FCC to Transition 800 Number Users to Toll Free Providers

The NAD, along with other consumer groups, filed comments in response to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking about Video Relay Service (VRS) and IP Relay toll free numbers (800 or 866 numbers). The FCC proposed rules will make getting toll free numbers more like the way that telephone users get toll free numbers – from a toll free number provider. Toll free number providers charge for toll free number service. The FCC also proposes a one-year transition period for consumers to release their toll free numbers or select a toll free number provider to handle their toll free number service. The deadline for comments is December 17, 2010.

The NAD advocated strongly for the FCC to allow people to use VRS and IP Relay toll free numbers the same way hearing people use toll free numbers. Today, as a result of these efforts, all calls to VRS and IP Relay toll free numbers are connected. For more information about toll-free numbers, see the NAD Update on Toll Free Numbers [2].

The NAD believes that local 10-digit numbers for VRS and IP Relay users are superior to toll free numbers [3]. However, many VRS and IP Relay users still have two numbers – a local 10-digit number and a toll free number.  The NAD encourages VRS and IP Relay users to use their local 10-digit numbers and stop using toll free numbers.

In the comments [4]recently filed with the FCC, the NAD supports the FCC’s proposed rules to transition toll free number service to toll free number providers.

The first step in this transition process is to stop the automatic assignment of toll free numbers to VRS and IP Relay users.  The second step is to ensure that services to existing toll free number users are not disrupted.  The third step is to conduct outreach and education to ensure that VRS and IP Relay users who have and want to continue to use their toll free numbers are smoothly transitioned to toll free number providers for service.  Toll free number providers charge for toll free number service.  Getting and using a toll free number will not continue to be provided by VRS and IP Relay service providers for free.

At the end of one year, or after 2011, the toll free numbers assigned to VRS and IP Relay users who have not released their toll free numbers or transitioned their toll free numbers to a toll free number service provider will be released and made available for resale.

Tell the FCC –

Ensure a smooth transition to toll free number providers for VRS and IP Relay users who want to continue using toll free numbers after 2011.

You can tell the FCC what you think about this plan to transition toll free numbers to toll free number providers for continued service after 2011.  You can also tell the FCC if one year is enough time for VRS and IP Relay users to learn about this transition and to release or transfer their toll free number to a toll free number provider for continued service.

Deadline for comments is Friday, December 17, 2010

Click here [5] to submit your comments to the FCC.  Type 10-213 in the box marked “Proceeding Number.”  Type your name, contact information, and comments in the other boxes provided.  When complete, click on “Continue” to confirm and send your comment to the FCC.