TRS 10-Digit Plan Registration Deadline Extended to November
The FCC extended by more than four months the deadline for people with hearing problems to register 10-digit phone numbers with Internet-based telecom relay service providers. In an order Monday, the FCC said TRS providers may continue to connect calls by unregistered users until Nov. 12. The original deadline, June 30, was criticized by many telecom relay providers (CD May 1 p5), which pointed to unresolved technical problems and low consumer awareness.
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“Extending the Internet-based TRS registration deadline will ensure a more orderly transition to ten-digit numbering for users of Internet-based TRS by allowing for additional time for outreach and educational activities, as well as time to address any unresolved technical issues associated with the transition,” the FCC Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau said in the order. The bureau cited concerns about TRS user uncertainty and recent data from some providers “indicating that a majority of calls presently handled are not being made via a new ten-digit number.”
The bureau didn’t entirely grant the TRS providers petition, which was signed by AT&T, Sprint Nextel, Purple Communications and others. Those providers said the deadline should be extended indefinitely, until specified milestones were met, but said Dec. 31 would be a good goal. “An indefinite delay in implementation would come at the expense of enhanced emergency services for Internet-based TRS users,” the bureau said.
Advocates for people who are deaf applauded the extension. “The Internet-based TRS providers, and Neustar, the database administrator will have four and half months to do a real good job in outreach and education, and database modifications to make the registration process work effectively to all’s benefit,” said Claude Stout, the director of Telecommunications for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
Relay provider Purple appreciates the extra time, said Vice President Kelby Brick. “This will ensure that deaf and hard of hearing relay users are not denied access to the nation’s telephony network while the Commission and the industry work to address technical and education concerns.” Sorenson Communications, which didn’t support the petition, declined to comment.