I’ve noticed an increase in blogs and vlogs on both DeafRead and DeafVIDEO.TV addressing and covering issues related to the telephone numbers VRS companies provide to us, the consumers. I’ve been following them closely, including NAD and Ed’s Alert and three other sites, with interest because of these two reasons:
- My web development business requires a lot of communication, and in the past year, I’ve come to rely more and more on videophones for convenient and speedy communication. While this is appreciated, it is frustrating when a client has a videophone device from a different company. In those cases, we need to exchange IP addresses in order to connect. As you know, IP addresses are changed as often as once a month which is frustrating because I need to update my videophone’s address book.
- A few years ago, FCC passed a law requiring all carriers to allow consumers switching to other carriers to keep their phone numbers. Suppose I wanted to switch from T-Mobile to Verizon for my cellphone services, the new law requires that T-Mobile releases the phone number to Verizon. Because of this portability, I do not need to notify family and friends of new phone numbers. It stays with you. This privilege is for hearing people only–it hasn’t been enforced for videophones.
Why this hasn’t been enforced or implemented is beyond me. There are more videophones now, and there will be more. This will only add to our frustrations. Is there anyone who shares these frustrations? I’m also interested in digging up more information, so send any my way!
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Posted on April 15th, 2008 by tayler
April 15th, 2008 10:23 am
i find it interesting you mentioned sorenson in your title and nowhere in the post. staying on the safe side?
with the monopoly sorenson has, the telephone number movement needs to start with them, IMO
April 15th, 2008 10:41 am
I agree with you. I am really am tired of all the problems we have with techonology and frankly I just turned it off. I am fed up.
April 15th, 2008 10:58 am
Agreed- hopefully more of us will join the grassroots effort to come up with an uniform telephone numbering system. One of the websites you mentioned offers a step-by step process to make comments to the FCC on this very topic. FCC is seriously taking a close look on these issues and needs to hear from more of you.
Go to http://www.vrstnnow.com/ for a step by step guide on how to file your comments.
A solution is DOABLE- there is already a standard system and a database available for hearing people to be able to move from telephone company to another using the same phone number.
April 15th, 2008 11:12 am
Good one, Tayler. Between your presentation and Bob Daniels’ here, we should be able to flood the agency (FCC) with our very legitimate concerns. Before this day is over, I will do my part.
April 15th, 2008 11:18 am
i emailed you tayler
April 15th, 2008 11:31 am
Why am I surprised this is happening? Glad people like you are speaking out. I agree it is important to contact FCC - make your voice heard.
April 15th, 2008 11:47 am
I am with you 100 % about keeping the same IP address from the original VRS company to another VRS company to lessen the complicated process of obtaining the new IP address.
Your proposal is very logical and reasonable!
Sadly, I never have my VP at all. The Sorenson company and other VRS companies seems not give me the VP device. I really don’t know WHY! I am considering to file the formal complaint with the FCC and another government agency to investigative why I never get the VP device at all.
Robert L. Mason
April 15th, 2008 11:50 am
Hi RLM, I’m sorry you haven’t received a videophone! That’s odd.
Did you mean telephone numbers, not IP addresses? IP addresses are unique to the network that your videophone is on. It’s telephone numbers that will allow us to retain an unique identification.
Everyone, I knew I wasn’t alone!!
April 15th, 2008 12:11 pm
Yeah, FCC requires this to be implemented by December 2008. That’s why you are looking all information popping up everywhere.
I hated telling people my 800 numbers because I have gotten many negative reactions from hearing people — “HOME??” something like that..
I am truly looking forward to seeing this one day when it happens!! It has been long overdue.
April 15th, 2008 12:32 pm
Hi,
Thanks for bringing up this important issue and yes, we all must contact FCC and voice our complaints and encourage them to look into this issue to be resolved soon. However, I am curious as to why you mentioned Sorenson when it is not them that is holding back….is it?? Please clarify why.
April 15th, 2008 12:36 pm
Ahh good vlog Tayler,
When I moved to another state few years ago I kept the same number that I created for Sorenson VP device. I just changed my area code and it works fine. I realize we all can create our own numbers as long as no one “owns” the number.
There’s another thing, you could create your own IP address using letters such as “Call.ME.TV” Something like that. A Friend of mine gave me his IP address which says CALL [his name]. TV How do you do that and do you think this applies to IP address?
April 15th, 2008 12:48 pm
If you use DDNS, you can set a hostname/domain on the internet that will be automatically updated with your home IP address whenever it changes.
I signed for a dyndns.org account and use dns-o-matic to do the updates of my home IP address once a day. I just give out my DDNS host/domain once instead of having to give people my ever-changing IP address.
April 15th, 2008 12:51 pm
*Boston, That is what is called DDNS, when you use a host/domain on the internet and automatically update it with your home IP address. check out http://www.dyndns.org
April 15th, 2008 12:56 pm
Hey Jared, I forgot about DDNS. But I think that is too complicated for most users. Most clients I videophone with have difficulty finding their IP address. Imagine trying to explain DDNS to those good folk?
April 15th, 2008 1:27 pm
[riffly_video]F588B6FE0B2D11DDBBCFD0A456B4F508[/riffly_video]
April 15th, 2008 1:29 pm
[riffly_video]6B04DDA00B3211DDBBCFD0A456B4F508[/riffly_video]
April 15th, 2008 1:29 pm
Only if all home network hardware, including VideoPhones supported DDNS, it could be as simple as signing up for an account somewhere like dyndns.org and re-entering the same login information on the VideoPhones. The hardware would take care of the daily auto-updating of home IP address.
Problem solved. Easier said than done, I know…
April 15th, 2008 1:29 pm
Jared, see the above video comments. DDNS wouldn’t be practical in mobile VRS devices. You’d need to manually update DDNS, which again isn’t comfortable for most people.
April 15th, 2008 1:36 pm
Jared, that’s a great idea. Is this feature being implemented in Viable’s VPAD?
April 15th, 2008 1:46 pm
I’m bummed that VP installer messed up the phone number input in my VP200 which I can’t change. Its difficult to remember that number.
Wish I could change VP 200 phone number!
April 15th, 2008 1:50 pm
Tayler - I posted a blog last month in regards to the IP issue. That if IP frequently changes or on a monthly basis, to use an ip name based call out. Either joining in the dyndns.com website. Elsewise we wait for the December 2008 that FCC will require this be implemented.
I always use a static ip. Costly, yes but less headaches.
Hope solution will come out soon.
Thanks
April 15th, 2008 3:14 pm
Nice to seeing you to have your beard back!
Anyway, I realized what you said and I looked at NAD’s blog. It hit me hard.
Via FCC:
1. Privacy of Call Data
2. Network Security
3. Number Portability
I must admit that there is something that I do not understand about the network and computer stuff. However, it is about the Cyberbullies and Identity Thefts.
Can you please explain what the FCC is working closely with the NAD.
April 15th, 2008 10:16 pm
Tayler,
Yeah, next year will be much better! We’ve been talking about it for few years even in 2005 according to one of my old blog. VRS market have been wild in past few years but seems its finally enter into little more mature market right now.
You know, I am still little worried about 10 digits numbers — I really think it should be use same for both VRS or text relay call, not just VRS only. Maybe we should say relay call rather than VRS. Also, it would be awesome if we can use our own cell phone number as part of Relay calls. Hmmmm….
http://grantlairdjr.com/wp/2006/07/30/our-own-telephone-numbers/
http://grantlairdjr.com/wp/2005/08/02/consumer_industry_forum_on_video_relay_s_2/
http://grantlairdjr.com/wp/2005/07/29/consumer_industry_forum_on_video_relay_s/
http://grantlairdjr.com/wp/2005/04/19/sorenson_s_comments_on_interoperability/
gwlj
April 16th, 2008 3:40 am
It makes me angry. Want normal phone number. No more IP address! No more fake number that Sorenson uses. I was told that Sorenson could easily set up system where all VP users get normal phone numbers. That way all, deaf and hearing, can call each other just use phone number.
But Sorenson refuses. They just sit on their rear end and wait until FCC do something. If they cared about deaf community, they would have done this a few years ago!
April 16th, 2008 4:09 am
Hi Tayler –
You seem to me is that you cannot answer my question. I could not through the FCC website via the NAD.
I know we want to protect our accessibility in the network.
Whenever you obtain the information on the security issues such as cyberbullies and Identity Thefts, plus the hacker protection, please let me know.
Thanks.
April 16th, 2008 6:08 pm
DDNS only checks once a day? There is a potential 24 hr gap? Suppose IP address changes at this time…DDNS checks automatically once a day and that could be as long as 24 hrs and your people can’t contact you until DDNS is updated. Right?
April 16th, 2008 7:26 pm
@not needed?
I believe it’s updated only once a day. I also believe you can manually update it.