Media Contact: 
Mike Snyder 
michael.snyder@fcc.gov

For Immediate Release

FCC SEEKS COMMENT ON POSSIBLE UPDATES TO COMPENSATION METHODOLOGY FOR INTERNET PROTOCOL RELAY SERVICE
 Service Provides Functionally Equivalent Voice Services for Americans With Hearing and Speech Disabilities 
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WASHINGTON, August 5, 2020—The Federal Communications Commission today approved a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to address the compensation methodology for Internet Protocol Relay Service (IP Relay). 

To ensure that IP Relay is provided in the most efficient manner and that providers are able to recover reasonable costs, the Commission is seeking comment on proposals for how the process for setting IP Relay compensation levels might be modified.  The proposals include updating the methodology for calculating the compensation amount and broadening the range of costs eligible for compensation.  The Commission is also seeking comment on how often to reexamine costs and what kind of mid-period adjustments should be made, as well as alternative approaches to setting IP Relay compensation. 

IP Relay is a form of Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) that allows an individual with a hearing or speech disability to communicate with voice telephone users by transmitting text via the Internet.  The text transmission is delivered to a relay call center, where a communications assistant converts the user’s text to speech for the hearing party and converts that party’s speech to text for the IP Relay user. 

IP Relay is supported entirely by the Interstate TRS Fund.  The current IP Relay compensation period ends on June 30, 2022. For more information about IP Relay: https://www.fcc.gov/ip-relay.

Action by the Commission August 5, 2021 by Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FCC 21-95).  Acting Chairwoman Rosenworcel, Commissioners Carr, Starks, and Simington approving.  Acting Chairwoman Rosenworcel issuing a separate statement.

CG Docket No. 03-123; RM-11820

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This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action.  See MCI v. FCC, 515 F.2d 385 (D.C. Cir. 1974).