Save TTY, VRS and Relay Services From Govt Funding CUTS !

[Y]

I have no idea if you already got a postcard about this or not ?

I am copying this from the postcard:

The Government is considering cutting the
budgeting for relay services. Additionally they are
reviewing a proposal to eliminate outreach funding,
which is the way that Deaf individuals learn about
relay options.

Here is what this will mean to you:
1) Fewer new interpreters
2) Insufficent interpreter training
3) Slower improvements in hold times

As a member of the deaf community, you know how
important these relay communications services are
you depened on them everyday for work or home.

Help Stop the Proposed Cuts!
1) Be Heard - Fill out and mail the postcard attached today !
It wiill go directly to the Federal Communications Commission
2) Stay Informed (Visit http://www.vrsca.org and
click on "Latest VRS Issue)

3) Respond Today - Get your friends and family members to
take action today and contact the FCC.

If you NEVER receive a postcard, then you can copy
an example (see below) and use a regular postal mail to:

Chairman Kevin Martin
Federal Communications Commission
PO Box 15477
Washington DC 20078-0836

To: Chairman Martin;
Commissioners Tate, Copps and Adelstein

I am a Deaf user of relay communications services.
I strongly urge you to increase funding for these
services and NOT cut funding. These services are
important to me and to other Deaf individuals,
our families and co-workers. Cuts would be
devastating. I want more Deaf people to
use TTY, VRS, and IP Relay, not less.

Print Your Name ______________

 

[diehardbiker]

I understand and just read the newspaper about financial issues within FCC. As of right now, we all know that landline phone has been declined and that there is explosion of Cell phone users, and VOIP (Voice over IP) where there is no USF (Universal Service Fund). If some of you still use Landline phone, look in the bill "USF" it is like tax to FCC. What I see is that FCC is standing to lose millions of dollars in revenue. FCC is trying to figure out how to collect the USF without breaking any regulations. These regulations were in place long long long time ago, and nobody ever think of technologies would change that fast like in the past 20 years. The only way FCC can continue to fund for all of us deafies is to extend USF collections to these service provider who offers long distance. But the problem is that these long distance usage is actually unlimited, how to figure out USF amount? That is another problem that FCC is also facing, USF is based on long distance usage as per in regulation.
I really don't know the solution, only that congressmen can do something about it. Without any action from congressmen, FCC is basically STUCK, and force to cut the spending eventually somehow.

I personally hope that these service won't be cut off!

 

[Cousin Vinny]

I understand and just read the newspaper about financial issues within FCC. As of right now, we all know that landline phone has been declined and that there is explosion of Cell phone users, and VOIP (Voice over IP) where there is no USF (Universal Service Fund).

This is an interesting take on things, that I haven't considered. Perhaps Congress will revisit the issue, and start taxing VoIP/Cell phone users, if they aren't already taxed.

That all said, there are *millions* of land-line users, and yes, it is a shrinking pool. I'd hate to invest in a traditional telco nowadays. So, there's plenty of funding, and I'm wondering why FCC is even thinking about cutting funds to various relay services.

 

[Mookie]

DHB, you are probably precise.

We may need to write a formal letters to our Congress and FCC Chairperson and Commissioners to keep the VRS competitors alive.

I wonder if we may able to persuade FCC to add federal tax on VOIP. I notice that VOIP services are getting away from the any type of tax, such as 911. We probably tell Congress not to help the callers via VOIP and air (cellphones) calls for the big emergencies at 911 since the buckdodgers are trying to avoid any additional tax.

I know that it is not fair for landline consumers to pay extra service costs and extra taxes while the air services acquire lots of benefits.

I found a good article: Is it time to cut your landline for good?

• The number of cellphones in the United States had surpassed the number of landlines - 181.1 million cellphones versus 177.9 million landlines.

• Landlines don't have batteries that run out and never need to be recharged in the middle of a call (unless you're using a cordless phone).

• The way most landline agreements work, it's pretty hard to "go over your minutes" and get billed extra. Some users find their cellphones have poor reception.

• “Most cellphones don't have GPS [Global Positioning], so 911 operators can't pinpoint the location of the caller" if there is a medical emergency, Grier wrote. "With landline phones, however, the 911 operator receives the exact address of the caller automatically."

• Respondents in the Harris Interactive Poll also cited two other reasons for not switching to mobile phones only: the need for Internet access (high speed DSL service or dial-up) and lack of plans with good pricing.

• Families will probably want to have at least one landline in their homes for the safety reason mentioned above.

• If you make a lot of international calls (as I do), in most cases you receive a much better rate on a landline.

• Even people who only use cellphones for voice conversations might get a basic landline for Internet access or as a fax line. But even if you want a landline, there is an increasingly common way to get that line - Voice over Internet (VoIP).

In future, there would not have any landline anymore on our ground. That’s right since the technology has improved quickly. Look what happened to Pony Express business and Western Union….

 

[Nesmuth]

Sorenson's the only one thats going to hurt the most from the cuts. So thats why theyre screaming murder. There are other things they can try like cutting the extra administration baggage, automate some of their internal components, and even outsource their operations.

The vrsca.org is a 100% Sorenson front. Theres nothing on their website from other orgs. I dont see any screaming of this kind from HOVRS, CSDVRS, Hamilton, Sprint, ATT, MCI, not even NAD.

Richard

 

[Mookie]

The vrsca.org is a 100% Sorenson front. Theres nothing on their website from other orgs. I dont see any screaming of this kind from HOVRS, CSDVRS, Hamilton, Sprint, ATT, MCI, not even NAD.

Richard

Did you overlook that one?
http://www.vrsca.org/comments.php

Nesmuth, I agree with you that Sorenson VRS easily supports VRSCA.ORG....

 

[ideafspy]

Sorenson's the only one thats going to hurt the most from the cuts. So thats why theyre screaming murder. There are other things they can try like cutting the extra administration baggage, automate some of their internal components, and even outsource their operations.

The vrsca.org is a 100% Sorenson front. Theres nothing on their website from other orgs. I dont see any screaming of this kind from HOVRS, CSDVRS, Hamilton, Sprint, ATT, MCI, not even NAD.

Richard

Are you just pointing Sorenson scream for help???

 

[Nesmuth]

Did you overlook that one?
http://www.vrsca.org/comments.php

Nesmuth, I agree with you that Sorenson VRS easily supports VRSCA.ORG....

Thanks for the link but I dont see any screaming from the other orgs on there either. Just weak whimpers.

Richard

 

[Dennis S.]

Sorenson's the only one thats going to hurt the most from the cuts. So thats why theyre screaming murder. There are other things they can try like cutting the extra administration baggage, automate some of their internal components, and even outsource their operations.

The vrsca.org is a 100% Sorenson front. Theres nothing on their website from other orgs. I dont see any screaming of this kind from HOVRS, CSDVRS, Hamilton, Sprint, ATT, MCI, not even NAD.

Richard

I agree that VRSCA is being supported by one provider. All the VRSCA news releases on the site are from Salt Lake City, Utah, and all pictures of their VRS models use the VP-100.

However, I might want to point out that there are other providers who have submitted comments to the FCC stating that the rate cuts were unfair, but mostly comments like NECA just arbitrarily stated that certain costs that were always allowed in the past excluded by them this time without any warning. However, no screaming, no mailings, no lobbying, etc. that I've seen, except by Sorenson.

 

[ideafspy]

I agree that VRSCA is being supported by one provider. All the VRSCA news releases on the site are from Salt Lake City, Utah, and all pictures of their VRS models use the VP-100.

However, I might want to point out that there are other providers who have submitted comments to the FCC stating that the rate cuts were unfair, but mostly comments like NECA just arbitrarily stated that certain costs that were always allowed in the past excluded by them this time without any warning. However, no screaming, no mailings, no lobbying, etc. that I've seen, except by Sorenson.

I have notice that CSDVRS is using VP-100????

 

[Dennis S.]

I have notice that CSDVRS is using VP-100????

How can they? The only company that can use VP-100s is Sorenson, at least until July 1st. VRSCA has been "around" since 2004, which was after Sorenson blocked all providers from accessing their VRS service. They've had those pictures up since that time.

 

[ideafspy]

How can they? The only company that can use VP-100s is Sorenson, at least until July 1st. VRSCA has been "around" since 2004, which was after Sorenson blocked all providers from accessing their VRS service. They've had those pictures up since that time.

Yes, they have same Sorenson VP-100 style and black box but looks like they cover VP-100 logo.

Its on CSDVRS website that Jeff or what his name name?

Its explain how to use CSDVRS.com and input the number that will allow incoming call by your request..

 

[Y]

Yes, they have same Sorenson VP-100 style and black box but looks like they cover VP-100 logo.

Its on CSDVRS website that Jeff or what his name name?

Its explain how to use CSDVRS.com and input the number that will allow incoming call by your request..

????