PUBLIC NOTICE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 445 12th Street, S.W. WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554 News media information 202/418-0500; Fax-On-Demand 202/418-2830; Internet: http://www.fcc.gov; TTY: 202/418-2555 DA 99-1170 June 16, 1999 REVISED PUBLIC NOTICE ON FCC CONVENES A PUBLIC FORUM ON 711 ACCESS TO TELECOMMUNICATIONS RELAY SERVICES CC Docket No. 92-105 This Public Notice supersedes the Public Notice of the same title released on June 8, 1999, DA 99-1113. The FCC invites individuals with hearing or speech disabilities, state administrators, members of the telecommunications industry, and other members of the public to a forum to discuss implementing 711 access to telecommunications relay services ("TRS"). The goal of this forum will be to identify the steps that must be taken to implement 711 access to TRS, as well as any obstacles to implementation and how those obstacles can be resolved. As described below, we will hold the forum on Wednesday, September 8, 1999. In 1997, the Commission issued a First Report and Order, which directed Bellcore to assign 711 on a nationwide basis for access to TRS, and a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking ("Further Notice"), which asked for comment on implementing 711 access to TRS. In the Further Notice, the Commission requested comment on the type of network needed to implement 711 access to TRS; the steps to implement this network; the costs involved and how they should be recovered; and what effect, if any, nationwide implementation of an N11 code for TRS access will have on Commercial Mobile Radio Services ("CMRS") providers and their networks. In addition, the Commission requested comment about the provision of voice and text TRS through the same abbreviated N11 code, the proprietary nature of N11 codes and on transferring the administration of N11 codes at the local level from the incumbent LECs to the North American Numbering Plan ("NANP") administrator. The Commission received 22 comments and 7 reply comments addressing these questions. Several commenters stated that additional information was needed before implementation of 711 access to TRS could be accomplished. To supplement and refresh the record, we will host a forum on Wednesday, September 8, 1999 at 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. in the Commission Meeting Room, Room TW-C305, at 445 12th St. S.W., Washington, D.C. 20554. At the forum, we will seek to identify the telephone needs of the TRS user community and discuss the issues presented to state administrators and carriers in implementing 711 access to TRS. The forum will focus on implementing a switched-based N11 system to access TRS and discuss the following: (1) the projected costs of implementing a switched-based 711 system to access TRS and how those costs should be recovered; (2) procedures to ensure that TRS centers provide a choice of carriers to TRS users that will carry their TRS traffic from the TRS center to the called party; (3) methods to educate and provide technical assistance to the public about 711 access to TRS, including airing public service announcements; (4) implementation of 711 access to TRS on CMRS networks; and (5) the length of time in which states will be able to implement a switched- based 711 system to access TRS. In addition, we will address whether to transfer the administration of N11 codes at the local level from the incumbent LECs to the NANP administrator. Finally, at the forum, we will discuss the format that the Maryland Relay Center, in conjunction with Bell Atlantic, has chosen to provide 711 access to TRS. The forum will be open captioned and sign language interpreters will be provided. The forum will enable a full exchange of ideas on 711 access to TRS. We will select individuals with varying viewpoints to make in-person presentations at the forum. Such presentations will provide starting points for discussion. Individuals interested in making in-person presentations should send an e-mail expressing their interest, a brief summary of their proposed in-person presentation, their title, and their biographical data to hnankin@fcc.gov (e-mail) and gkennedy@fcc.gov (e-mail). Those parties selected to make in-person presentations must submit to the Commission written ex parte comments containing or summarizing their presentations by August 1, 1999, in compliance with Section 1.1206 of the Commission's rules, 47 C.F.R.  1.1206 (permit- but-disclose) and in the manner described below. While time constraints may limit the number of individuals that can make in-person presentations at the forum, we encourage all individuals to submit written ex parte comments by this same date. Written ex parte comments will help us focus the agenda for the public forum and aid us in our decision-making with regard to 711 access to TRS. There will also be an opportunity to submit written ex parte comments after the forum. All written ex parte comments should be submitted by August 1, 1999, to Magalie Roman Salas, Secretary, 445 12th Street, S.W., TW-A325, Washington D.C. 20554 and should reference CC Docket No. 92-105. In addition, please send your written ex parte comments to Anna M. Gomez, Chief, Network Services Division, Common Carrier Bureau, 445 12th Street, S.W., #6-A320, Washington, D.C. 20554 and to Helene Schrier Nankin and David Ward at the same address. You may also file ex parte comments using the Commission's Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS). Ex parte comments filed through the ECFS can be sent as an electronic file via the Internet to . If using this method, please reference CC Docket No. 92-105 in the Proceeding Block. Generally, only one copy of an electronic submission must be filed. In completing the transmittal screen, commenters should include their full name, Postal Service mailing address, and the applicable docket or rulemaking number. Parties may also submit an electronic ex parte comment by Internet e-mail. To get filing instructions for e-mail ex parte comments, commenters should send an e-mail to ecfs@fcc.gov, including "get form " in the body of the message. A sample form and directions will be sent in reply. Those unable to attend the forum can listen to it live over the Internet through RealAudio from the FCC web site at: or hear it via telephone, for a fee, from National Narrowcast Network, (202) 966-2211 (voice/TRS) or (202) 966-1770 (fax). The forum also will be captioned on the Internet. Such individuals can send their views and/or questions during the forum to: 711forum@fcc.gov (e-mail). The e-mails should have the heading, "Ex Parte Comments in CC Docket 92-105." If time permits, views and/or questions received during the forum via this e-mail site will be addressed at the forum. These views will be included in the record of the 711 proceeding. Any hand-outs that are distributed at this meeting from in-person presenters or Commission presenters will be posted on the Internet at the Disabilities Issues Task Force web page at and at the Common Carrier Bureau's Network Services Division's web page at . Hand-outs will also be available for purchase from the FCC's duplicating contractor, International Transcription Services, Inc. (ITS, Inc.), 1231 20th Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20036, at (202) 857-3800 (voice/TRS) (202) 293-8810 (TTY), (202) 857-3805 (fax), or service@itsdocs.com (e-mail). In addition, hand-outs will be made available in alternative formats (computer diskette, large print, audio cassette and Braille) to persons with disabilities by contacting Martha Contee at (202) 418-0260 (voice), (202) 418-2555 (TTY), or mcontee@fcc.gov (e-mail). A transcript of the forum will be available 10 working days after the forum on the FCC's Internet site at: and . Transcripts may also be obtained from ITS at the phone numbers and e-mail address listed above. Audio and video tapes of the forum may be purchased from Infocus, 341 Victory Drive, Herndon, VA 20170, at (703) 834- 0100 (voice/TRS), (703) 834-0111 (fax). Copies of the transcripts in other alternative formats (computer diskette, large print, and Braille) are available to persons with disabilities by contacting Martha Contee at (202) 418-0260 (voice), (202) 418-2555 (TTY), or mcontee@fcc.gov (e-mail). Please make any requests for accommodations to Ginny Kennedy at (202) 418-2328 (voice), (202) 418-0484 (TTY), or gkennedy@fcc.gov (e-mail). For more information about the forum, please contact Helene Schrier Nankin at (202) 418- 1466 (voice), (202) 418-0484 (TTY), or hnankin@fcc.gov (e-mail); or David Ward at (202) 418- 2336 (voice), (202) 418-0484 (TTY), or doward@fcc.gov (e-mail). - FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION -