The FCC should cover the cost of training sign language interpret...
The FCC should cover the cost of training sign language interpreters when it sets compensation rates for video relay service (VRS) providers, Sorenson Communications said in comments filed Mon. at the FCC. Interpreter training hasn’t kept up with demand,…
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and a shortage looms, said Sorenson, a provider of VRS services and equipment. The reply comments responded an FCC proposal to change how telecom relay service (TRS) providers are compensated. AT&T told the FCC today’s regime “does not afford many providers a reasonable opportunity to fully recover their reasonable costs and is burdensome for both providers and NECA [the TRS administrator].” AT&T said the FCC should make sure a new regime “encourages provider efficiency, affords providers a reasonable opportunity to fully recover their costs in providing traditional and new TRS services and minimizes the burdens on providers, NECA and the Commission.” The company said it supports, for traditional TRS services, a proposed Multistate Average Rate Structure (MARS) plan that “relies on market-based intrastate rates derived from competitive bidding.” AT&T said for VRS, speech-to-speech and IP relay it generally backs Verizon’s proposed compensation methodology but “strongly opposes” a price cap approach proposed by Sorenson. It said it could support the MARS plan for IP relay services, which uses the same communications assistants and equipment to provide IP relay and traditional TRS.