The FCC adopted interim emergency call handling rules for Interne...

move forward on adopting a ten-digit numbering plan in an expeditious manner,” it said. Under the plan, IP relay providers would be required to accept an emergency call and forward it to a designated 10- digit phone number, the commission said. The agency seeks to “refresh quickly the record on relay service numbering issues and then plans to hold a stakeholder workshop immediately thereafter,” it said. A final FCC order will address the ten-digit plan second quarter, with implementation “no later than” Dec. 31, the order said. The order is a “much-needed first step” while the Commission arranges a permanent and automated emergency access solution, said FCC Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein. Adelstein and Commissioner Michael Copps lauded the FCC for committing to a 10-digit plan. Commissioner Deborah Tate also endorsed the order: “While I often advocate a light regulatory touch for Internet-based services, it is essential that critical social goals -- such as TRS -- are implemented in an equitable and non-discriminatory manner across platforms, service providers and specific technologies.” The FCC won’t renew waivers of the emergency call handling requirement for video relay services or IP Relay providers, it said. But the waivers, once set to expire Dec. 31, now will expire after the order becomes effective. The commission terminated the waiver for IP captioned telephone service providers.