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Interstate Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) Fund
Section 225 of the Communications Act, 47 U.S.C. Section 225, requires the Commission to ensure that interstate and intrastate telecommunications relay services (TRS) are available, to the extent possible and in the most efficient manner, to persons with hearing and speech disabilities in the United States. Since July 26, 1993, therefore, the Commission's rules have required that each common carrier providing voice transmission services provide TRS throughout the
areas which it serves. The cost of intrastate TRS services are recovered by the states, either through rate adjustments or surcharges on local telephone bills. Costs for interstate TRS are recovered through a shared-funding mechanism (TRS Fund) set forth in the Commission's rules. All providers of interstate telecommunications services contribute to the TRS Fund, and TRS providers recover the costs of providing interstate TRS from the TRS Fund on a minutes-of-use basis. The current TRS Fund Administrator (Administrator) is the National Exchange Carrier Association (NECA). TAPD is responsible for the oversight of the interstate TRS Fund,and handles all rulemakings and other matters relating to the funding of interstate TRS. Issues regarding the policies and rules for the operation of TRS, including the mandatory minimum standards for TRS, are handled by the Disabilities Rights Office of the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau
For detailed information on TRS operational rules and policies, please visit the DRO web site
TRS Remibursement Rates for Funding Year July 1, 2002 - June 30, 2003
Order. Petition for Declaratory Ruling that the Provision of INTELSAT Space Segment by COMSAT is not an Interstate Service for Purposes of the TRS Fund. (Dkt No. 90-571, FCC 03-92)Text | Word 04/24/03
Order. NECA Petition for Interim Waiver and Rulemaking Regarding the Cost Recovery for Wireless TRS Calls ( Dkt No. 98-67, DA 02-2136)Text | Word 08/30/02
Public Notice. Proposed Payment Formula and Fund Size Estimate for the Interstate Telecommunications Relay Services Fund for July 2002 through June 2003 ( Dkt No. 90-571, DA 02-1422) Text | Word 06/14/02
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Interstate TRS Fund Advisory Council
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The Commission's rules require the TRS Fund Administrator to establish a non-paid, voluntary advisory committee to monitor interstate TRS cost-recovery matters (Interstate TRS Fund Advisory Council). Pursuant to the Commission's rules, the Council must consist of representatives from the following groups:
The Hearing and Speech Disabilities Communities
TRS users (voice and TTY)
Interstate service providers
The Council meets at least semi-annually and its meetings are open to the public. The most recent meeting of the Council was on October 3, 2002.
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