Does anyone still use TTY?

[CrazyPaul]

Jury service summon me for show up at court. I told them I don't have TTY device for need an interpreter as I don't pay telephone company. I use internet for videophone with Relay service. They excused me.

Really? They don't take VRS calls? Maybe I will try that next time.

 

[radioman]

Really? They don't take VRS calls? Maybe I will try that next time.

that just shows a lack of info - they probably excused you as they dont want to deal with it - or dont want to understand it.

 

[PowerON]

If FCC is unable to support and all VRS industry will either force you to pay service per month like normal telephone landline. Will you?

 

[purplecatty]

Keep in mind that if you travel not all areas have that service. It depends on who you get you cell service from and what level of service they offer where you happen to need it.

To illustrate where I live AT&T only offers 2G service (Edge) and there is an area about 25 miles from me that I do go to that they have NO SERVICE at all.

I have not kept up as well with T-Mobile and Sprint coverage here. I do know that they have some. But . . . the main provider in this area has been Verizon. They have extensive 3G coverage and are adding 4G. So, most in this area are with Verizon or a MVNO, such as Page Plus, that uses Verizon's towers.

I checked Sprint's 4G LTE coverage. I was surprised it's all over KC including my area. So Coverage area isn't my issue anymore once I get a new 4G LTE phone. MY current HTC Evo which have 4G but I have "donut hole" in my area which is way too stupid since I live in where 4G should be covered but strangely it's not where my subdivision is. IF I drive just 1/2 miles radius from my home, I get good 4G. It have nothing to do with terrian ect. I have Cellular tower just 1/4 mile from my house but still no 4G :roll: Now that 4GLTE from what I checked the coverage under Sprint covers all area so I would still get coverage where I would be at except for some rural or park area which are commonly have either poor or no coverage.

So I still don't need TTY at all and what's the use when 90% of deafie use VP. TTY = dump trash.

Catty

 

[Jane B.]

I checked Sprint's 4G LTE coverage. I was surprised it's all over KC including my area. So Coverage area isn't my issue anymore once I get a new 4G LTE phone. MY current HTC Evo which have 4G but I have "donut hole" in my area which is way too stupid since I live in where 4G should be covered but strangely it's not where my subdivision is. IF I drive just 1/2 miles radius from my home, I get good 4G. It have nothing to do with terrian ect. I have Cellular tower just 1/4 mile from my house but still no 4G :roll: Now that 4GLTE from what I checked the coverage under Sprint covers all area so I would still get coverage where I would be at except for some rural or park area which are commonly have either poor or no coverage.

So I still don't need TTY at all and what's the use when 90% of deafie use VP. TTY = dump trash.

Catty

Glad the service coverage area for 4G fits where you are and go.

Some of us do live in what you probably consider a rural area (my town is about 14,000) and can't go to another town or city without going through farming area.

"So I still don't need TTY at all and what's the use when 90% of deafie use VP. TTY = dump trash." What do you use to contact a business or someone who is not a "deafie" (I will never be a "deafie" as I hate the terms deafie and hearie) or rather deaf/HOH or hearing?

 

[purplecatty]

Glad the service coverage area for 4G fits where you are and go.

Some of us do live in what you probably consider a rural area (my town is about 14,000) and can't go to another town or city without going through farming area.

"So I still don't need TTY at all and what's the use when 90% of deafie use VP. TTY = dump trash." What do you use to contact a business or someone who is not a "deafie" (I will never be a "deafie" as I hate the terms deafie and hearie) or rather deaf/HOH or hearing?

You still can get around by using Text, Email, and Instant Messaging. Some company have Facebook that allow you to check out their FB and have FB chat. Some biz have live chat allow you to communicate with them.

Remember that today's Technologies leave companies no excuses for discriminate against Deaf/HOH.

One of my friend who live in tiny rural town of Mankato, KS and it's 15 blocks wide and 15 blocks long. He have 3 VPs (ZVRS, Sorenson, and Viable) and have fast computer with Webcam. He have no issue with that. He is well known and respected by population of 800 peoples. In matter of fact he's the only Deaf in this town. They relied his help and skills.

The fact is that we all Deaf/HOH are forerunners of VideoPhone. Soon that Hearing will have videophone commonplace within 5 to 10 years due to Fiber Optic network. IT would be so much easier to contact and VideoPhone will have software or app that allow OnScreen text messaging if you don't understand what being said on VP.

Got it??

So why bother TTY?? It's very useful back in 60's till 2004 and now at the verge of extinction.

CAtty

 

[Reba]

...So why bother TTY??

Internet service is not available to everyone. That's the most serious reason.

 

[purplecatty]

Internet service is not available to everyone. That's the most serious reason.

Yes, I am aware of it but there's a way around anyway. IF anyone have DSL, they still have landline and internet. ISP co is working on to spread out internet to Rural and some Citites that where area do not have internet. Their goal is to everyone have the internet whether it'll be small fees or free. Google wanted to have free Wifi across the cities but it base on FCC and City's decision.

I used to install Zphones and fix computers at customer's home. Vast majority of them have internet. I almost hardly see anyone who just have Landline and TTY (seriously, I did visit old couples in their 70's and 80's, they have internet with VP, No tty in their home). Only one of my old high school friend who do not have VP. He have TTY and have internet connection. I told him just get VP and he have different opinion on VP. HE just simply don't want to use it. I asked him WHY!!! He said Because..... :roll: Many of my friends and I been putting pressure on him until he snaps and told us to shut the hell up and leave me alone! :roll: I told him that TTY are obsolete and you need an upgrade! He now using Email, Text, and FB chat ect. His tty been collecting dust. He's kinda weird

If you are talking about unfortunate one who do not have any access to internet but have landline with TTY, They could get free internet connection with VP or donated computer with webcam.


I could understand there are few type of people have a weird opinion about VP which they don't want to use or have it in their house. It's their life and if they like to be a Technological Amish (One who rather stick with old nearly obsolete technology and refuse to go for newer updated Technology). That's fine and that's their problem. I don't mean to be tough or harsh.

 

[Jane B.]

So why bother TTY?? It's very useful back in 60's till 2004 and now at the verge of extinction.

CAtty

Internet service is not available to everyone. That's the most serious reason.

In addition to what Reba said I just find it convenient!

Turn on TTY, hit my redial key which connects me to the VCO line of the Illinois Relay service, voice the number I want with regular phone that is chained together with the TTY and we are off and running.

My friends know to dial 711 when they want to call me. My account with the Relay is set up to have VCO ready (although some CAs miss this and it has to be requested as the call starts).

The fact that I have talked my entire life may well be a factor in how well I like this.

 

[Jane B.]

If you are talking about unfortunate one who do not have any access to internet but have landline with TTY, They could get free internet connection with VP or donated computer with webcam.

As Reba has said in many postings it is not just a matter of paying for the service. There are areas that have a landline (POTS) but it is too far from the telephone company facilities for DSL and they are also so rural that they do not have cable to get highspeed internet that way!

 

[purplecatty]

In addition to what Reba said I just find it convenient!

Turn on TTY, hit my redial key which connects me to the VCO line of the Illinois Relay service, voice the number I want with regular phone that is chained together with the TTY and we are off and running.

My friends know to dial 711 when they want to call me. My account with the Relay is set up to have VCO ready (although some CAs miss this and it has to be requested as the call starts).

The fact that I have talked my entire life may well be a factor in how well I like this.

I see, I never use VCO on TTY, I use VCO on VP sometime whenever I wears my CI and want to talk to person directly without being hung up due to VRS Operator's announce ( 2nd try, I told them not to announce and it works like charm every time ) I saw newer VCO machine that do not have keyboard and allow you to call TRS and you talks, they types.

Catty

 

[CrazyPaul]

that just shows a lack of info - they probably excused you as they dont want to deal with it - or dont want to understand it.

Were you replying to me or Evo Dragon?

Anyway I have been to a jury duty once. I used my TTY to schedule an appt for an interpreter service. Several times they cancelled or postponed it because the interpreters were not available at those times. Then finally they had an interpreter available for me so when I showed up at jury assembly room, there were two interpreters present. I had fun talking with them for hours and hours in that room. Average court time was 15-30 minutes per day for three days. That was it. I went home half day everytime. My employer, USPS paid me in full.

Anyhow, I am surprised that Evo Dragon was excused because he/she didn't have a TTY. That's an interesting excuse. That's the first time I have heard. Maybe the court in his hometown doesn't accept VRS calls to schedule an appt for interpreting service.

 

[Reba]

Yes, I am aware of it but there's a way around anyway. IF anyone have DSL, they still have landline and internet. ISP co is working on to spread out internet to Rural and some Citites that where area do not have internet. Their goal is to everyone have the internet whether it'll be small fees or free. Google wanted to have free Wifi across the cities but it base on FCC and City's decision.

That's a wonderful goal but right now that isn't happening.

If you are talking about unfortunate one who do not have any access to internet but have landline with TTY, They could get free internet connection with VP or donated computer with webcam.

If they could, they would. But they cannot. It's not available.

There are people who would donate the equipment but there is still no service available. A computer or VP with no internet connection isn't useful for communication.

I could understand there are few type of people have a weird opinion about VP which they don't want to use or have it in their house....

That's not the situation with my friends. They would LOVE to have VP/VRS access.

 

[Reba]

As Reba has said in many postings it is not just a matter of paying for the service. There are areas that have a landline (POTS) but it is too far from the telephone company facilities for DSL and they are also so rural that they do not have cable to get highspeed internet that way!

Sadly, it's true. Cable companies aren't going to spend the money to put in miles of cable for half a dozen families living on country land for multiple generations.

 

[Reba]

Just as America had an electrification program for rural citizens in last century, they may have to establish such a program for such citizens for closing the digital divide. In our area, that's the only way the rural areas got electricity. We still have electrical co-ops where the residents are dividend receiving members, not customers. When we lived in Goose Creek, we were members of the Bekeley (County) Electric Co-op.

The digital divide is a reality.

 

[CrazyPaul]

Sadly, it's true. Cable companies aren't going to spend the money to put in miles of cable for half a dozen families living on country land for multiple generations.

What about satellite services? I heard that it can be used for VP calls.

 

[purplecatty]

What about satellite services? I heard that it can be used for VP calls.

Satellite can be used. Problem is the speed itself isn't enough for certain VP products that demands High Definition. It runs just like basic DSL. If you want to use VP, be sure that no other are using internet so you can have all the speed just for smooth VP. Skype, and other VideoChat software would works just fine as well as software base VP.

I spoke with one VRS co about Satellite connection for VP. They told me that only few non-HD VP product would works but not the HD Vp which will eat up lot of signals. They refused to sell one to those who owns Satellite internet.

I checked through and I can see the maximum speed 3mpbs download and 1 mpbs upload. It's more than enough for basic VP products. Internet phone that you can use for VoIP for TTY VCO would work just fine.

Rural High Speed Internet | Broadband Q Wireless

Catty

 

[purplecatty]

Sadly, it's true. Cable companies aren't going to spend the money to put in miles of cable for half a dozen families living on country land for multiple generations.

First of all, yes $$$ is their issue and secondly, Regulations (FCC, Federal, States, or County) do prevent them from providing service. That was an issue.

IMHO, Cable co are just wasting their time talking and debating while they have trunk line runs across Rural area to another City. That's ironic!! Can't they split Trunk line to Rural?? Some Cable co have transponder or Microwave tower crosses the area to save money not to lay trunk line across Rural area.

Basically, Cable Co are just being greedy. if CEO made millions, why can they just donate some of their millions for Rural and use it as Tax deductable??

Catty

 

[purplecatty]

That's a wonderful goal but right now that isn't happening.

Regulations slows them down. Sometime just for some really stupid reasons. Cable co =

If they could, they would. But they cannot. It's not available.

There are people who would donate the equipment but there is still no service available. A computer or VP with no internet connection isn't useful for communication.

I've seen the problem even in inner Cities. Crimes, City Ordinance or Property Manager sometime prevents ISP providing service in the area.

Google is trying to establish free WiFi for everyone in poor area. I admit I don't know what's going on with Google because they had been talking about it for 3 years even in Kansas City, KS area. Either that they realized that people downloads pirated music, movies, porns, or illegal software that can land Google hot water by MPAA, RIAA or Legal Movers and Shakers.

That's not the situation with my friends. They would LOVE to have VP/VRS access.

IF they love to have VP/VRS then move their ass. There are plenty variety of VRS out there and take few steps to register and download apps or software and use it or sign up for free equiptments.

I am saying that some of deafie have very weird opinion about VP which they don't like or won't admit why ( They just say because......... Umm.... then change topic or walks away... Me or my friend ---> :roll: ). They think VP can snoop their privacy, VP can encourage misunderstanding with each other ect.. some sort of their figment of imaginations running in their head.. Some just simply don't want to just for no reason and I pounded their head with "nails" and it just won't get through their head at all (I wasn't alone on this, many other friends of mine did exactly the same even we teamed up to pound it through their head and they snapped on us ). It's really sad but It's not my problem. Let them face problem or runs into dead end and complain they have no more friends becasue everyone don't contact them anymore. :roll:

Catty

 

[PowerON]

What about satellite services? I heard that it can be used for VP calls.

Satellite have the poor upload speed. It's like dial-up.