional mandatory minimum standards applicable to the provision of TRS. See 47 CFR 64.604 of the Commission’s rules (the TRS ‘‘mandatory minimum standards’’). To be eligible for reimbursement from the Interstate TRS Fund for the provision of TRS, the provider must offer service in compliance with all applicable mandatory minimum standards, unless waived. See Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities, Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Improved TRS Order and FNPRM), FCC 00–56, CC Docket No. 98–67, published at 65 FR 38432, June 21, 2000 and 65 FR 38490, June 21, 2000. The mandatory minimum standards require TRS providers to handle emergency calls by immediately and automatically transferring the calls to an appropriate public safety answering point (PSAP). See 47 CFR 64.604(a)(4) of the Commission’s rules. The Commission recognized that many individuals use VRS and IP Relay to contact emergency services despite the fact that persons with hearing and speech disabilities can make calls directly to the PSAP by calling 911 through a TTY and a traditional telephone line. See Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (VRS 911 NPRM), FCC 05– 196, CG Docket No. 03–123, published at 71 FR 5221, February 1, 2006. Regulations require state and local governments to make emergency E:\FR\FM\14MRR1.SGM 14MRR1 cprice-sewell on PROD1PC66 with RULES 11790 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 49 / Wednesday, March 14, 2007 / Rules and Regulations services directly accessible to TTY users (i.e., for direct TTY to TTY calls). In March 2000, the Commission recognized VRS as a form of TRS eligible for compensation from the Interstate TRS Fund. See Improved TRS Order and FNPRM, 15 FCC Rcd 5152– 5154, paragraphs 21–27. On December 31, 2001, the Commission granted VRS providers a two-year waiver of certain TRS mandatory minimum standards, including the emergency call handling requirement. This waiver was extended to January 1, 2007. See Telecommunications Relay Services Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities, Order (2005 VRS 911 Waiver Order), DA 05–3139, CG Docket No. 03–123, published at 70 FR76712, December 28, 2005. On November 30, 2005, the Commission released the VRS 911 NPRM, seeking comment on how providers of the Internet-based TRS services, including VRS, may determine the appropriate PSAP to contact when they receive an emergency call. See (VRS 911 NPRM). The Commission emphasized the importance of developing the technology required to promptly route VRS calls seeking emergency assistance to the appropriate emergency service provider. VRS 911 NPRM, 20 FCC Rcd 19476—19477, paragraphs 1–2, 19484, paragraph 18. On November 14, 2006, Sprint Nextel Corporation filed a petition to extend the waiver until January 1, 2008, or until the release of an order addressing this matter, whichever happens first. Sprint Nextel Corporation (Sprint), Petition for Waiver, CG Docket No. 03– 123, filed November 14, 2006 (Sprint Petition). In its petition, Sprint states that the technological challenges that led to the extension of the current waiver for VRS are still present. Sprint therefore states that because providers are still unable to automatically determine the geographic location of VRS callers, there is good cause for extending the waiver. On November 15, 2006, the Commission held the E9–1–1 Disability Access Summit (Summit) to discuss advances in E9–1–1 calling technology and access for persons with hearing and speech disabilities, including via VRS calls. FCC Releases Agenda for November 15 E9–1–1 Disability Access Summit, News Release (November 13, 2006). The Summit brought together representatives from the government, industry, and consumer groups to exchange information and evaluate options for addressing this critical issue. During the Summit, Sprint, Communications Services for the Deaf VerDate Aug<31>2005 14:23 Mar 13, 2007 Jkt 211001 (CSD), Communications Access Center (CAC), Hands On Video Relay Services (Hands On), Hamilton Relay (Hamilton), and Sorenson Communications (Sorenson), all VRS providers, noted that technology has not yet been developed to allow them to automatically forward emergency VRS calls to the appropriate PSAP. See E9– 1–1 Disability Access Summit, Meeting Transcript (November 15, 2006). They also explained the interim methods being used to connect VRS calls to PSAPs. These include ensuring that incoming emergency VRS calls are given priority call handling, using two CAs during an emergency call to ensure that location and other necessary information is gathered from the VRS user, in other words, in addition to the CA handling the relay call, a second CA would assist in relaying the call and use of a national database to locate the appropriate PSAP to call. CSD Comments, E9–1–1 Disability Access Summit, Provider Panel. In other words, if the VRS caller is able to do so, the caller provides the CA with his or her location, the CA determines the appropriate PSAP for that location through a national database, and the CA then makes the outbound call to the PASP. Another provider noted that its CAs will stay on the call until the first responders arrive at the emergency location to ensure that the VRS user is able to communicate with the emergency personnel. Sorenson Comments, E9–1–1 Disability Access Summit, Provider Panel. Also during the Summit, Consumer groups acknowledged that users are moving away from using TTYs and that VRS is now widely used in the deaf community. See, e.g., NorCal Center on Deafness Comments, E9–1–1 Disability Access Summit, Consumer Panel. Consumers also advocated for the development of automated methods for determining the location of VRS callers, the ability to handle emergency calls from mobile devices, training for 911 operators on responding to calls from persons with speech or hearing disabilities, and interoperability between PSAPs. See E9–1–1 Disability Access Summit, Consumer Panel (panelist representing consumers included Sheri Farinha Mutti, Claude Stout, Rebecca Ladew, Ed Bosson, and Elizabeth Spiers). Discussion The Commission recognizes the vital importance of access to emergency services for all relay services, particularly VRS. For this reason, the Commission sought detailed comment on this issue in the VRS 911 NPRM, and PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 recently held the E9–1–1 Disability Access Summit to explore continuing developments to finding a solution to this issue. The Commission also recognizes, however, that although providers and other interested parties are actively working toward a solution to this critical issue, presently a technological solution does not exist to automatically route Internet-based emergency VRS calls to the appropriate PSAP—i.e., to automatically determine the geographic location of the VRS caller so the call can be linked to the appropriate PSAP. For this reason, some providers have taken interim measures for handling emergency calls. For example, some providers are able to give emergency calls priority call handling. See, e.g., Sorenson Comments, E9–1–1 Disability Access Summit, Provider Panel. Providers may consider the feasibility of using a dedicated emergency calling ‘‘link’’ on their VRS Web-site that callers making an emergency VRS call can use and that will allow providers to promptly identify and handle incoming emergency calls. Others use two CAs on an emergency call to assist in gathering accurate information from the caller. See, e.g., E9–1–1 Disability Access Summit, Provider Panel (remarks of CSD and Verizon). At least one provider uses a national database to determine the appropriate PSAP for the caller’s location. See, e.g., Sorenson Comments, E9–1–1 Disability Access Summit, Provider Panel (noting that it uses Intrado to determine the appropriate PSAP and its telephone number for a particular address). Until a technological solution is adopted that automatically routes VRS 911 calls, the Commission encourages all VRS providers to take similar or other steps to ensure that emergency calls are routed to the appropriate PSAP as quickly as possible. The Commission may waive a provision of its rules for ‘‘good cause shown.’’ 47 CFR 1.3; see generally 2004 TRS Report and Order, 19 FCC Rcd 12520, paragraph 110 (discussing standard for waiving Commission rules). Because it is apparent that the current state of technology does not allow a means of automatically determining the geographic location of TRS calls originating via the Internet, including VRS calls, the Commission finds good cause exists to extend the present waiver of the emergency call handling requirement for VRS providers until January 1, 2008 or upon the release of an order addressing this issue, whichever comes first. The Commission also notes that a similar issue exists E:\FR\FM\14MRR1.SGM 14MRR1 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 49 / Wednesday, March 14, 2007 / Rules and Regulations with respect to VoIP service (i.e., voice telephone calls made via the Internet rather than the PSTN), and that for this reason, the Commission has presently mandated that VoIP providers obtain a registered location for each of their customers so that the providers can direct an emergency VoIP call to the appropriate PSAP. In the pending VRS 911 NPRM, the Commission sought comment on the adoption of a registered location requirement similar to the VoIP requirement. VRS 911 NPRM, 20 FCC Rcd 19484–19486, paragraphs 19–22. In addition, the Commission raised other potential options for addressing emergency call handling, including developing a unified database of PSAPs that providers could use when receiving an emergency call, requiring providers to give priority access to emergency calls, and structuring VRS and IP Relay calls in such a way that they include a VoIP call, so that the VoIP registration could apply to the VRS or IP Relay call. VRS 911 NPRM, 20 FCC Rcd 19487, paragraphs 24–26. These issues remain pending. Ordering Clause Pursuant to the authority contained in sections 225 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. 225, and § § 0.141, 0.361, and 1.3 of the Commission’s rules, 47 CFR 0.141, 0.361, 1.3, the Order is adopted. Federal Communications Commission. Jay Keithley, Deputy Bureau Chief, Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau. [FR Doc. E7–4248 Filed 3–13–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6712–01–P short-spacing to the license site of FM Station KBRQ, Channel 273C1, Hillsboro, Texas. A counterproposal filed by Starboard Media Foundation, Inc., proposing the reservation of Channel 274A at Milano, Texas for noncommercial educational use was dismissed pursuant to Section 73.525(c) of the Commission’s Rules. DATES: Effective April 9, 2007. ADDRESSES: Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, 445 Twelfth Street, SW., Washington, DC 20554. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rolanda F. Smith, Media Bureau, (202) 418–2180. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Commission’s Report and Order, MB Docket No. 05–97, adopted February 21, 2007, and released February 23, 2007. The Notice of Proposed Rule Making proposed the allotment of Channel 274A at Milano, Texas. See 70 FR 15046, published March 24, 2005. The full text of this Commission decision is available for inspection and copying during normal business hours in the Commission’s Reference Center, 445 Twelfth Street, SW., Washington, DC 20554. The complete text of this decision may also be purchased from the Commission’s duplicating contractor, Best Copy and Printing, Inc., 445 12th Street, SW., Room CY–B402, Washington, DC 20554, telephone 1–800–378–3160 or www.BCPIWEB.com. The Commission will send a copy of this Report and Order in a report to be sent to Congress and the Government Accountability Office pursuant to the Congressional Review Act, see 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A). FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION List of Subjects in 47 CFR Part 73 47 CFR Part 73 I Radio, Radio broadcasting. As stated in the preamble, the Federal Communications Commission amends 47 CFR Part 73 as follows: [DA 07–810; MB Docket No. 05–97; RM– 11186; RM–11251] Radio Broadcasting Services; Milano, TX PART 73—RADIO BROADCAST SERVICES cprice-sewell on PROD1PC66 with RULES 14:23 Mar 13, 2007 Jkt 211001 [DA 07–809; MB Docket No. 05–229; RM– 10780] Radio Broadcasting Services; Madisonville and Rosebud, TX Federal Communications Commission. AGENCY: Final rule; denial of petition for reconsideration. ACTION: SUMMARY: This document denies a petition for reconsideration filed by Gerald Proctor (‘‘Proctor’’) directed to the Report and Order in this proceeding. In denying the petition for reconsideration, the Media Bureau affirms the dismissal of Proctor’s untimely expression of interest because it would prejudice a conflicting application. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Helen McLean, Media Bureau, (202) 418–2738. This is a synopsis of the Commission’s Memorandum Opinion and Order, MB Docket No. 05–229, adopted February 21, 2007, and released February 23, 2007. The full text of this Commission decision is available for inspection and copying during regular business hours at the FCC’s Reference Information Center, Portals II, 445 Twelfth Street, SW., Room CY–A257, Washington, DC 20554. The complete text of this decision may also be purchased from the Commission’s duplicating contractor, Best Copy and Printing, Inc., 445 12th Street, SW., Room CY–B402, Washington, DC 20554, telephone 1– 800–378–3160 or https:// www.BCPIWEB.com. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Federal Communications Commission. John A. Karousos, Assistant Chief, Audio Division, Media Bureau. [FR Doc. E7–4543 Filed 3–13–07; 8:45 am] Federal Communications Commission. John A. Karousos, Assistant Chief, Audio Division, Media Bureau. [FR Doc. E7–4548 Filed 3–13–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6712–01–P BILLING CODE 6712–01–P Authority: 47 U.S.C. 154, 303, 334, 336. § 73.202 VerDate Aug<31>2005 47 CFR Part 73 2. Section 73.202(b), the Table of FM Allotments under Texas, is amended by adding Milano, Channel 274A. 1. The authority citation for part 73 continues to read as follows: The Audio Division granted a Petition for Rule Making filed by Charles Crawford, requesting the allotment of Channel 274A at Milano, Texas, as its first local service. The reference coordinates for Channel 274A at Milano, Texas are 30–38–30 NL and 96–55–00 WL. This allotment requires a site restriction of 9.2 kilometers (5.7 miles) southwest of Milano to avoid a SUMMARY: FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION This document is not subject to the Congressional Review Act. The Commission is, therefore, not required to submit a copy of this Memorandum Opinion and Order to the Government Accountability Office pursuant to the Congressional Review Act, see 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A) because the aforementioned petition for reconsideration was denied. I Federal Communications Commission. ACTION: Final rule. AGENCY: 11791 [Amended] I PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\14MRR1.SGM 14MRR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 49 (Wednesday, March 14, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 11789-11791]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-4248]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR Part 64

[CG Docket 03-123; DA 06-2532]


Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services 
for Individuals With Hearing and Speech Disabilities

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Final rule; extension of waiver.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In this document, the Commission extends for an additional 
year the waiver of the emergency call handling requirement for 
providers of Video Relay Service (VRS). The Commission extends the 
waiver for one year in view of continued technological challenges to 
determining the geographic location of telecommunications relay service 
(TRS) calls that originate via the Internet.

DATES: The waiver of the emergency call handling requirement will 
expire on January 1, 2008, or upon the release of an order addressing 
the VRS emergency call handling issue, whichever comes first.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas Chandler, (202) 418-1475 
(voice), (202) 418-0597 (TTY), or e-mail Thomas.Chandler@fcc.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On December 31, 2001, the Commission 
released Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech 
Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities, Waiver 
Order, DA 01-3029, CC Docket No. 98-67, 17 FCC Rcd 157 (2001), granting 
VRS providers a waiver until December 31, 2003, of certain TRS 
mandatory minimum standards, including the emergency call handling 
requirement. On December 19, 2003, the Commission released 
Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for 
Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities, Order, DA 03-4029, CC 
Docket No. 98-67, 18 FCC Rcd 26309 (2003), extending the waiver to June 
30, 2004. On June 30, 2004, the Commission released Telecommunications 
Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with 
Hearing and Speech Disabilities, 2004 TRS Report and Order, FCC 04-137, 
CC Docket No. 98-67, published at 69 FR 53382, September 1, 2004, 
extending the waiver until January 1, 2006. On December 5, 2005, the 
Commission released Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-
Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities, 
Order, DA 05-3139, CG Docket No. 03-123, published at 70 FR 76712, 
December 28, 2005, again extending the waiver until January 1, 2007. 
This is a summary of the Commission's document DA 06-2532, adopted 
December 15, 2006, released December 15, 2006.
    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) or (202) 418-0432 (TTY). The 
Commission's document DA 06-2532 can also be downloaded in Word and 
Portable Document Format (PDF) at https://www.fcc.gov/cgb.dro.

Synopsis

    The Commission's TRS regulations set forth operational, technical, 
and functional mandatory minimum standards applicable to the provision 
of TRS. See 47 CFR 64.604 of the Commission's rules (the TRS 
``mandatory minimum standards''). To be eligible for reimbursement from 
the Interstate TRS Fund for the provision of TRS, the provider must 
offer service in compliance with all applicable mandatory minimum 
standards, unless waived. See Telecommunications Relay Services and 
Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech 
Disabilities, Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed 
Rulemaking (Improved TRS Order and FNPRM), FCC 00-56, CC Docket No. 98-
67, published at 65 FR 38432, June 21, 2000 and 65 FR 38490, June 21, 
2000.
    The mandatory minimum standards require TRS providers to handle 
emergency calls by immediately and automatically transferring the calls 
to an appropriate public safety answering point (PSAP). See 47 CFR 
64.604(a)(4) of the Commission's rules. The Commission recognized that 
many individuals use VRS and IP Relay to contact emergency services 
despite the fact that persons with hearing and speech disabilities can 
make calls directly to the PSAP by calling 911 through a TTY and a 
traditional telephone line. See Telecommunications Relay Services and 
Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech 
Disabilities, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (VRS 911 NPRM), FCC 05-196, 
CG Docket No. 03-123, published at 71 FR 5221, February 1, 2006. 
Regulations require state and local governments to make emergency

[[Page 11790]]

services directly accessible to TTY users (i.e., for direct TTY to TTY 
calls).
    In March 2000, the Commission recognized VRS as a form of TRS 
eligible for compensation from the Interstate TRS Fund. See Improved 
TRS Order and FNPRM, 15 FCC Rcd 5152-5154, paragraphs 21-27. On 
December 31, 2001, the Commission granted VRS providers a two-year 
waiver of certain TRS mandatory minimum standards, including the 
emergency call handling requirement. This waiver was extended to 
January 1, 2007. See Telecommunications Relay Services Speech-to-Speech 
Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities, Order 
(2005 VRS 911 Waiver Order), DA 05-3139, CG Docket No. 03-123, 
published at 70 FR76712, December 28, 2005.
    On November 30, 2005, the Commission released the VRS 911 NPRM, 
seeking comment on how providers of the Internet-based TRS services, 
including VRS, may determine the appropriate PSAP to contact when they 
receive an emergency call. See (VRS 911 NPRM). The Commission 
emphasized the importance of developing the technology required to 
promptly route VRS calls seeking emergency assistance to the 
appropriate emergency service provider. VRS 911 NPRM, 20 FCC Rcd 
19476--19477, paragraphs 1-2, 19484, paragraph 18.
    On November 14, 2006, Sprint Nextel Corporation filed a petition to 
extend the waiver until January 1, 2008, or until the release of an 
order addressing this matter, whichever happens first. Sprint Nextel 
Corporation (Sprint), Petition for Waiver, CG Docket No. 03-123, filed 
November 14, 2006 (Sprint Petition). In its petition, Sprint states 
that the technological challenges that led to the extension of the 
current waiver for VRS are still present. Sprint therefore states that 
because providers are still unable to automatically determine the 
geographic location of VRS callers, there is good cause for extending 
the waiver.
    On November 15, 2006, the Commission held the E9-1-1 Disability 
Access Summit (Summit) to discuss advances in E9-1-1 calling technology 
and access for persons with hearing and speech disabilities, including 
via VRS calls. FCC Releases Agenda for November 15 E9-1-1 Disability 
Access Summit, News Release (November 13, 2006). The Summit brought 
together representatives from the government, industry, and consumer 
groups to exchange information and evaluate options for addressing this 
critical issue.
    During the Summit, Sprint, Communications Services for the Deaf 
(CSD), Communications Access Center (CAC), Hands On Video Relay 
Services (Hands On), Hamilton Relay (Hamilton), and Sorenson 
Communications (Sorenson), all VRS providers, noted that technology has 
not yet been developed to allow them to automatically forward emergency 
VRS calls to the appropriate PSAP. See E9-1-1 Disability Access Summit, 
Meeting Transcript (November 15, 2006). They also explained the interim 
methods being used to connect VRS calls to PSAPs. These include 
ensuring that incoming emergency VRS calls are given priority call 
handling, using two CAs during an emergency call to ensure that 
location and other necessary information is gathered from the VRS user, 
in other words, in addition to the CA handling the relay call, a second 
CA would assist in relaying the call and use of a national database to 
locate the appropriate PSAP to call. CSD Comments, E9-1-1 Disability 
Access Summit, Provider Panel. In other words, if the VRS caller is 
able to do so, the caller provides the CA with his or her location, the 
CA determines the appropriate PSAP for that location through a national 
database, and the CA then makes the outbound call to the PASP. Another 
provider noted that its CAs will stay on the call until the first 
responders arrive at the emergency location to ensure that the VRS user 
is able to communicate with the emergency personnel. Sorenson Comments, 
E9-1-1 Disability Access Summit, Provider Panel.
    Also during the Summit, Consumer groups acknowledged that users are 
moving away from using TTYs and that VRS is now widely used in the deaf 
community. See, e.g., NorCal Center on Deafness Comments, E9-1-1 
Disability Access Summit, Consumer Panel. Consumers also advocated for 
the development of automated methods for determining the location of 
VRS callers, the ability to handle emergency calls from mobile devices, 
training for 911 operators on responding to calls from persons with 
speech or hearing disabilities, and interoperability between PSAPs. See 
E9-1-1 Disability Access Summit, Consumer Panel (panelist representing 
consumers included Sheri Farinha Mutti, Claude Stout, Rebecca Ladew, Ed 
Bosson, and Elizabeth Spiers).

Discussion

    The Commission recognizes the vital importance of access to 
emergency services for all relay services, particularly VRS. For this 
reason, the Commission sought detailed comment on this issue in the VRS 
911 NPRM, and recently held the E9-1-1 Disability Access Summit to 
explore continuing developments to finding a solution to this issue. 
The Commission also recognizes, however, that although providers and 
other interested parties are actively working toward a solution to this 
critical issue, presently a technological solution does not exist to 
automatically route Internet-based emergency VRS calls to the 
appropriate PSAP--i.e., to automatically determine the geographic 
location of the VRS caller so the call can be linked to the appropriate 
PSAP. For this reason, some providers have taken interim measures for 
handling emergency calls. For example, some providers are able to give 
emergency calls priority call handling. See, e.g., Sorenson Comments, 
E9-1-1 Disability Access Summit, Provider Panel. Providers may consider 
the feasibility of using a dedicated emergency calling ``link'' on 
their VRS Web-site that callers making an emergency VRS call can use 
and that will allow providers to promptly identify and handle incoming 
emergency calls. Others use two CAs on an emergency call to assist in 
gathering accurate information from the caller. See, e.g., E9-1-1 
Disability Access Summit, Provider Panel (remarks of CSD and Verizon). 
At least one provider uses a national database to determine the 
appropriate PSAP for the caller's location. See, e.g., Sorenson 
Comments, E9-1-1 Disability Access Summit, Provider Panel (noting that 
it uses Intrado to determine the appropriate PSAP and its telephone 
number for a particular address). Until a technological solution is 
adopted that automatically routes VRS 911 calls, the Commission 
encourages all VRS providers to take similar or other steps to ensure 
that emergency calls are routed to the appropriate PSAP as quickly as 
possible.
    The Commission may waive a provision of its rules for ``good cause 
shown.'' 47 CFR 1.3; see generally 2004 TRS Report and Order, 19 FCC 
Rcd 12520, paragraph 110 (discussing standard for waiving Commission 
rules). Because it is apparent that the current state of technology 
does not allow a means of automatically determining the geographic 
location of TRS calls originating via the Internet, including VRS 
calls, the Commission finds good cause exists to extend the present 
waiver of the emergency call handling requirement for VRS providers 
until January 1, 2008 or upon the release of an order addressing this 
issue, whichever comes first. The Commission also notes that a similar 
issue exists

[[Page 11791]]

with respect to VoIP service (i.e., voice telephone calls made via the 
Internet rather than the PSTN), and that for this reason, the 
Commission has presently mandated that VoIP providers obtain a 
registered location for each of their customers so that the providers 
can direct an emergency VoIP call to the appropriate PSAP. In the 
pending VRS 911 NPRM, the Commission sought comment on the adoption of 
a registered location requirement similar to the VoIP requirement. VRS 
911 NPRM, 20 FCC Rcd 19484-19486, paragraphs 19-22. In addition, the 
Commission raised other potential options for addressing emergency call 
handling, including developing a unified database of PSAPs that 
providers could use when receiving an emergency call, requiring 
providers to give priority access to emergency calls, and structuring 
VRS and IP Relay calls in such a way that they include a VoIP call, so 
that the VoIP registration could apply to the VRS or IP Relay call. VRS 
911 NPRM, 20 FCC Rcd 19487, paragraphs 24-26. These issues remain 
pending.

Ordering Clause

    Pursuant to the authority contained in sections 225 of the 
Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. 225, and Sec.  Sec.  
0.141, 0.361, and 1.3 of the Commission's rules, 47 CFR 0.141, 0.361, 
1.3, the Order is adopted.

Federal Communications Commission.
Jay Keithley,
Deputy Bureau Chief, Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau.
 [FR Doc. E7-4248 Filed 3-13-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P
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