Sprint Says FCC Draft Order's IP CTS Compensation Cuts Would Be 'Arbitrary'
Sprint suggested an FCC draft order to cut the IP captioned telephone service rate by 10 percent each of the next two years would be unlawful. "In cutting the rate and abandoning MARS [multistate average rate structure], the Commission would…
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be unmooring the rate from any rate-setting methodology," which would be "arbitrary," said a filing by the IP CTS provider posted Monday in docket 13-24. "Sprint would be willing to support a rate freeze at the current $1.95 per minute in lieu of a reduction while the Commission examines a host of issues including, importantly, an alternative rate making methodology and quality of service issues (which inherently affect the underlying costs of the service). Aside from legal and procedural concerns, an interim, reduced rate could be highly disruptive to both providers and users of IP CTS. Sprint noted that the IP Relay market collapsed through similar regulatory interdiction and encouraged the Commission to heed the lessons of history." Filings also were posted from Raz Mobility (here), Hamilton Relay (here) and ClearCaptions (here in docket 03-123). The draft item containing an order, ruling and notices is on the agenda for Thursday's commissioners' meeting.