TelecomTV TelecomTV
  • News
  • Videos
  • Channels
  • Events
  • Network Partners
  • Industry Insights
  • Directory
  • Newsletters
  • Open RAN
  • Digital Platforms and Services
  • 5G
  • Access Evolution
  • Private Networks
  • Cloud Native
  • Edge
  • Open Networking
  • Sustainability
  • AI, Analytics and Automation
  • 6G Research and Innovation
  • Security
  • More Topics
  • Network Partners
  • Industry Insights
  • Directory
  • Newsletters
  • |
  • About
  • Contact
  • |
  • Connect with us
  • 5G
  • 6G Research and Innovation
  • Access Evolution
  • AI, Analytics and Automation
  • Cloud Native
  • Digital Platforms and Services
  • Edge
  • Open Networking
  • Open RAN
  • Private Networks
  • Security
  • Sustainability
  • Connect with TelecomTV
  • About
  • Privacy
  • Help
  • Contact
  • Sign In Register Subscribe
    • Subscribe
    • Sign In
    • Register
  • Search

Industry Announcements

Tracker

FCC adopts real-time text services for Americans with disabilities

Via FCC Headlines

Dec 16, 2016

Full Title

FCC Clears Path For Transition From TTY Technology To Real-Time Text

Description

Commission Moves Toward Modernizing Wireless Phone Text Compatibility


WASHINGTON, December 15, 2016 – The Federal Communications Commission today amended its rules to allow phone companies to replace support for an outdated form of text telephone communications, known as TTY, with support for real-time text, to provide reliable telephone communications for Americans who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind, or who have a speech disability.

As the nation’s communications networks migrate to IP-based environments, real-time text technology will allow Americans with disabilities to use the same wireless communications devices as their friends, relatives and colleagues, and more seamlessly integrate into tomorrow’s communications networks. Under FCC rules, phone companies and manufacturers are required to support accessible text communications services, which for years have taken the form of TTY services. Under the new rules, carriers and manufacturers will be allowed to use the more advanced and interoperable real-time text technology to meet this obligation.

Real-time text allows characters to be sent as they are created without hitting “send.” This allows text to be sent at the same time as voice communications, permitting a more conversation-friendly service. In addition, by not requiring users to hit “send,” 911 call center personnel, for example, will be able to receive even incomplete messages from people in need. Real-time text enables the full integration of people with disabilities into IP communications networks as they become widely available. It allows consumers using text communications to interact directly with consumers on voice phones, and vice versa. This technology will also be able to function in off-the-shelf devices like common smartphones. This will eliminate the need for consumers with disabilities to purchase expensive and often hard-to-find specialized text devices.

The order adopted today allows companies to transition to real-time text as a replacement for TTY services. The Commission has already granted various wireless carriers’ waiver requests of the Commission’s requirements to support TTY technology as they committed to developing and deploying real-time text services on their wireless IP networks. They and other stakeholders generally agree on the technical feasibility of real-time text, as well as its superior reliability, efficiency, character sets, features and speed over TTY.

This order responds to AT&T’s petition asking the FCC to initiate a rulemaking that would authorize the industry-wide substitution of real-time text for TTY technology to meet accessibility requirements on wireless networks. To fulfill this requirement, real-time text services must be both compatible with existing TTY services and interoperable with real-time text applications on other networks. The Commission also adopted a notice asking questions about next steps in the process of integrating these services into telecommunications relay services and the need for certain RTT features for people with cognitive disabilities and who are deaf-blind.


Document Type: News Release

Bureau(s): Consumer and Governmental Affairs

Files

  • News Release: Docx Pdf Txt
Related Topics
  • 6G R&I,
  • Announcement,
  • Devices,
  • FCC,
  • News,
  • North America,
  • Tracker

More Like This

Access Evolution

Juniper Networks Announces Cloud Metro Innovation to Drive Sustainable Business Growth for Service Providers

Jul 4, 2022

AI, Analytics & Automation

Ooredoo Group Enhances Customer Experience with New Solutions in Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Fraud Protection

Jul 3, 2022

Digital Platforms & Services

ETSI OSM launches release twelve, with enhanced network function resiliency and runtime operations

Jul 1, 2022

Digital Platforms & Services

BT remains home of UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Europa Conference League until 2027

Jul 1, 2022

Open RAN

Keysight’s Participation in O-RAN Global PlugFest Spring 2022 Enables Ecosystem to Speed Open RAN Technology Development and Specifications Maturity

Jul 1, 2022

This content extract was originally sourced from an external website (FCC Headlines) and is the copyright of the external website owner. TelecomTV is not responsible for the content of external websites. Legal Notices

Email Newsletters

Stay up to date with the latest industry developments: sign up to receive TelecomTV's top news and videos plus exclusive subscriber-only content direct to your inbox – including our daily news briefing and weekly wrap.

Subscribe

Top Picks

Highlights of our content from across TelecomTV today

10:14

Executive Interview: Vodafone’s Lucia De Miguel Albertos on the ultimate RAN Intelligent Controller

39:34

Figuring out the TCO of Open RAN

6:47

Dell's Role in Open RAN

4:24

Executive Interview: Neil McRae on BT's Open RAN Plans

TelecomTV
Company
  • About Us
  • Media Kit
  • Contact Us
Our Brands
  • DSP Leaders World Forum
  • Great Telco Debate
  • TelecomTV Events
Get In Touch
[email protected]
+44 (0) 207 448 1070
Connect With Us
  • Privacy
  • Cookies
  • Terms of Use
  • Legal Notices
  • Help

TelecomTV is produced by the team at Decisive Media.

© Decisive Media Limited 2022. All rights reserved. All brands and products are the trademarks of their respective holder(s).