[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 44 (Wednesday, March 7, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10214-10215]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-4045]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[CG Docket No. 03-123; DA 06-2578]


Notice of Certification of Hands on Video Relay Services, Inc. as 
a Provider of Internet Protocol Relay (IP Relay) and Video Relay 
Service (VRS) Eligible for Compensation From the Telecommunications 
Relay Service (TRS) Fund

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In this document, the Commission grants Hands On Video Relay 
Services, Inc. (Hands On's) application for certification as an IP 
Relay and VRS provider eligible for compensation from the Interstate 
TRS Fund. The Commission concludes that Hands On has adequately 
demonstrated that its provision of IP Relay and 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 Hands On's service differs from the mandatory 
minimum standards, the service does not violate the rules.

DATES: Effective December 22, 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 (800) 311-4381 (Voice), 
(202) 418-0431 (TTY), or e-mail at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Commission's 
document DA 06-2578, released December 22, 2006, addressing an 
application for certification filed by Hands On Video Relay Services, 
Inc. on October 4, 2006. See Hands On Video Relay Services, Inc., 
Application for Certification as an Eligible VRS and IP

[[Page 10215]]

Relay Provider, CG Docket No. 03-123, (Hands On Application). The full 
text of document DA 06-2578 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 DA 06-2578 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 DA 06-2578 can also be downloaded in Word or Portable 
Document Format (PDF) at: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/dro.

Synopsis

    On October 4, 2006, Hands On filed an application for certification 
as an IP Relay and VRS provider eligible for compensation from the 
Interstate TRS Fund (Fund) pursuant to the IP Relay and VRS 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 
Certification Order); 47 CFR 64.605(a)(2) of the Commission's rules. On 
November 21, 2006, Hands On submitted a supplement to its application 
for certification. Hands On, Inc., Supplement to Application for 
Certification as a VRS and IP Relay Provider of Hands On Video Relay 
Services, Inc., CG Docket No. 03-123 (November 21, 2006) (Hands On 
Supplement). Hands On'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 IP Relay and/or VRS and 
receive payment from the Fund to seek certification as a provider 
eligible for compensation from the Fund. 2005 VRS Certification Order. 
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 provider of IP 
Relay and VRS is eligible for compensation from the Fund if the 
Commission determines that the certification documentation:
    (i) Establishes that the provision of IP Relay and 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 IP Relay and 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 IP 
Relay and 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 Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau (Bureau) has reviewed 
the Hands On Application and Hands On Supplement pursuant to these 
rules. The Bureau concludes that Hands On has adequately demonstrated 
that its provision of IP Relay and VRS 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 Hands On's service differs 
from the mandatory minimum standards, the service does not violate the 
rules.
    The Bureau notes that the Commission has adopted a declaratory 
ruling requiring the interoperability of VRS equipment and service. 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 (May 9, 2006), 
published at 71 FR 30818, May 31, 2006 and 71 FR 30848, May 31, 2006. 
The Bureau 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, Hands On 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 December 22, 2006, and 
subsequent reports shall be due each year thereafter.
    This certification shall remain in effect for a period of five 
years from the release date of December 22, 2006. See 47 CFR 
64.605(c)(2) of the Commission's rules. Within ninety days prior to the 
expiration of this certification, Hands On may apply for renewal of its 
IP Relay and VRS 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.
Jay Keithley,
Deputy Chief, Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau.
 [FR Doc. E7-4045 Filed 3-6-07; 8:45 am]
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