Originally Posted by jtodrosen

Red Wolf, Chevy 57 gave a good answer about the extension of the registration deadline, will look to see if you have any follow up questions or comments.

SouthFella, you are right, it took Snap!VRS (and many other VRS providers) some time to get up to speed with provisioning consumers with ten digit numbers. The FCC made it clear that the cost of the ten digit numbers itself (acquisition, assignment & maintenance) is not a reimbursable expense. Providers had to change their budget in midstream to absorb this significant cost, then negotiate agreements with a nationwide company which would make ten digit numbers available for providers to assign to consumers. Those numbering companies have considerably high monthly minimums, yet at best can only cover approximately 80% of the country. In many areas, providers have to negotiate another agreement with that local numbering company, which can become a drain on limited time and resources to support if only a few customers in a specific location need numbers. Providers had to implement a operating plan to allow consumers to sign up for numbers. Then those consumers had to verify their address for E911 purposes.

I'm not making excuses for those providers like us, just showing that it was a lot of effort and cost involved to get off the ground. Providers like Sorenson which have more resources available to them were able to quickly race ahead to keep their customers.

Snap!VRS now typically has a same day turn around time for provisioning numbers. Unless, like all other providers, Sorenson included, a number is requested by consumers who live in certain geographical areas where its difficult to assign numbers. Sorenson recently petitioned the FCC to allow it to assign "guest" numbers to cover consumers who live outside the areas covered by its numbering provider (I believe they use a company called Level 3 Communications, which is the same company Snap!VRS uses).

Appreciate the opportunity to discuss a bit about the nuts and bolts involved in provisioning ten digit numbers.

-Jeff Rosen