Attention: Deaf canadians!

Royale · 08-02-2009, 11:18 PM

Last week the CRTC has issued a press note about Broadcasting and Telecom Regulatory Policy CRTC 2009-430 and there are a couple of real important notes about IP Relay Service and VRS.

Broadcasting and Telecom Regulatory Policy CRTC 2009-430

Since it is a very long press note, I have copied and pasted two sections about IP Relay and VRS below:

Quote:

IP Relay
15. In all relay calls, the relay operator is an intermediary between the caller and the intended recipient of the call who transmits messages back and forth. In a TTY relay call, the relay operator transmits messages via TTY-based text conversation with a person with a hearing or speech disability and via voice conversation with a person without such a disability.
16. In an IP Relay call, the relay operator transmits messages via Internet Protocol (IP)-based text conversation with a person with a hearing or speech disability and via voice conversation with a person without such a disability. The person with a hearing or speech disability communicates using text with the relay operator via the Internet and accesses the IP Relay service through the IP Relay provider's Web page or an Instant Messaging application using IP-based text messaging supported on a web-enabled device (mobile wireless phone, smartphone, web-capable telephone, etc.).5
17. From the perspective of a relay service user with a hearing or speech disability, IP Relay is a logical evolution of TTY Relay. Both TTY Relay and IP Relay are text-to-voice relay services; however, IP Relay is not subject to the same technological limitations as TTY Relay. IP Relay enables faster communication between the user with a disability and the relay operator (including calls to 9-1-1). IP Relay enables users to make relay calls using a web-capable device where there is Internet access. IP Relay allows users to see significantly more of the conversation on their computer screens than they can see with a TTY liquid crystal display (LCD) window. IP Relay allows users to print out and save conversations. IP Relay users can initiate multiple calls simultaneously and make conference calls. In light of the above, the Commission considers that the provision of IP Relay would provide significant benefit to TTY Relay users.
18. Based on the record of this proceeding, the Commission finds that it is technically feasible for TSPs to provide IP Relay. The Commission also notes that TTY Relay costs have decreased since the TTY Relay service rates were last adjusted. The record shows that, on average, between the years 2004 and 2008, the ILECs collectively collected 6 $28.5 million per year and collectively spent $11.7 million per year to provide TTY Relay. During that period, the amount collected to provide TTY Relay has exceeded the amount required to provide it by an average of $16.8 million per year. The Commission finds that the recent excess in the rates collected to provide TTY Relay provides the funding to support the introduction and operation of IP Relay as an adjunct to TTY Relay via the same revenue stream.7
19. Accordingly, the Commission finds it appropriate to require the provision of IP Relay.
20. The Commission further finds it appropriate to continue to require the provision of TTY Relay to meet the specific needs of certain Canadians - particularly those who are DeafBlind, those without Internet access and those who access relay services using payphones.

Implementation of IP Relay

21. The Commission directs all LECs, including wireless CLECs, and VoIP providers that are required to provide TTY Relay to provide IP Relay, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by 21 July 2010. As with TTY Relay, TSPs may meet the obligation to provide IP Relay by providing the service directly or by outsourcing the provision of the service to a third-party. Further, by 21 July 2010, all references to "message relay service" in the existing relay service requirements set out in previous Commission decisions shall be read to include both TTY Relay and IP Relay.
22. By 21 April 2010 the ILECs are to file revised proposed relay service tariffs. The Commission does not expect the proposed tariffs to include rate increases.
23. The Commission considers that its power under section 24 of the Telecommunications Act to impose conditions on the offering and provision of telecommunications services on Canadian carriers is an appropriate means to impose requirements with respect to IP Relay. The Commission requires Canadian carriers, as a condition of the provision of service, to include in their contracts with resellers, a condition that resellers of local exchange services comply with the same obligations imposed on Canadian carriers.

Video Relay

24. Unlike TTY Relay or IP Relay, Video Relay enables communication with a relay operator using sign language. As such, Video Relay provides significant benefit to those persons with hearing and speech disabilities who communicate via sign language (e.g. American Sign Language (ASL) or Langue des signes québécoise (LSQ)).
25. The Commission considers that the record of this proceeding is insufficient to determine whether TSPs should be required to provide Video Relay. In particular, the record did not establish critical information such as the costs of providing this service, the size of the individual ASL or LSQ Video Relay user markets, or projected use. The record does indicate that the costs of providing a Video Relay service would be high, considering the need for high bandwidth and highly-skilled language interpretation in two sign languages.
26. Therefore, the Commission considers that further investigation into this matter is necessary to acquire accurate information pertaining to cost, user market size and projected use of this service. The Commission intends to assess whether a follow-up proceeding on Video Relay is warranted three years from the date of this Regulatory Policy. The Commission considers that information resulting from the Video Relay initiatives (trials) approved in Telecom Decision 2008-1 is vital to determining whether such a follow-up proceeding is warranted. Therefore, the Commission reiterates its determination that Bell Canada and TELUS Communications Company are to implement the initiatives by the date set out in that Decision (31 December 2011).8 The Commission considers that this timeframe will also allow for actual information pertaining to the use, cost and rates of IP Relay and TTY Relay (information that would be relevant to such a proceeding) to become available.
27. The Commission notes that any TSP may choose to provide Video Relay, on a regional or national basis, subject to Commission approval of a Video Relay tariff.

It means we will not have our VRS in place until at least winter 2012.

I am going to contact my friends in CAD, CCSD and other organizations to see if they can push the CRTC hard and aggressively to have ILECs implemented VRS as soon as 2010 or 2011.

CAD and CCSD has had a partnership in VRS called Sign Relay Canada (SRC) and they did apply for a license to run VRS. The CRTC had no choice but rejected their license because of their stupid and ridiculous policy which states that the ILECs get first opportunity to get a license to run any kind of service. I know for a fact that the SRC is already ready to run the VRS but they are stuck with the CRTC decision on awarding licenses to the ILECs.

souggy · 08-02-2009, 11:21 PM

Oh... wow.

May I have your permission to blog the siplet you have posted on the forum?

Royale · 08-02-2009, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by souggy

Oh... wow.

May I have your permission to blog the siplet you have posted on the forum?

Be my guest.

You might know Henry Vlug, a Deaf lawyer in Vancouver. He went to the CRTC hearing and proceedings so maybe you can ask him for more information. I believe he is one of the best sources that you can contact.

souggy · 08-02-2009, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Royale

Be my guest.

You might know Henry Vlug, a Deaf lawyer in Vancouver. He went to the CRTC hearing and proceedings so maybe you can ask him for more information. I believe he is one of the best sources that you can contact.

Merci. Unfortunately, I don't know him since I have fell out of being in contact with the Deaf community. Thanks for the heads up though.

It seems like the CRTC is not aware of how many deaf people out there that want this technology.

Royale · 08-02-2009, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by souggy

Merci. Unfortunately, I don't know him since I have fell out of being in contact with the Deaf community. Thanks for the heads up though.

It seems like the CTRC is not aware of how many deaf people out there that want this technology.

Ah it is okay.

Jim Roots of the CAD told me that the CRTC has been not enough aware of or ignorant of our needs and rights so they need to be educated amd understood.

arlanda · 08-18-2009, 01:40 PM

Does this mean, in Canada, we're unable to connect to a relay operator via VoIP at the meantime? I've recently upgraded to VoIP and I'm currently looking for a solution/workaround to use the TTY-to-Voice service.

Banjo · 08-18-2009, 01:55 PM

I'm not impressed with CRTC. What a bunch of moronic bureaucrats.

Royale · 08-24-2009, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Banjo

I'm not impressed with CRTC. What a bunch of moronic bureaucrats.

I cannot agree with you more.

Here's a press statement from Canadian Association of the Deaf.

» News & » Canadian Association of the Deaf

08-02-2009, 11:21 PM	#2 (permalink)
souggy Ace Attorney Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Victoria, BC Posts: 2,340	Oh... wow. May I have your permission to blog the siplet you have posted on the forum? __________________ Souggy's Blog Warning! Contains skewed comments & inane ramblings. May cause spontaneous human combustion

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Today
Deafness	Sponsored Links __________________ This advertising will not be shown in this way to registered members. Register your free account today and become a member on AllDeaf.com

08-18-2009, 01:40 PM	#6 (permalink)
arlanda Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada Posts: 3	Does this mean, in Canada, we're unable to connect to a relay operator via VoIP at the meantime? I've recently upgraded to VoIP and I'm currently looking for a solution/workaround to use the TTY-to-Voice service.

08-18-2009, 01:55 PM	#7 (permalink)
Banjo Mr. Movie Guy Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 5,959 Blog Entries: 1	I'm not impressed with CRTC. What a bunch of moronic bureaucrats.