FCC Warns Relay Providers of 911 Requirements

Companies that provide Internet-based telecommunications relay services (TRS) must adhere to all the applicable federal regulations, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is warning, including providing location-identifying information about the caller. The Commission issues its “Enforcement Advisory” on Wednesday as a reminder of the requirements and of the enforcement actions and fines that could result for violations. “The purpose of (the regulations) is to ensure that individuals with hearing or speech disabilities who use Internet-based TRS receive 911 service that is comparable to that received by traditional telephone network TRS users,” the FCC wrote in the advisory. It emphasized that the requirements apply, “regardless of the equipment or software used by consumers seeking emergency assistance via Internet-based TRS.” Callers might use TRS or third-party software, or the subscriber’s own software to make the calls, the FCC noted. Download (pdf) the FCC’s advisory here.