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Ed's Telecom Alert

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Ed's Telecom Alert All.. RT Newsletter Summer 2008. This will be my last RT Newsletter as a PUC employee. RT NL 2008 By the way, the STAP Coordinator position has been filled to replace Kristen (she works for Viable now). The Relay Texas Administrator has yet to be filled, but likely will be filled by next week. eyes open & thumbs ...
Language Tech Culture Fri, Aug 22 2008

States Certified to Provide TRS

Ed's Telecom Alert All.. The FCC has certified a list of states that meets the following criterias: (1) The TRS program of the states meet or exceed all operational, technical, and functional minimum standards contained in section 64.604 of the Commission's rules; 3 (2) The TRS programs of the listed states make available adequate procedures and remedies for enforcing the requir...
Tech Thu, Jul 17 2008

Town Hall Meeting @ Lubbock

Ed's Telecom Alert Folks, Two Special Events in Lubbock, TX Wed., July 30th 2008 Mr. Gatti's Pizza 5001 50th St. Lubbock, TX 79414 5 PM to 6 PM --- Sprint BlackBerry Sales Event Come and learn more about the hottest selling wireless pagers for the Deaf. Come and see the BlackBerry Curve, available in either black or red! ...
Wed, Jul 16 2008

Another Partnership

Ed's Telecom Alert All.. Click to the press news release on Viable partnering with Sign Share group (Houston-based). SignShare It has become a trend nowadays; interpreter service providers either partnering with VRS provider or absorbed (bought) into VRS provider. Not many free-standing interpreter service providers left in the good ole USA. Viable partnering wi...
Language Tech Tue, Jul 15 2008

Ed's Telecom Alert All.. Hey, folks- another one - don't know what it looks like, but neverheless an announcement of another video conference product/service by WorldGate. Copy and paste one paragraph related to SnapVRS. Interesting to note "ojo's biggest customer" is serving the deaf and hoh. "The MSRP for the Ojo Pro will ...
Tech Thu, Jul 10 2008

CSDVRS Newest Video Phones

Ed's Telecom Alert All.. See the links of the latest releases of new video phones by CSDVRS. ZIP 340 ZT-150 Hats off to CSDVRS for doing that! I am sure most of us are eager to know how well they work, cost of them, etc. Any of you go to the NAD conference? If so, did you check these nifty video phones [...]
Tech Thu, Jul 10 2008

Expand Civil Rights?

Ed's Telecom Alert All.. Click this and tell me if it is a good one or a wimpy bill? It is about Congress strengthening Civil Rights bill. NYT Article On Civil Rights This may require free registration. My interpretation is that it is still wimpy, but headed in right direction. eyes open & thumbs up, Ed B
Media Legal Mon, Jul 07 2008

Broadband Lacking…

Ed's Telecom Alert All.. Click to this and learn what a study revealed... [link] Excerpts from the link. "..attitude rather than availability may be the key reason why more Americans don't have high-speed" and Vint Cert, considered Father of Internet and himself is hard-of-hearing said why he preferred high speed broadband with the following remark "My enthu...
Thu, Jul 03 2008

Go America’s Explanation of TN

Ed's Telecom Alert All.. Kelby Brick explained very clearly the powerful and liberating new TN that the FCC recently released. View this and gain better undersanding of exactly what all this is about. Nicely done, Kelby. [link] You know how it is, no matter how carefully, how clearly you explained that to contact you, they (doctor, mechanic, technicians,...
Tech Legal Wed, Jul 02 2008

FCC Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on STS

Ed's Telecom Alert 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 [...]
Tech Legal Thu, Jun 26 2008

FCC Seeking Contractors to do Number Database for 10-Digit...

Ed's Telecom Alert All.. Hey, that was fast work on the FCC's part. Below two links will explain the type of service the FCC is seeking. Contractor - doc Contractor - pdf Below is the synoposis of Internet-based TRS Telephone Numbering Directory where bidders can participate. Synoposis Seeking Contractor eyes open & thumbs up, Ed B
Tech Legal Thu, Jun 26 2008

Demo of Ten-Digit TN by GoAmerica and AT&T

Ed's Telecom Alert All. Right after the FCC released Rule & Order of 10-Digit TN and Emergency Access along with Further Notice issues, GoAmerica and AT&T were quick to release a press news on their intend to demonstrate the 10-Digit TN. GoAmerica and AT&T, will demonstrate 10-Digit which will be fully Interoperable between VRS providers. Click and be excit...
Language Tech Legal Thu, Jun 26 2008

The FCC Rule & Order for TN and Emergency Access

Ed's Telecom Alert 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 [...]
Tech Legal Wed, Jun 25 2008

Verizon’s Hands Slapped

Ed's Telecom Alert 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 ma...
Tech Tue, Jun 24 2008

Do-Not-Call-Register

Ed's Telecom Alert All.. This bears worth repeating as I get emails and video calls every so often asking for the information on do-not-call registry. I saw this article and thought worth sharing with y'all. It contains a phone number for deaf/hoh. Easier to use Internet, though. Article mentions that just because one is on the do-not-call-list does n...
Tech Tue, Jun 24 2008

Telephone Number System for VRS

Ed's Telecom Alert All... Wow - there is an intense lobbying by VRS providers and Number Service companies to the FCC that their "proposals" are best. NeuStar #1 Interesting point by NeuStar that "path" of the video phone distributed video relay service will go thru even if another VRS provider is chosen as a default is seen as a virtue; [...]
Tech Legal Sun, Jun 08 2008

SNAPVRS Own Network

Ed's Telecom Alert All.. A quick one...SnapVRS with an agreement with WorldGate will own its own network. Congrats, SnapVRS. See the link SnapVRS Own Network eyes open & thumbs up, Ed B
Media Language Tech Wed, Apr 16 2008

FCC Approves Emergency Alert Text Messaging

Ed's Telecom Alert All.. GREAT! Worth reading the article... [link] eyes open & thumbs up, Ed B
Language Tech Legal Thu, Apr 10 2008

How To File Comments to the FCC

Ed's Telecom Alert All.. This is a basic explanation on how to file comments with the FCC. Let's say u read Rule and Order and it had docket 03-123 (that is TRS docket). You read the R&O, u got angry, and all flushed up and ready to file a petition for reconsideration. Or file a comments in response to [...]
Language Tech Legal Fri, Apr 04 2008

FCC Terms Explained

Ed's Telecom Alert Folks, I will try to explain what the FCC terms means. This is not all comprehensive report by any accounts, tho. Just the most frequently used ones. By the FCC: Public Notice, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM), Rule and Order, Declaratory Ruling, By Public: Petition, Comment, Reply to Comment, and Ex [...]
Media Language Tech Legal Fri, Apr 04 2008

For PSAP Supervisors Only

Ed's Telecom Alert All.. Actually this link (website) is for emergency folks only; however, I thought y'all may find this interesting. Website is about "TTY Performance Assessment and Scoring System". Some kind of test for emergency centers use to test if their TTY access is good or not. PSAP eyes open & thumbs up, Ed B
Tech Thu, Apr 03 2008

Musings on Ten-Digit Nbrs for Internet Relay

Ed's Telecom Alert Folks, After talking with several relay veterans, I thought I'll share our intriguing discussion regarding ten-digit ph nbr that the FCC will require come Dec 2008. Also couple of comments to the recent vlogs will be included as well. Obviously, we hope that the vendor workshop that the FCC mentioned in its Rule and Order would help re...
Tech Legal Wed, Apr 02 2008

NECA Report for Jan 2008

Ed's Telecom Alert All.. Click to the report on cost of relay services. This is for the month of January. Cost of VRS for just one month approx 46.5 million dollars! Assuming continued growth, one year would be well over $600 million. The whole TRS cost (not including intrastate and local relay calls) will be approaching nearly 1 BILLION [...
Tech Wed, Apr 02 2008

Deaf TTY User’s Word Not Good?

Ed's Telecom Alert All. The issue is "are relay calls same as voice"? The answer, of course, is a resounding YES - from our viewpoint (deaf and hard of hearing or any relay users). However, The United States District Court said no. Relay conversations are considered "hearsay" thus not admissable in court. YIKE!&...
Legal Tech Wed, Apr 02 2008

Rule and Order, and Public Notice by FCC on Emergency and...

Ed's Telecom Alert Hey Folks, This is what we've been waiting for. Strongly suggest you read these links. Good and valuable information there! Very critical you send comments to this Rule and Order as well as the Public Notice. FCC Rule and Order Emergency and Numbering This one is about the FCC adopting emergency call handling requirements for Internet-ba...
Media Language Tech Legal Fri, Mar 28 2008

Hawk Relay Petitioning FCC on ASA

Ed's Telecom Alert All.. Hawk Relay is petitioning the FCC for reconsideration of Speed Answer (SA) for Video Relay Service. Check this link and read its rationale why SA needs to be further reduced Hawk Relay Petition Basically Hawk Relay is saying that it is time for the FCC to reduce the required time for SA for VRS. Hawk Relay felt that [...]
Media Language Tech Legal Thu, Mar 27 2008

Ex Parte by Verizon on Numbering

Ed's Telecom Alert All.. Verizon had a meeting with the FCC staff and expressed their thoughts that: "..ensuring that any VRS numbering solution is cost effective and efficient. Verizon believes any VRS numbering solution should be developed from the end user's perspective, should be based on industry standards (not proprietary systems), should not advantage or disadvantage an...
Tech Thu, Mar 27 2008

Texas 7-1-1 Adds STS Option

Ed's Telecom Alert All.. Texas Public Utility Commission along with Sprint Relay is proud to announce a still another FIRST in Relay Texas. Before I tell you what it is, here is the rationale. I've received feedback from persons with speech disabilities that it often is difficult to make a 7-1-1 call. The issue is that sometimes relay agen...
Tech Wed, Mar 26 2008

GoAmerican Writes A Letter to SorensonVRS

Ed's Telecom Alert All CEO of GoAmerica, Dan Luis, wrote a letter to CEO of SorensonVRS, Pat Nola, to urge Sorenson's assistance to collaborate in toto with all other VRS providers to push for one technology solution for Uniform Numbering and 911 Emergency Service as soon as possible. Remember that GA bought Verizon IP and Relay Service as well [...]
Media Language Tech Tue, Mar 18 2008

2007 TRS Cost Recovery Declaratory Ruling

Ed's Telecom Alert All.. The first link focuses on two main issues: Cost Recovery of various relay services and declaratory ruling on VRS providers offering incentives to VRS users. The second link is a petition challenging the FCC by Sorenson on section 95 and 96 on its "broad restriction" and requested stay of these sections pending judical review in the ...
Tech Legal Mon, Mar 17 2008

Numbering System

Ed's Telecom Alert All.. In the world of Internet Relay and VRS, there is a ferocious lobbying by several companies that offered proposals how numbering system should be done for VRS and Internet Relay Service. I've listed three. Neustar Proposal HOVRS/ATT Proposal CSDVRS Proposal What is the central purpose of this? To have rela...
Culture Tech Tue, Feb 19 2008

SorensonVRS Trains Interpreters

Ed's Telecom Alert All.. I am sure many of you already got Sorenson's newsletter - Messenger. Article on Training by SVRS I particularly want to call your attention to the Sorenson's focus on Interpreting Issues. EXACTLY - that is what ALL VRS providers should be doing. Focus on interpreters and quality of Video Interpreters with various works...
Culture Tech Tue, Feb 19 2008

Viable and its new Video Phone: vPAD

Ed's Telecom Alert All.. I've been asked by a few folks about vPAD from Viable and whether the vPAD actually belongs to Viable or not. I got the answer from Viable - see the following text. "Viable designed and joint developed vPad with its South Korean manufacturing partner, SBNTech. Viable holds the intellectual property rights to the design of the [...]
Language Tech Fri, Feb 15 2008

Go America, Inc Blocked Successfully Scammed Relay Calls

Ed's Telecom Alert All.. Thanks to a California friend for this article. Modesto Bee Article I continue to get emails and phone calls from various companies and persons that they are being swindled by nefarious persons who are hearing and calling through Internet Relay Service. So when Internet Relay providers claim that they have fraudulent relay calls under co...
Media Language Tech Legal Fri, Feb 15 2008

OJO and WorldGate

Ed's Telecom Alert All.. I think you will find this extremely interesting... First check out Worldgate Communications Inc statement WG Statement Then read SNAPVRS counter statement SNAPVRS Statement From these links we learn that Worldgate's reference to "largest customer" seems to be SNAPVRS. We also learn why OJO network has been inaccessible; Worldgate &...
Media Language Tech Tue, Feb 12 2008

Sorenson Objects to FCC’s Rule About Contacting VRS Users

Ed's Telecom Alert All.. Since I have to leave soon for two-day out of office to work with RG in coordinating a Town Hall Meeting at Brownsville, I don't have time to do the Vlog, so bear with this text only. Sorenson is objecting to the FCC rule that VRS providers cannot contact VRS users on issues. Read this and be enlightened. [...]
Legal Tech Tue, Jan 29 2008

Pepsi Responds to Email

Ed's Telecom Alert All.. I wrote an email to Pepsi with the following comment, and Pepsi responded with the comment following my thanks. Notice in Pepsi's response on --- " No name, so it was obviously a form email, but I appreciate them responding though. eyes open & thumbs up, Ed B ++++++++++++ "Just quick word of thanks for the ...
Media Tue, Jan 29 2008

Super Bowl Ad - about Deafness

Ed's Telecom Alert All.. That is a real cool TV Advertising that will be shown in pre-game Superbowl. Click the links and enjoy. MSNBC News on Super Bowl Ad YouTube Super Bowl AD Video Pepsi Website on Superbowl AD NAD Website and Its Comments Ahem - another first from Texas. Dallas News on Origin of the TV AD I'm not a youngster, and I remember [......
Media Language Art and Storytelling Culture Fri, Jan 25 2008

James LeVoy Sorenson Dies

Ed's Telecom Alert All.. I have met him a few times and in those few times I was vastly impressed with him. He has left a legacy that greatly helped many people improve their lives including deaf and hard-of-hearing. My deepest condolences to his family and relatives. I have and will say a few prayers for him and [...]
Media Language Tech Tue, Jan 22 2008

FCC Notice on Renewal State Certification

Ed's Telecom Alert All.. Happy Belated New Year! Family and I had a long and great holidays. When I finally got back to work, geez email and work load is maing me pay for time off. ;-] Kidding aside, it was really not too bad. The FCC is asking for comments on State's application for State Telecommunications Relay Service. [....
Language Tech Legal Thu, Jan 10 2008

Ben Soukup Announces

Ed's Telecom Alert All.. Ben Soukup who is Chair of Board of Trustees at Gallaudet University (he is CEO of CSD as well) recently made this announcement - see below. eyes open & thumbs up, Ed Board of Trustees COLLEGE HALL800 FLORIDA AVE. NEWASHINGTON, DC 20002-3695 December 21, 2007 Dear Campus Community: Although I recognize that finals ar...
Higher Education Sat, Dec 22 2007

HOVRS Comments on Waivers

Ed's Telecom Alert All.. Basically HOVRS is asking to be waived from the regulations as listed in Title IV of the ADA. HOVRS Comments The following lists are the ones that HOVRS is asking to be waived for VRS. Emergency Call Handling Operator Assisted Calls 900 Pay Per Calls Carrier of Choice VCO to TTY Calls VCO to VCO Calls HCO to TTY Calls HCO [...]
Language Tech Legal Wed, Dec 19 2007

Poll - Please Vote

Ed's Telecom Alert Gentle People, To your right is a poll. After you vote, you will get back results. So far only 92 voted - aw - come on and vote and let us know ur thots... Pretty please with cherry on top of chocolate sundae? ;-] eyes sad and thumbs wanting to go up, Ed B.
Language Tech Wed, Dec 19 2007

Onstar and TTY Benefits

Ed's Telecom Alert All.. Looks like a real cool product with helpful benefits. Has anyone tried it? If so, please comment and share your experience with us. ONSTAR and TTY eyes open & thumbs up, Ed RT Admin
Language Tech Thu, Dec 13 2007

Ed's Telecom Alert All.. There has been quite a few discussions on TTY having access to VoIP services. Also what does the FCC have to say about VoIP? I have listed the following links so u can explore and know all the details and become an expert on VoIP issues yourself. This link is "frequently asked questions" which the [....
Tech Wed, Dec 12 2007

FCC Public Notice on Deaf Blind Relay Service

Ed's Telecom Alert All.. The FCC has released a public notice seeking comments on Hawk Relay's petition to have Deaf Blind Relay Service be subsidized by Interstate TRS Fund. Deaf Blind Relay Service is where a "DBRS would use an interpreter (a Communications Facilitator" (CF)) to sit with the deaf/blind user, place or receive conventional voice-to-voice telephone c...
Language Tech Legal Wed, Dec 12 2007

Insight Into New Zealand

Ed's Telecom Alert All.. Click to this link, scroll down, and read and u will get an insight into how New Zealand handle TRS issues. It is interesting to note that VRS is in the plan, and implies that VRS is not free and that VRS users may have to pay portion of the VRS. We're blessed to be in [...]
Tech Culture Wed, Nov 28 2007

Energy and Commerce Committee Letter to the FCC

Ed's Telecom Alert All.. This is a GREAT News. A group of influental congressmen are setting a fire under the FCC to act on the pending two dockets. Click and rejoice. Energy and Commerce The two dockets are: one the ability of VRS providers to offer enhanced 911 services to the deaf and hoh. The second one is about numbering issues [...]
Language Tech Legal Tue, Nov 27 2007

Hearing Aid Memo/Order by FCC

Ed's Telecom Alert All.. Seems the FCC granted nunc pro tunc petitions dating back to previous date to a group of hearing aid companies. Nunc Pro Tunc means although the deadline was already past, and due to unforseeable circumstances, the FCC would allow retroactive to the past date the petition request for waiver. This is to "bypass" the penalty tha...
Tech Tue, Nov 27 2007

hmm - voice prompts - blessing or curse

Ed's Telecom Alert All.. Thanks to a listserve that shared this article; I figured y'all will find this article revealing. Click to this very intriguing article. It impacts deaf as well. I've used VRS to call a company just to find out where I can mail a product to for repairs only to get a never-ending voice prompts to [...]
Tech Mon, Nov 26 2007


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