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State regulators make plans to continue telephone service for deaf Floridians
The Florida Public Service Commission today moved ahead with a plan to continue to provide a telecommunications relay system serving the deaf and others with special needs in Florida.
A request for proposals will be issued no later than May 2, and bidders are invited to submit proposals to the PSC by July 6.
A contract with Sprint, the current provider provider of Florida's Relay Service, expires next year. The service provides access to basic telecommunications services for more than 3 million Floridians who are deaf, hard-of-hearing or speech-impaired.
Several companies have expressed an interest in providing the service. They include AT&T Services, Inc.; Hamilton Telephone Company; Healinc, LLC d/b/a Lifelinks, LLC; Sorenson Communications, Inc.; Sprint; and Stellar-Relay Division. A contract is expected to be signed in September, and the selected provider's system operational by June 1, 2012.
Florida Telecommunications Relay, a non-profit corporation, administers the statewide relay system. Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, the system facilitates telephone calls between people with hearing loss or speech disabilities and other individuals by using special equipment and a communications assistance operator.
A monthly surcharge of up to 25 cents per landline funds the distribution of specialized telecommunications devices and interstate relay service.
For information on how to obtain the special equipment, call FTRI at (800) 222-3448 (voice) or (888) 447-5620 (text telephone/TTY) or visit FTRI - Home
The Florida Public Service Commission today moved ahead with a plan to continue to provide a telecommunications relay system serving the deaf and others with special needs in Florida.
A request for proposals will be issued no later than May 2, and bidders are invited to submit proposals to the PSC by July 6.
A contract with Sprint, the current provider provider of Florida's Relay Service, expires next year. The service provides access to basic telecommunications services for more than 3 million Floridians who are deaf, hard-of-hearing or speech-impaired.
Several companies have expressed an interest in providing the service. They include AT&T Services, Inc.; Hamilton Telephone Company; Healinc, LLC d/b/a Lifelinks, LLC; Sorenson Communications, Inc.; Sprint; and Stellar-Relay Division. A contract is expected to be signed in September, and the selected provider's system operational by June 1, 2012.
Florida Telecommunications Relay, a non-profit corporation, administers the statewide relay system. Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, the system facilitates telephone calls between people with hearing loss or speech disabilities and other individuals by using special equipment and a communications assistance operator.
A monthly surcharge of up to 25 cents per landline funds the distribution of specialized telecommunications devices and interstate relay service.
For information on how to obtain the special equipment, call FTRI at (800) 222-3448 (voice) or (888) 447-5620 (text telephone/TTY) or visit FTRI - Home