Author Archives: pbravin

Does having a default provider prevent me from calling another VRS provider?

The answer is NO.

For example, if you have a VP-200 and the default provider for this device is Sorenson, you can still make VRS calls with other providers such as ZVRS. This is all OK. You can simply call ZVRS at 888-888-1116 using your Sorenson VP-200 to make VRS calls. But if you use your VP-200 for a 911 call, it will call Sorenson for this because Sorenson is the default provider for your 911 calls.

If Sorenson or some other provider says you must use them for all VRS calls because they are your default provider– that is not true…and is in violation of the FCC order.

If you have any questions, just send Dr. Z an email using the following link: contact Dr. Z

Week of 7/5/09 (VLOG)

After July 4th, the first person every week who guesses the location of where Dr. Z correctly will receive a $5 Starbucks or Target gift card. We will post the name of the winner every week on this site.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8pClt6Q8Jg
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

Week of 6/21/09 (VLOG)

After July 4th, the first person every week who guesses the location of where Dr. Z correctly will receive a $5 Starbucks or Target gift card. We will post the name of the winner every week on this site.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RCMBgBbZmg

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Answer: Seattle, Washington
No winners were selected for the week of 6/21/09. This was a trial period. Winners will be selected starting the first week of July, 2009.

Am I limited to one default provider?  Can I have more than one default provider? (UPDATED) (VLOG)

This is a common question being asked by many peoiple and Dr. Z is here to try to clear the air on these questions.

Am I limited to one default provider?

The answer is NO.

Can I have more than one default provider?

The answer is YES.

How can this be so? The simple answer to this is that you are required by the FCC to have one default provider per videophone device. If you have two different videophones, then you will have two different default providers for each videophone. You will be required to inform the videophone provider of your contact information for that videophone.

For more information on default providers, click this link.

News-Week of 6/28/2009

  • Julius Genachowski has been confirmed by the Senate and sworn in as the new FCC Chairman. (link)
  • Rep. Markey Introduces 21st Century Communications & Video Accessibility Act of 2009 to make Broadband More Accessible. (link)
  • The Supreme Court on Monday made it easier for parents of special education students to get reimbursement for private school tuition. (link)
  • The White House has nominated 2 new FCC commissioners. (link)

FCC Sets VRS Rates the Same-For Now

The FCC has issued an order adopting the NECA’s recommended rates for VRS for this year, subject to the current rulemaking process which is currently underway.  The FCC could at the conclusion of the process, decide to revise or make the rates stay the same.

The NECA is a third-party, non-profit organization that is contracted by the FCC to collect costs and other data to help the FCC determine reimbursement rates for TRS  (Telecommunications Relay Service) and VRS (Video Relay Service).  Every year, early in the year all TRS and VRS provides submit their costs and projections for the following year to NECA.  NECA then reviews them and makes recommendations to the FCC.  The FCC, before July 1st, sets the rates for the following year.  In the case of VRS, as previously mentioned, they set and froze the rates from 2007-2010, but they just issued a rulemaking process which may change the rates for 2009 or a time frame they could decide.

more…