[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 101 (Wednesday, May 24, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 33506-33507]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-13033]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR Part 20

[CC Docket No. 94-102; DA 00-1091]


Wireless E911; New Implementation Deadline for TTY Access to 
Digital Wireless Systems for 911 Calls

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: The Commission, in this document, seeks comment on a proposed 
revised deadline for compliance with the Commission's rule requiring 
transmitting of text telephone (TTY) 911 calls on digital wireless 
systems. The Commission also seeks information on other aspects of the 
various TTY/digital wireless systems compatibility solutions, including 
consumer impacts, technical issues, etc. The temporary waivers of the 
rule previously granted by the Commission will remain in place pending 
the Commission's establishment of an implementation schedule based on 
the information received in response to this document. The action is 
needed to establish a strong, inclusive record on TTY issues that the 
Commission may use in making well-informed decisions in this critical 
enhanced 911 (E911) proceeding.

DATES: Submit comments on or before June 19, 2000; submit reply 
comments on or before July 19, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Send comments and reply comments to the Office of the 
Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, Washington, DC 20554.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patrick Forster, 202-418-1310.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Commission's Public 
Notice in CC Docket No. 94-102, DA 00-1091, released May 17, 2000. The 
complete text of the Public Notice is available on the Commission's 
Internet site, at www.fcc.gov. It is also available

[[Page 33507]]

for inspection and copying during normal business hours in the FCC 
Reference Information Center, Courtyard Level, 445 12th Street, SW., 
Washington, DC, and may be purchased from the Commission's copy 
contractor, International Transcription Services, Inc., CY-B400, 445 
12th Street SW., Washington, D.C. Comments may be sent as an electronic 
file via the Internet to http://www.fcc.gov/e-file/ecfs.html, or by e-
mail to [email protected].

Synopsis of the Public Notice

    1. The Commission seeks comment on a proposed revised deadline for 
compliance with the Commission's rule requiring transmitting of text 
telephone (TTY) 911 calls on digital wireless systems, pursuant to 47 
CFR 20.18(c). The Commission also seeks information on other aspects of 
the various TTY/digital wireless systems compatibility solutions, 
including consumer impacts, technical issues, etc. The temporary 
waivers of the rule previously granted by the Commission will remain in 
place pending the Commission's establishment of an implementation 
schedule based on the information received in response to this Public 
Notice.
    2. The First Report and Order in this proceeding (61 FR 40348, 
August 2, 1996) required that, as of October 1, 1997, all covered 
wireless carriers be capable of transmitting 911 calls from individuals 
with speech or hearing disabilities through means other than mobile 
radio handsets, e.g., through the use of TTY devices. To date, however, 
carriers operating digital wireless systems have been unable to comply 
with this requirement because digital systems have been unable to 
accurately pass the Baudot-encoded audio tones produced by TTY devices. 
The Commission suspended enforcement of the TTY requirements until 
December 1998 and issued over 100 temporary waivers of the rule, which 
remain pending, while the industry worked on a solution. Recent 
technological developments now lead the Commission to request further 
comment regarding an implementation deadline for compliance with 
Sec. 20.18(c).
    3. The Commission first seeks comment on its tentative view that 
December 31, 2001, represents a reasonable deadline for implementation 
of a digital wireless TTY solution. The Commission proposes that all 
wireless carriers begin complying with Sec. 20.18(c) on or before this 
date, and invites comment on whether this deadline would permit 
equipment manufacturers and carriers sufficient time to complete the 
tasks associated with implementing a system solution of this kind. 
Commenters are asked to identify the specific tasks they expect to be 
required to implement a TTY solution and to provide estimates of how 
long each task is expected to take.
    4. In addition, the Commission seeks comment on a possible program 
for monitoring the progress of TTY compatibility. Specifically, the 
Commission invites comment on what type of monitoring program might be 
appropriate, whether additional regulation is needed to facilitate 
monitoring progress, and how the Commission might best monitor the 
progress of technological developments and the adoption of standards.
    5. The Commission solicits comment regarding enforcement of 
compliance with Sec. 20.18(c). The Commission seeks comment on the 
relationship of section 255(b) of the Communications Act of 1934 (which 
requires manufacturers to ensure the accessibility of equipment) and 
section 251(a)(2) of the Act (which requires that carriers not install 
network features, functions, or capabilities that do not comply with 
the guidelines and standards established pursuant to section 255) to 
implementation of Sec. 20.18(c). The Commission also seeks comment on 
whether and how the Commission might use its equipment authorization 
process to enforce compliance with Sec. 20.18(c).
    6. The Commission further invites comment on the impact of TTY/
digital wireless compatibility solutions on consumers. The Commission 
emphasizes that carriers are expected to make their digital wireless 
systems compatible with TTY devices without causing potential adverse 
impacts to consumers. Thus, the Commission invites comment on what 
negative impacts to consumers might result from TTY compatibility 
efforts, the extent and nature of costs and/or inconveniences to 
consumers, and, to the extent that any additional costs or 
inconveniences are identified, what steps carriers can take to 
eliminate or mitigate such adverse impacts, especially those that could 
affect safety of life.
    7. The Commission also seeks comment on Ericsson's proposed 
solution for TTY/GSM compatibility, which will apparently involve a 
``smart cable'' that itself operates to convert the Baudot tones to a 
new signal that is suited for transfer over a digital voice path 
without the need for software changes in the handset. The Commission 
requests comment on whether this type of solution for GSM, or any other 
similar cable, will be acceptable to TTY users, and whether this type 
of solution will impose additional costs and/or inconveniences on 
consumers.
    8. Finally, the Commission seeks comment on the impact the 
international use of GSM air interface has on development and 
implementation of a TTY solution.

Procedural Matters

    9. Pursuant to Sec. 1.45 of the Commission's Rules, 47 CFR 1.45, 
interested parties may file comments on the proposed implementation 
deadline no later than June 19, 2000. Replies shall be filed no later 
than July 19, 2000. All comments shall reference the docket number of 
this proceeding. Comments may be filed using the Commission's 
Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS) or by filing paper copies. 
Comments filed through the ECFS can be sent as an electronic file via 
the Internet to http://www.fcc.gov/e-file/ecfs.html. In completing the 
transmittal screen, commenters should include their full name, Postal 
Service mailing address, and the docket number of this proceeding. 
Parties filing electronically should also e-mail a copy of their 
comments to [email protected]. Parties who choose to file by paper must 
file an original and four copies of each filing with the Commission's 
Secretary (Magalie Roman Salas, Office of the Secretary, Federal 
Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20554) 
and a diskette copy to the Commission's copy contractor (International 
Transcription Service, Inc. (ITS), CY-B400, (202) 857-3800).
    10. Pursuant to Sec. 1.1206 of the Commission's Rules, 47 CFR 
1.1206, this proceeding is a permit-but-disclose proceeding in which ex 
parte communications are permitted subject to disclosure.
    11. Copies of this Public Notice in alternative formats (computer 
diskette, large print, audio-cassette, and Braille) are available to 
persons with disabilities by contacting Brian Millin at (202) 418-7426 
voice, (202) 418-7365 TTY, or at [email protected]. The Public Notice 
also will be available at: http://www.fcc.gov/cib/dro/.

Federal Communications Commission.
Magalie Roman Salas,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 00-13033 Filed 5-23-00; 8:45 am]
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