[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 100 (Wednesday, May 24, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29961-29962]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-4729]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[CG Docket No. 03-123; FCC 06-67]


Notice of Certification of Snap Telecommunications, Inc. as a 
Provider of Video Relay Service (VRS) Eligible for Compensation From 
the Interstate Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) Fund

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In this document, the Commission grants Snap 
Telecommunications, Inc. (Snap) certification as a VRS provider 
eligible for compensation from the Interstate TRS Fund. The Commission 
concludes that Snap has demonstrated that its provision of VRS will 
meet or exceed all operational, technical, and functional TRS standards 
set forth in the Commission's rules; that it makes available adequate 
procedures and remedies for ensuring compliance with applicable 
Commission rules; and that to the extent Snap's service differs from 
the mandatory minimum standards, the service does not violate the 
rules.

DATES: Effective May 8, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, SW., 
Washington DC 20554.

FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gregory Hlibok, Consumer & Governmental 
Affairs Bureau, Disability Rights Office at (202) 418-0431 (TTY), or e-
mail at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Commission's 
document FCC 06-67, released May 8, 2006, addressing an application for 
certification filed by Snap Telecommunications, Inc. on January 25, 
2006. On May 9, 2006, the Commission released an Erratum to document 
FCC 06-67. See Notice of Certification of Snap Telecommunications, Inc. 
as a Provider of Video Relay Service (VRS) Eligible for Compensation 
from the Interstate Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) Fund, 
Erratum, in CG Docket No. 03-123, the full text of document FCC 06-67, 
the Erratum, and copies of any subsequently filed documents in this 
matter will be available for public inspection and copying during 
regular business hours at the FCC Reference Information Center, Portals 
II, 445 12th Street, SW., Room CY-A257, Washington, DC 20554. Document 
FCC 06-67, the Erratum, and copies of subsequently filed documents in 
this matter may also be purchased from the Commission's duplicating 
contractor at Portals II, 445 12th Street, SW., Room CY-B402, 
Washington, DC 20554. Customers may contact the Commission's 
duplicating contractor at its Web site http://www.bcpiweb.com or by 
calling 1-800-378-3160. To request materials in accessible formats for 
people with disabilities (Braille, large print, electronic files, audio 
format), send an e-mail to [email protected] or call the Consumer & 
Governmental Affairs Bureau at (202) 418-0530 (voice), (202) 418-0432 
(TTY). Document FCC 06-67 and the Erratum can also be downloaded in 
Word or Portable Document Format (PDF) at: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/dro.

Synopsis

    On January 25, 2006, Snap Telecommunications, Inc. (Snap) filed an 
application for certification, (Snap

[[Page 29962]]

Telecommunications, Inc., VRS Certification Application of Snap 
Telecommunications, Inc., CG Docket No. 03-123 (January 25, 2006)) as a 
VRS provider eligible for compensation from the Interstate TRS Fund 
(Fund) pursuant to the recently adopted VRS and Internet Protocol (IP) 
Relay provider certification rules. See Telecommunications Relay 
Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities, Report 
and Order and Order on Reconsideration, CG Docket No. 03-123, FCC 05-
203 (December 12, 2005); published at 70 FR 76208, December 23, 2005 
(2005 VRS Provider Order); 47 CFR 64.605(a)(2) of the Commission's 
rules. Prior to the 2005 VRS Provider Order, an entity desiring to 
offer TRS and receive compensation from the Fund had to meet one of the 
three eligibility standards set forth in 47 CFR 64.604(c)(5)(iii)(F) of 
the Commission's rules. Snap's application is granted, subject to the 
conditions noted below.
    On December 12, 2005, the Commission released an order adopting new 
rules permitting carriers desiring to offer VRS and receive payment 
from the Fund to seek certification as a provider eligible for 
compensation from the Fund. 2005 VRS Provider Order, supra. The rules 
require entities seeking such certification to submit documentation to 
the Commission setting forth, in narrative form:

    (i) a description of the forms of TRS to be provided (i.e., VRS 
and/or IP Relay); (ii) a description of how the provider will meet 
all non-waived mandatory minimum standards applicable to each form 
of TRS offered; (iii) a description of the provider's procedures for 
ensuring compliance with all applicable TRS rules; (iv) a 
description of the provider's complaint procedures; (v) a narrative 
describing any areas in which the provider's service will differ 
from the applicable mandatory minimum standards; (vi) a narrative 
establishing that services that differ from the mandatory minimum 
standards do not violate applicable mandatory minimum standards; 
(vii) demonstration of status as a common carrier; and (viii) a 
statement that the provider will file annual compliance reports 
demonstrating continued compliance with these rules. 47 CFR 
64.605(a)(2) of the Commission's rules.

    The rules further provide that after review of the submitted 
documentation, the Commission shall certify that the VRS provider is 
eligible for compensation from the Fund if the Commission determines 
that the certification documentation:

    (i) establishes that the provision of VRS * * * will meet or 
exceed all non-waived operational, technical, and functional minimum 
standards contained in Sec.  64.604 of the Commission's rules; (ii) 
establishes that the VRS * * * provider makes available adequate 
procedures and remedies for ensuring compliance with the 
requirements of this section and the mandatory minimum standards 
contained in Sec.  64.604 of the Commission's rules, including that 
it makes available for TRS users informational materials on 
complaint procedures sufficient for users to know the proper 
procedures for filing complaints; and (iii) where the TRS service 
differs from the mandatory minimum standards contained in Sec.  
64.604 of the Commission's rules, the VRS * * * provider establishes 
that its service does not violate applicable mandatory minimum 
standards. 47 CFR 64.605(b)(2) of the Commission's rules.

    The Commission has reviewed Snap's application pursuant to these 
rules. The Commission concludes that Snap has demonstrated that its 
provision of VRS service will meet or exceed all operational, 
technical, and functional TRS standards set forth in 47 CFR 64.604 of 
the Commission's rules; that it makes available adequate procedures and 
remedies for ensuring compliance with applicable Commission rules; and 
that to the extent Snap's service differs from the mandatory minimum 
standards, the service does not violate the rules. See, e.g., Snap 
Application at 14 (noting that Snap will offer picture caller ID).
    The Commission also notes, however, that Snap indicates that it 
plans to offer service only via a particular Internet protocol that, 
without translation, is not interoperable with videophone devices 
employed by other VRS providers. See generally Snap Application at 6 
(noting the H.323 and SIP Internet standards); Snap ex parte letter, CG 
Docket No. 03-123 (filed March 31, 2006); Snap ex parte letter, CG 
Docket No. 03-123 (filed March 22, 2006). The Commission notes that it 
has adopted a declaratory ruling requiring the interoperability of VRS 
equipment and services. See Telecommunications Relay Services for 
Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities, CG Docket No. 03-123, 
Declaratory Ruling and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, FCC 06-57 
(adopted May 3, 2006) (addressing California Coalition of Agencies 
Serving the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (CCASDHH), Petition for 
Declaratory Ruling on Interoperability, CC Docket No. 98-67, CG Docket 
No. 03-123, DA 05-509 (filed February 15, 2005)). The Commission 
conditions this grant of certification upon compliance with that order. 
See also 47 CFR 64.605(e)(2) of the Commission's rules (Commission may 
require certified providers to submit documentation demonstrating 
compliance with the mandatory minimum standards). Further, Snap must 
file an annual report with the Commission evidencing that they are in 
compliance with Sec.  64.604 of the Commission's rules. See 47 CFR 
64.605(g) of the Commission's rules. The first such report shall be due 
one year after May 8, 2006, and subsequent reports shall be due each 
year thereafter.
    This certification, as conditioned herein, shall remain in effect 
for a period of five years from the release date of May 8, 2006. See 47 
CFR 64.605(c)(2) of the Commission's rules. Within ninety days prior to 
the expiration of this certification, Snap may apply for renewal of its 
VRS service certification by filing documentation in accordance with 
the Commission's rules. See 47 CFR 64.605(c)(2) of the Commission's 
rules.

Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene H. Dortch,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 06-4729 Filed 5-23-06; 8:45 am]
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