FCC threatens to destroy VRS by mismanagement

A

aslrocks58

New Member
Joined
Apr 24, 2009
Messages
37
Reaction score
0
Video Relay Service threatened by beaureacratic mismanagement!

The FCC is planning to drastically cut the rates for video relay services. It will drive most if not all providers out of the business because it will be more costly to provide the service than what is paid to the providers. The cuts will be greatest to the company that serves the most people, but it will impact all companies and all users of video relay service. If you want to express your opinion about how this will impact you, go to the FCC website: ECFS Home Page Select the link: Submit a filing (express)
then select Proceeding # 03-123. You will be asked to fill in a form with your name and address. Then add your comments to the comment box. Then you will be asked to confirm that what you see is what you wish to submit for your comment. The deadline for comments is next Friday, May 14th. The change will go into effect July 1, 2010 unless they can be convinced that it is a bad plan. This is no hoax. It is true biz.

Please spread the word. FCC needs to know how important this issue is.
 
Please sign the petition!

ECFS Express Upload Form


I don't want ALL VRS to go down!! Sign the petition to keep VRS running and continuing services to Deaf/HOH customers!
 
I agree with aslrock58 and Oddball. But I dislike too many VRS providers over 36. I like several VRS providers like Sorenson, Purple, ZVRS, CONVO, and major providers only.
 
This is true, please remember, it is not just for the biggest VRS, it is for ALL relay service providers. You got it right, including IP based text relay service.

The biggest VRS will see more than 45% cut on rate, that is something that no VRS companies can absorb the costs.

If 45% cuts were passed by FCC, there will be domino effect starting with SVRS, and will hit Purple which could easily overwhelm and may not be able to expand fast and meet holding time. If they fail to meet holding time maximum time, then FCC will not pay them, this can ultimate kick Purple out, then ZVRS and so forth. This could easily wipe out the whole relay service industry. This is scary scenario, because not just employees at VRS depend them, there are hundred thousand of Deaf people working for any compaies that makes relay calls to do their job. E911 could halt which leaves risk to those who may need 911 services. I can't even explain more on what could affect.

We have until May 14 to take action. DO NOT wait if you want to keep Relay service. Please visit FCC website and fill in petition.

My heart goes to Deaf community, and I am STILL Relay user and customers.

DHB
 
Deadline for FCC comments is May 14th. If we do not do anything, we can kiss VRS industry goodbye by end of this year, and refer back to TTY.

Many of you think it would affect only major VRS company, this would be grave mistake because it can affect all VRS companies because once the major VRS company goes down, it will cause other VRS companies go down too.

Check in ED Telcom alert, the owner of ConvoRelay is very concern too Check his website Ed’s Telecom Alert
 
Please file your comment with the FCC.

I am a CODA and interpreter. I use VRS everyday.

Going back to TTY would be horrible.
 
I got email because I heard about to found it; I am shocked, they serious!
 
It's Obama's fault. They want more on our tax. They want to cut everything to save money.

At least, I have TTY to be prepare...
 
He was speaking for Obama cutting several spending. I am not sure if this is true but I am getting this information as possible real. I was told by one of VRS customer that works for government, that customer's VRS speed was cut in half due to not enough money.... Mind you, this was Federal office!

zerodog said:
Don't you get it... if VRS is out how do you communicate?:roll:
Click to expand...
 
Wirelessly posted

diehardbiker said:
He was speaking for Obama cutting several spending. I am not sure if this is true but I am getting this information as possible real. I was told by one of VRS customer that works for government, that customer's VRS speed was cut in half due to not enough money.... Mind you, this was Federal office!

zerodog said:
Don't you get it... if VRS is out how do you communicate?:roll:
Click to expand...
Click to expand...

Use skype or oovoo without VRS for P2P.
 
PowerON said:
It's Obama's fault. They want more on our tax. They want to cut everything to save money.

At least, I have TTY to be prepare...
Click to expand...
Set aside the politics, and sign the petition!
 
PowerON said:
It's Obama's fault. They want more on our tax. They want to cut everything to save money.

At least, I have TTY to be prepare...
Click to expand...

where is prove tax money cut of save money VRS? I guess what exactly however you know cut of VRS that is terrible. I am shocked. It is worth complaint to right to reason how figure diffcult?
 
Read NECA statement very carefully!

Based on NECA Report (http://tinyurl.com/28gx499), those VRS Vlogs and petition pleas are apparently unfounded! There will be always several VRS services – they are HERE to stay as long as you still use one of them every day! Do not believe those misleading VRS scary tactics! The FCC assures all VRS providers 11% profit plus 2% for future developments, regardless of rates to be changed.
 
Chevy57 said:
Read NECA statement very carefully!

Based on NECA Report (http://tinyurl.com/28gx499), those VRS Vlogs and petition pleas are apparently unfounded! There will be always several VRS services – they are HERE to stay as long as you still use one of them every day! Do not believe those misleading VRS scary tactics! The FCC assures all VRS providers 11% profit plus 2% for future developments, regardless of rates to be changed.
Click to expand...

While you may be correct, there is only one VRS provider in Tier 3. They are the ones who produce the most interpreted minutes. They will be the ones with the most to lose if the rate is dropped to $3 and change per minute. This rate does not apply to the other companies who produce less minutes.

While we don't know exactly what will happen, if Sorenson shuts down or at least cuts back, what will the impact be?

The other VRS companies do not have the infrastructure to take on the former Sorenson customers. Their hold times will be very long. If the hold time is too long, the FCC will not reimburse them.

Even if the companies expand enough to handle the new call volume, there would be no incentive for them to grow too much because if they ever interpret enough minutes to cross into Tier 3, they will lose money.
 
Chevy57 said:
Read NECA statement very carefully!

Based on NECA Report (http://tinyurl.com/28gx499), those VRS Vlogs and petition pleas are apparently unfounded! There will be always several VRS services – they are HERE to stay as long as you still use one of them every day! Do not believe those misleading VRS scary tactics! The FCC assures all VRS providers 11% profit plus 2% for future developments, regardless of rates to be changed.
Click to expand...

Jon Ziev's vlog
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YW9sR36_5Qs[/ame]

Good point!
 
Last edited:
PowerON said:
It's Obama's fault. They want more on our tax. They want to cut everything to save money.

At least, I have TTY to be prepare...
Click to expand...

#1...STFU about Obama. He didn't do this, FCC did.

#2...almost nobody has a TTY anymore. My old one died. I can't afford another one. They go for about $700, too expensive. It is not fair that we have to pay $700 for a "phone" just to talk to other people, if hearing people only have to pay $30 for their phone. That's not fair. Besides, we would be more likely to be hung up on if we still used TTYs and old fashioned relay. Sorenson VP-200 is the best thing that has ever happened since sliced bread, seriously.

Stop spewing crap. Doesn't your hands and fingers ever smell nasty to you?
 
Back
Top