[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 158 (Wednesday, August 15, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 42858]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-20487]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[CC Docket No. 98-67; DA 01-1706]


Common Carrier Bureau Seeks Comment on Requests for Waiver of 
Video Relay Service Requirements

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: On July 16, 2001 the Commission released a document seeking 
comment on waiver requests filed by Hamilton Telephone Company 
(Hamilton) and Sprint Communications (Sprint). Both Hamilton and Sprint 
requested temporary waiver of certain mandatory minimum requirements 
for providing Video Relay Services (VRS).

DATES: Comments due September 14, 2001. Reply comments due October 1, 
2001.

ADDRESSES: Federal Communications Commission, The Portals II, 445 12th 
Street, SW., Suite 6A207, Washington, DC 20554.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Pam Slipakoff of the Common Carrier 
Bureau, Network Services Division: by phone at (202) 418-7705; by fax 
at (202) 418-2345; by TTY at (202) 418-0484 or; by email at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In the March 6, 2000 Improved TRS Order, 65 
FR 38432 (June 21, 2000), the Federal Communications Commission 
(Commission) amended the TRS rules to expand the kinds of relay 
services available to consumers and to improve the quality of TRS. The 
order changed many of the definitions and standards for traditional TRS 
and added speech-to-speech (STS) and Spanish relay requirements. It 
also permitted recovery of the costs of both intrastate and interstate 
VRS through the interstate TRS fund but did not require the provision 
of VRS. In addition, the Improved TRS Order required that all relay 
service, whether mandatory or voluntary, funded by intrastate and 
interstate TRS funds must comply with the minimum service quality 
standards; it also modified the rules to accommodate STS and VRS 
services.
    Hamilton's filing includes a request for clarification of the scope 
of the VRS rules and for a two year waiver of certain provisions 
contained in the Improved TRS Order. Specifically, Hamilton seeks 
clarification that VRS need not include STS or Spanish relay service 
under our current rules. This request will be addressed in a separate 
Commission level proceeding.
    Hamilton's request for a temporary waiver seeks exemption of 
portions of section 64.604 of the Commission's rules as they apply to 
VRS providers. Specifically, Hamilton seeks temporary waiver of the 
following requirements: (1) The types of calls that must be handled; 
(2) emergency call handling; (3) speed of answer; (4) equal access to 
interexchange carriers; and (5) pay-per-call services. On June 4, 2001, 
Sprint filed a similar request for waiver. Sprint seeks a temporary two 
year waiver of the same sections identified in Hamilton's waiver 
request, except for section 64.604(a)(3) which pertains to the types of 
calls that must be handled. Sprint also seeks waiver of any Commission 
rules that ``may require providers of VRS to ensure that users are able 
to utilize American Sign Language to communicate with Spanish speaking 
individuals.''
    Hamilton and Sprint's waiver requests will be available for review 
and copying during regular business hours at the FCC Reference Center, 
Portals II, 445 12th Street, SW, Room CY-A257, Washington, DC 20554, 
(202) 418-0270. They may also be viewed at https://haifoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/ecfs/comsrch_v2.hts, by typing 98-67 in the proceeding 
box and 4/06/2001 and 6/04/2001, respectively in the date box. Copies 
of these documents may also be purchased from the Commission's copy 
contractor, International Transcription Service, Inc. (ITS), 1231 20th 
Street, NW., Washington, DC 20036, telephone 202-857-3800, facsimile 
202-857-3805, TTY 202-293-8810.

Federal Communications Commission.
Dorothy Attwood,
Chief, Common Carrier Bureau.
[FR Doc. 01-20487 Filed 8-14-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P