Someone just emailed me a PDF that contains SorensonVRS’ recent filing that was sent to FCC just today. In it, SorensonVRS asks for more time beyond the implementation date of December 31, 2008.
Before I started this campaign, I hadn’t the idea that SorensonVRS may have been stalling (with other companies as well), now this is yet another supporting evidence of what they’re trying to do.
In the PDF, Sorenson writes,”…it is also important for the commission to recognize that an implementation schedule that extends beyond December 31 2008 may be needed to enable the numbering system that best serves the public interest by being the most secure, user-friendly, reliable, confidential and cost effective.“
The technology exists to give us a number system that will allow us to call each other regardless of provider or device so there is no reason to wait.
Sign the Petition! Your e-mail address is for validation purposes ONLY and will not be sold to or shared with anyone. Scout's honor!
Tayler,
I am unable to open the link.
I’m getting mixed messages from your vlog…first you say that Sorenson is stalling then you say in parenthis “with other companies as well”. Why are you naming Sorenson and not other companies. I’d like to know and I think you ought to spell them out. Otherwise, I smell a rat and you’re not being impartial!
Say NO!!!!! to Sorenson’s request!!!!
@factsplease
Based on the information I have, CSDVRS was late in filing their proposal. Every company wasn’t moving until HOVRS submitted theirs in December 2007 along with AT&T. Does that clear things up for you? I plan on making more vlogs disclosing additional information but couldn’t wait to release this filing which was just sent to FCC today.
I tested the download links before publishing. I just updated them again and hopefully they work now for you. Let me know if it doesn’t.
Download PDF
Eric, have you signed the petition?
yes, the link worked. Am reading it now…and would appreciate complete information involving others, as well, in your future vlogs/blogs.
@factsplease
An additional thought. Have any of the other VRS companies requested for additional time to implement the internet numbering system? It wouldn’t help their case if Sorenson was the only one.
Well, it’s 50-50.
Security Network and Firewall protection are the primary reasons. FCC will have to hold the providers accountable.
So, the two documents (Sheri provided yesterday and this document) are the extensional.
Tayler,
Since you started this….why don’t you ask this “someone” who got his/her hands on Sorenson’s filing to FCC to dig a bit further on other VRS providers and see what they’ve filed as well and post those links for us all to read.
@White Ghost
There is a company, Neustar, that is ready to provide this technology in a confidential and secure manner.
@factsplease
I am working on it. My request of confirmation may take longer to fulfill since the weekend has started. Thanks.
there is a solution, I do have an idea, but I m not sure how to implent it - but basically its if everyone else wants it - do it - leave sorenson in the dust.
@Clyde Egbert
The problem is that most VP users have Sorenson VP devices. Maybe if all the other VRS companies (other than Sorenson) agreed on a system, Sorenson would be pressured. FCC told the providers 2 years ago they had one more extension til end of 2007. All providers waited til the last minute. We’re still waiting, and Sorenson wants us to wait more.
No more delays.
All filings to the FCC are public record. Anyone can find them — it’s not like it takes any big effort or special knowledge.
What I am not getting is WHY. Why is Sorenson and other companies stalling? Is it a money factor, or a desire to keep market share for themselves?
And: what are all the alternatives? Would a number system be based on a local area code, or be a cell phone number? Would out of area charges or international or roaming charges apply?
I’m really hungry for more complete information.
@factsplease, so you like to be spoon-fed? hahaha
Tayler,
Did you read the fine print?
Sorenson does raise several points concerning secure and confidentiality of the 10-digit plan. Do you really want to get slammed by some people poising themselves as VRS company? without any identity?
Do you really want an UNsecured system?
If tayler wants to shine the spotlight at Sorenson, hes more than welcome to do it. He’s got my full blessing to rattle up that beehive.
@W. David Samuelsen
Please read this comment. A secure system exists. VOIP providers are already doing this. This is why I’m wondering why Sorenson has asked for more time.
Everyone, I wanted to wait until I had her permission before saying who sent me the PDF. Sheri Farinha Mutti, Chair of National E911 Stakeholder Council with TDI. I want to thank her for her help.
She’s written the 10 Covenants of Consumers Requirements for the FCC.
I am profound DEAF and think your VP should be taken away if you are not satisified with Sorenson Communications and use TTY. In the past People never complain about different TTY companies until more people now have VP and sstarts to complain. Why attack Sorenson who provides FREE long distance calls, FREE VP, FREE repair or upgrade and many more?. Plus they hire DEAF and hearing employees who need to make living. Different competition relay servicers such as HOVRS, CSD, Sprint do receive monies from FCC and I am sure they need more time to find way how meet deaf needings, hiring, paper works, etc. I think D/deaf communities should appreciate for what Sorenson have done to all deaf communities in U.S. and other countries. We should give our congratulations to Sorenson for their hard work to make sure our needs are met.
Second! Sorenson is hurting the Deaf Community! They created too many cover-ups and lies. It’s really time for them to wake up and respect the Deaf community. The only thing Sorenson is caring about the MONEY! From Sorenson administration level’s perspectives think that Deaf people could be easily vulnerable, disadvantaged group of people. They are just one of many examples of being AUDISM. They are completely wrong about it.
@debby
I used to think like you do. Then I remembered that Sorenson and all VRS companies are being funded by FCC. It is thanks to taxpayers and our government that has made VRS services and devices free to the deaf community. WIthout FCC, VRS companies would charge us to use VRS and require us to purchase devices.
To find and read the recent documents filed by:
GoAmerica/HOVRS (2 listings — Reply Comments and Report)
AT&T (2 listings — Reply and Notice of ExParte)
Sorenson
TDI/NAD, et al
CSDVRS/CSD
AGBell
AAPD
1. Go to http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/prod/ecfs/comsrch_v2.cgi.
2. In the box labeled “1. Proceeding” – type 03-123.
3. In the box labeled “7. Date Received/Adopted: (mm/dd/yyyy)” – type in the column labeled “From” 04/17/2008 and type in the column labeled “To” 04/18/2008.
4. Click on the button marked “Retrieve Document List.”
Rosaline
After reading the Sorenson’s filing with the FCC. The Sorenson,Inc, surely was very good at manipulating and deceived the FCC with its filing and found numerous excuses for not able to comply with the NAPI.
If not for the FCC’s Interstate Relay monetary distributions, the Sorenson, Inc, would not be likely to provide free services, etc.
Very common of many companies and government agencies sending out the formal filings to the commission and ask for an extension on particular plan/project.
Same thing happened with the HDTV airwaves. The HDTV was developed first in the United States back in early 70s. Guess what? Other countries already were ahead 20 years of us on the HDTV system. The U.S. Congress finally FORCED the broadcasters to air their programmings in HDTV next February 2009 few years ago.
Ever with the “speed train”. Our country developed the successful speed train incentives in mid-60s, but never enacted them in real life for our transportation use. Other countries like Japan and France used our speed train development for past 40 years. We still don’t have our speed trains except Amtrak’s “Acera train from Washington, DC to NYC. The Acera train still do not effectively cut the commute time from DC to NYC less than 2 hours. If we have the real speed time. The people from DC would arrive in NYC less than one hour or 1/2 hour.
The state of Texas is in very desperate needs of fast transportation mode to cut the travel time and in the best environmental interests. Where are our speed trains all across the country? We rely too much on pollution-producers like airlines to transport people from place to place for faster transportation.
We sometimes have to push our American companies around to get what we really want. We successfully forced the breakups of the monopolistic Ma Bell thru the anti-trust legal actions. It resulted in much accelerating way to transform our communicaton sytem like wireless uses, etc. If not for the forced breakups of Ma Bell. We would still use the land-line phones as the Ma Bell and AT&T company keep charging us for the monthly rental of residence phone. We ever couldn’t buy our own phones!
I am doing this to punish the Sorenson, Inc for not providing the VP to my deaf mother (deceased for past three years). I still never get the VP!
Robert L. Mason (RLM)
hmm, very interesting!
Sorenson’s always the one that’s being attacked, why? Because they are practically the only VP provider who provides all kinds of services and other VRS provides service USING Sorenson’s products!! Why don’t you attack Viable for not being compatible with other VRS providers? We cannot call other VRS providers of our choice except ViableVRS and SnapVRS with VPad. They have real sucky product and it’s not free. There’s no one attacking them why? because they are nobody?
Think about what Sorenson have done for the deaf community. You need to study the history and what Sorenson have really done before you go around attacking Sorenson just because they are the only VRS provider that actually provides decent VP200. Why don’t you give Sorenson back their VP200 if you are really complaining about their service? Read their FCC request carefully. I feel their request is very reasonable. They cannot rush into this without studying everything carefully to make sure they are doing the right thing and everything is secure. They gotta protect their products and their customers at all costs Don’t you think?
We would not have such NEAT device if Sorenson had not spent millions developing video compressing chip.
Think about all of those things before you open your hands and complain!
I say be patient and give Sorenson a chance to prove themselves!!
1) Sorenson gets much of their funding from the government (FCC). Translation: taxpayers’ money.
2) Sorenson has taken forever and wants more time. Everyone, except Sorenson, is ready to move ahead. See the PDF.
3) Sorenson, through their delays, are putting deaf VRS users’ lives on the line.
Tayler,
I feel you are paid to support other providers and discriminate against Sorenson and their services. Of that I am very sure, I followed all your posts and see the same thing over and over. You’re merely a puppet in the grand scheme of things.
You make a big deal about safety, yet deaf people’s safety was not an issue before VRS. Why? Deaf people have the ability to adjust to circumstances and situations. Deaf people have VRS now, and they are happy. You are merely confusing them to want things they do not understand.
Sorenson is probably asking for more time because:
1) Sorenson is the only VRS provider to offer 911 service with call prioritization and enhancing that service provision is for sure on their to-do list
2) conditions surrounding 911 service provisions change, so Sorenson adjusts to comply with those changes
3) with changes, Sorenson will need time to understand the best way to deliver new enhancements in an effective and secure manner
4) changes require money for the research, putting systems in place and building partnerships with companies
As someone mentioned earlier in this post, there are many E911 providers or services with several to be upgrading soon, yet no one offers a VRS compatible system. Why? Do they understand deaf community? Deaf consumer’s needs? Sorenson is probably out there educating them.
All this bickering makes me sick to stomach. All providers should be given equal chance to build up on innovation and to prove themselves in the market. We should encourage dialogue, understand service provisions and support this phenomenal VRS growth (notice I didn’t say Sorenson here). After all, we are the only country to provide comprehensive communication services.
Should FCC decide to pull the plug on this VRS play because they’re disgusted at our “civil war” what would you do then? Would you curl into a fetal position and suck your thumb crying how life is already over? Would you be able to live in a world without VRS? I say you won’t because you don’t get it, otherwise you wouldn’t direct these inflaming comments to a particular provider. And if you were in the VRS business yourself, you’d see it requires capital money to operate the resources (call centers, interpreters, overhead expenses, R&D, etc…) If you’re smart, you’ll adjust to a changing world and shut up. After all, the only constant is change itself.
In retrospect, I am happy there are VRS services and companies, and I will utilize it to the best of my capabilities for a comfortable existence.
@Ignoramus
I feel you are paid to support Sorenson. I expected to be suspected of being paid by the VRS industry. This all began with this post, “Isn’t anyone frustrated with Sorenson?” I received information that revealed truths about what has been going on throughout the years of inaction and delays.
I’ve been working with Sheri F. Mutti (TDI consumer advocate for e911) and Richard Ray (NENA representative). Both are neutral of any VRS company and work for the consumers’ safety.
I am taking it upon myself to educate, not confuse, them. VRS users are likely to think that their 911 calls are tracked just like on landlines, which isn’t true. I refuse to allow this misconception to continue, because it may mean lost lives.
You cannot make the 911 call centers compatible with the VRS system because the current system is based on IP addresses. You cannot use e911 with IP addresses, because you cannot accurately pinpoint an IP address’s location. It’s the VRS industry that needs to be upgraded.
Deaf callers’ safety is always an issue - it didn’t appear overnight.
The technology is within our reach, and the industry hasn’t been moving quickly enough. And read carefully, Sorenson was the only provider to ask for more time. Ask yourself: how long have we been waiting?
It’s not that we do not appreciate VRS, and we know we can use other means for emergency. The point is, America prides itself in treating everyone equally, and I do not see how deaf consumers are being treated equal in not being able to utilitize e911, especially when it is so close in our reach.
I am glad to hear that Sorenson is educating aboutt e911 -
can you please provide specific examples?
Lastly, if many civil rights movements were told to shut up…where would we be today?
who made the first vp100? My understand was that it was first come from outsider, not from sorenson.. Sham on Sorenson for steal the idea….