What’s with the fuss about 10 digits phone numbers for videophones?
Confusing terms like TN, LNP, 10 digit numbers, IP, etc.
By Frank Mounts
FCC issued an order for all VRS providers who distributes their own version of videophones (such as VP100, VP200, MVP, OJO, Z videophone, and VPAD) to start using real phone numbers starting after December 31st, 2008.
TN = Ten numbers or LNP = Local Number Portability means real 10 digit phone number that equals what hearing people use to call each other, an example may be: 360-555-5078
All VRS providers are working hard to configure their platform to work with a national database, called NeuStar. The database allows for all VRS providers who distributes their own version of videophone to share local numbers with each other instead of using “fake” or proxy phone numbers.
Basically, it would allow for a hearing person to call you on your videophone by the use of local 10 digits phone number. Hearing people will be automatically connected with a video interpreter, who will call you on your videophone device — AND videophone users can call you on that same number from ANY videophone devices that are designed for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. This service is paid for by FCC.
That is a great news! Now we can be functionally equivalent (equal) with hearing people with thanks to FCC. You can give out your local phone numbers to doctors, tax consultants, banks, stores of any kind without the need for extension numbers which makes our life a lot easier. The problem that existed before the numbering order was:
* Hearing people hangs up or does not accept your calls because their caller id “show” a company calling and thinks, “telemarketer” when in reality it was you that made the call.
* Instructing hearing people that are confused about the need to enter extension numbers.
* Being unable to put down extension numbers on paper forms or online forms.
* Taking quite a while for hearing people to connect call to your videophone when they need to go through series of steps in order to call you.
* Getting no calls from prospective employers where you applied for a job and put down a toll-free number with extension numbers.
FCC says that you have 6 months (June 30th, 2009) to obtain a real local number from your VRS provider. VRS providers will no longer process your VRS calls if you have not yet obtained a local number. I would recommend you contacting your preferred VRS providers as soon you can to obtain a local number.