Industry Disagrees on Interoperable Videoconferencing Proposal
Industry disagreed on whether some of the FCC's proposed changes to its interoperable videoconferencing service rules are necessary, in reply comments posted Tuesday in docket 03-123 (see 2308070015). It's "premature" to adopt new performance objectives, said the Consumer Technology Association.…
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"The commission's questions are ripe for further dialogue," CTA said, saying a Further NPRM would "be an appropriate next step." CTA raised concerns about the "numerous and minute details in the record" on noncompliance conditions. "As a threshold issue, Congress only authorized the commission prescribe affirmative performance objectives," CTA said. T-Mobile agreed, saying there are "many open questions" about integrating video relay service with interoperable videoconferencing services. The carrier also backed a collaborative approach between consumers and providers before further regulations are adopted. ZP Better Together backed the proposed changes. ZP said it supports amending the privacy screen rule, saying video relay service users' ability to "put up a privacy screen is not only necessary but a fundamental right for a deaf, hard of hearing and deafblind user to have the same experience and option in a video conference call as their hearing counterparts." ZP also urged the FCC to ensure videoconferencing is provided in a way that's "functionally equivalent to hearing participants." Sign-Speak urged the FCC to "take caution" so it doesn't "create harm to the interpretation industry." The company said current accessibility in interoperable videoconferencing service platforms is "insufficient," asking the FCC to require that accessibility be "provided" rather than "enabled" in its rules.