National Association of the Deaf

Submitted by Debra.Patkin on Wed, 03/10/2010 - 13:26

The NAD, working with TDI and other consumer groups, advocated strongly for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to allow people to use VRS and IP Relay toll free numbers (800 or 866 numbers) the same way hearing people use toll free numbers.  See the NAD Consumer Alert for more information.  Today, as a result of these efforts, all calls to VRS and IP Relay toll free numbers are connected.  The FCC will review and may develop new policies for toll free numbers.  Here are some things the FCC may consider.

Business Toll Free Numbers

Many businesses use toll free telephone numbers.  Customers can call these businesses for free.  Just like these businesses, business owners who use VRS (or IP Relay) should be able to get, own, use, and transfer their toll free numbers when they switch to a different VRS or IP Relay provider.

Personal Toll Free Numbers

Very few telephone users have personal (residential) toll free numbers.  Why?  Toll free numbers are not free.  Some people, however, have toll free numbers.  For example, they may have a lot of friends or relatives who pay extra for long distance calls.  The person with the toll free number pays for calls made to that toll free number.  Some VRS and IP Relay users may also want a toll free number – if they have friends or relatives who pay extra for long distance calls.  When a VRS or IP Relay user really needs a toll free number, they should be able to get, own, use, and transfer their toll free number when they switch to a different VRS or IP Relay provider.

Local 10-digit Numbers Are Superior to Toll Free Numbers

Functional Equivalency

To be functionally equivalent, toll free numbers for VRS and IP Relay users must function the same as business and personal toll free numbers used by telephone users.  This means that all telephone and videophone calls to a VRS or IP Relay user’s toll free number must be connected.

Who Pays for Having a Toll Free Number?

For telephone users, the cost of getting a toll free number usually includes a monthly fee (about $15/month), plus a fee (about 5 cents) for every minute of every telephone call (local and long distance telephone calls) made to the toll free number.

Today, for VRS and IP Relay users, there is no cost for toll free numbers.  Instead, VRS and IP Relay providers pay for the cost of toll free numbers.  Because these toll free numbers are free to VRS and IP Relay users, many people have these numbers when they really do not need them. Having two numbers (a local 10-digit number and a toll free number), when only one number (a local 10-digit number) is needed, is a waste of VRS and IP Relay resources and money.  These resources and money can be better used to improve VRS and IP Relay services, technology, and equipment.

Possible FCC Policy Change

To eliminate waste and save money that can be used to improve VRS and IP Relay in other ways, the FCC may decide that VRS and IP Relay users (businesses and individuals) should pay for their toll free numbers, just like everyone else.

What do you think?

Do you think local 10-digit numbers are superior to toll free numbers?

Do you think VRS and IP Relay providers should pay for toll free numbers or use that money to improve services, technology, and equipment?

If the FCC decides you should pay for your toll free number, will you keep or drop your toll free number?

Should VRS and IP Relay users pay for toll free numbers the same as telephone users pay for toll free numbers?

We welcome your Comments below or send us an email.