The FCC Rule & Order for TN and Emergency Access
25 06 2008All..
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 will automatically identify the VRS or IP user who they are and where they are. Just like landline phone.
Here is the link.
The R&O is over 160 pages long. So I will try to have series of Vlogs to explain what the R&O is all about.
I’ll start with the obvious…and I know many of you are curious which of the proposals won out. NeuStar with its TRU (Telephone Number for Relay User) proposal, Joint Proposal -AT&T, HOVRS, GoAmerica, and Dash – with its ORD (Open Relay Database) proposal, and CSDVRS with its ONS (One Number System) proposal. Which of the proposals won out?
Ferocious lobbying to the FCC Commissioners and Staff were done by many people and companies; there were lobbying efforts to deaf/hoh Mover and Shakers as well. In the end, it is the majority of deaf/hoh who has indicated the wish for least resistance, least number of changes, and most seamless system to accommodate future upgrades be the ideal system. So the FCC listened and chose ORD as the basic building system to build from. Congratulations to the Join Proposal team for coming up with a proposal that ultimately should be a win-win solution.
As you know I’ve flip-flopped between TRU and ORD, but with inclination towards ORD. The R&O from the FCC helped put weigh on ORD and so I’m now solidly behind ORD.
Be on the lookout for subsequent Vlogs that will expand on some of the issues that will impact you all. So far what I’ve read are exciting changes. If you can’t wait, go ahead and read 160 pages and be enlighten and realize that functional equivalence concept is bit truer with the R&O.
eyes open & thumbs up,
Ed B
The ultimate question:
If for example Verizon gave me the phone number of (801) 123-4567 and the relay service system can’t assign me (801) 123-4567 then all of this is no good.
Mark my words—ten digit numbers will be obsolete in the near future replaced by universal-use screen names and other similar very user-friendly provisions.
Does getting a regional TN affect how much deaf users pay for service? An alias only required the user to have high speed internet service whereas a regional number means getting the service from a telephone company on top of the high speed internet service (lookout cablemodem customers).
If I have to pay for a regional number on top of my HSI, then I’d stick with an alias.
Thanks,
Daniel
Wow, it seems you know much more about Mover and Shaker. I almost forgot all about those people. Could you please share with me more about ‘em, Ed?
Another question: what about the directvp number? does it consider as landline number or what?
Snickering..
You may be right. Right now cell phones and pagers have TN and hugely popular. So is text messaging. Perhaps it is one of those where both will prosper and do well.
We’ll see how future and wishes of teeming masses opt for.
eyes open & thumbs up,
Ed B
Daniel,
Since VRS providers will be the ones who will assign TN to VRS and IP users, it is up to them to decide whether to charge for the TN or not. I have a feeling they will not charge for the TN. Remember alias or proxy won’t meet the emergency access so the FCC has basically said no alias or proxy.
eyes open & thumbs up,
Ed B
[...] FCC strikes down Sorenson?s directory! Good News!!!! Prefect. Sorenson, as well as any other video relay providers, cannot give out proxy(fake) numbers as they have for years, beyond 2008. If Sorenson follows the FCC order, this will mean the end of their closed directory! Open the Directory! ? FCC strikes down Sorenson’s directory! Ed’s Telecom Alert ? The FCC Rule & Order for TN and Emergency Access [...]
P. Henry Goldberg,
The R&O said that area code of where VRS or IP user lives must be used, so likely the directvp will not be allowed as it uses 800. I will explore on this more in later vlogs.
As for Mover and Shakers - you know them, too. Executive directors/president/managers of NAD, TDI, AgBell, assorted national organizations/associatons/state agencies and as well as state organizations that have been vocal on the FCC issues as well as many national deaf leaders who take active role in shaping the telecommunications world.
If you have been vocal and written several comments to the FCC, you could be one of the Shakers and Movers as well ;-]
eyes open & thumbs up,
Ed B
Ed–You must be late on getting the news….GoAmerica and At&T won FCC’s attention to be the first companies to award TN. Wanna get back to us on this after you check the facts?
SB,
That Vlog I did explained the type of system adopted which is ORD. ORD method is from Joint Venture of ATT, GoAmerica, HandsOn. We just got that Rule and Order yesterday. No, the FCC has not selected anyone to do the central database service yet. The FCC will release RFP on this very soon. What you are thinking about is “Showcase Demo” by GA and ATT on this. My next blog will show the link to this.
eyes open & thumbs up,
Ed B
How would hearing people call a VRS caller’s 10 digit number if they cant use the personal 800 number?
Dan,
That is beauty of the Rule and Order. Let me give you an example.
I’m deaf. I ask VRS provider to give me TN. Ok, now VRS provider gives me- let’s say 512 321-1234. This is my personal number. I give this 512 321 1234 to BOTH deaf and hearing persons. Hearing person just dial this 512 321 1234 and it will go thru VRS to connect to me. Deaf just dial this 512 321 1234 with his/her video phone, and it will connect directly to me.
Neat, huh? No need for two sets of phone numbers. And no need for 800 numbers.
eyes open & thumbs up,
Ed
Ed,
I have my TN assigned me by my local phone number. I still use it with Sorenson and then the local phone number assigned me another TN associated with the broadband. I can not use it with Sorenson because it works only on broadband and nothing else. I did note the section about getting the TN from the LECs (meaning local phone companies.)
And I have DirectVP number which only my hearing family, friends and doctors use to call me direct.
And I do have 911 already as it is through broadband via Sorenson, already tested and it does go straight to the call center right in my area.
So the issue is? The other companies apart from Sorenson has to get the TN for their users ? I am still reading the R&O and I did come across one section - about restricted access. FCC turned down CSDVRS for open directory, citing security issues.
And FCC also rejected CSDVRS proposal for a single 911 provider, too for a different reason - not all 911 providers utilitize standard format. And much further down in the Notice, there is a section about access by alternative provider’s routing of emergency call. Comments are requested on the proposal so it is not quite 100 percent settled.
And also I find it interesting that FCC is cherrypicking certain requirements from Neustar to be included in ORD proposal.
If I read one section right, all providers except CSDVRS wanted a neutral third party to manage central database center.
Section B-78 is an interesting recommendation.
Section E - IP Relay Fraud, about time FCC acknowledged the seriousness of this nature.
Multiple TNs issue is not settled, comments are requested.
Toll free numbers continue to be used, but comments are requested for whether the users should pay the fee like hearing users do.
TDI is trying for one TN for all devices, something the hearing people aren’t allowed to do so.
3/4 way down - FCC said about the registration of users by their default providers. - Ed, can you clarify if possible?
Because of TNs, FCC said slamming is not permitted, same as applied to hearing sector, but need comments on how it is enforced.
That’s huge R&O! So many different issues, decisions and comments requested.
Ed,
There are only 79 pages, not 160 pages in this R&O. Where are the rest of the pages?
It’ll be nice if my existing house phone number provided by Verizon works as my house Videophone number for both hearing and deaf to easily call me now and then. It’ll be nice if my existing cell phone number provided by Verizon works as my cell videophone number (someday) for both hearing and deaf to easily call me now and then. These are purest of real functional equivalency. Keyword: streamlined number.
David,
I included the comments from the Commissioners as well. ;-] I looked at the content and it said 160 pages so I took it literally.
Ed
David,
You’re right about “huge” R&O. Lot of issues there. ;-]
Remember that all the TNs we now get from VRS providers (Sorenson, CSDVRS, GoAmerica and SnapVRS) are proxy/alias numbers. The promised TN by Dec 2008 will be real TN where all carriers - supposedly - will recognize and be able to process.
Glad u had positive experience with Sorenson’s 911. The fact is that it is not “automatic” like landline which is what the FCC wants. Only a real TN will make it possible.
On Registration - the FCC is requiring all VRS and IP users to register to get the TN. FCC is also asking for comments on verificaiton procedure - and hinted that best to leave it up to the VRS and IP providers to determine that, but did say VRS and IP providers need to be very sure that the TN given to the VRS or IP users are the legit users, not not a scammer. This one is gonna be interesting and a real challenge for VRS and IP providers. A couple VRS providers have told me that it is “impossible” to have a foolproof verification procedure. Being eternally optimist, I think it is possible to get at least 95% and that would greatly minimize scammed relay calls. We’ll see how all this plays out.
Glad to see you reading the R&O, not an entertainment to do that ;-] Kudos to you for doing that, sir.
eyes open & thumbs up,
Ed B
a couple out of 17 providers? (I was told there’s 17 of them, most of them small)
I have real number, so do I have to have another real number?
Sounds Great! GoAmerica and AT&T won bid on ORD (Open Relay Data) by FCC O&R. So I wonder that I will carry my HOVRS MVP out of country. Working to call from oversea to USA to use VRS and Point-to-point callers in NATN?
David,
When u say u have “real number” - I assume u got that from a local telephone company. I do not fully understand all the technical issues regarding central number database that the FCC will select; the way I understood it, yes it does look like u will need to get another TN from VRS providers if u chose to have one for VP and one for voice/TTY (for hearing spouse/kids/whatever).
Ed
David B,
Good question. I don’t know the answer to that. Presumably we’ll find out when companies/people/etc comments to the Rule and Order on Number System and maybe we’ll get an insight and find the answer to ur question.
Ed
[...] Originally Posted by Etoile That was last week though! right, too late. You can contact Ed Bosson, pioneer of VRS. Ed’s Telecom Alert ? The FCC Rule & Order for TN and Emergency Access [...]
Ed,
After reading the blog/vlog here and not having a chance to read the detailed R&O, I am wondering if once I have the “real” 10 digits number from a VRS and that later in time I end up not completely satisfied with the first VRS, is it possible to transfer the number to different VRS, just like cell phone users do transfer their cell phone number from old cell phone provider to the new one?
Just wondering . . .
MG
[...] Originally Posted by Etoile That was last week though! right, too late. You can contact Ed Bosson, pioneer of VRS. Ed’s Telecom Alert ? The FCC Rule & Order for TN and Emergency Access [...]
MG,
That is what R&O calls “Porting”. Ability to transfer same TN (telephone number) to a different provider. The answer is YES. I think there may be exceptions like when you move from California to New York, then may need to change TN.
So now u don’t need to wonder anymore ;-]
eyes open & thumbs up,
Ed B