Editorial #42-The First FCC Deadline Has Passed—Now What?

Dr. Z has had an opportunity to go through most of the VRS provider’s comments to the FCC’s public notice on the rates proposed by NECA.

At first glance, it seems interesting. All the VRS providers have proposed a multi-tiered rate structure for the next few years–each of them differ in how they present it. Only Sorenson is proposing a single-tier rate structure. Why are they doing this?– Dr. Z is not sure (and suggests that you read through those and be the judge of those), but Dr. Z will give you links to what he was able to find among the thousands of comments that were filed in response to this public notice (in reverse alphabetic order):

ZVRS (link to filing)
Sorenson (link)
Snap (link)
Purple (link)
PAH! VRS (link)
Convo (link)
ATT (link)

The deadline for filing comments was last Friday, May 14th. This week, people can file reply comments to those comments that were filed. The deadline for the reply comments is this coming Friday, May 21st. After this, the FCC will then review everything and we will not know what the final decision would be for some time, but it should happen before July 1st. This is the link to file reply comments (reply comments link). This is where you file your comments as to whether you agree or disagree with some of the comments filed on or before May 14th.

Let us all work together to help the FCC make its determination so they can create a basis to provide a functionally equivalent service that deaf and hard of hearing consumers are privileged to use.

Dr. Z wants to set the record straight so consumers have full access to facts–not assumptions or emotions.

Dr. Z cares about your communication access.

Disclosure: Dr. Z is a contractor working with CSDVRS on several projects.