711

The Federal Communications Commission recently established a ruling that requires national access to Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) through the '711' number. Just as '911' has become a standard emergency number, '711' will become a standard number for accessing the relay system, which enables people with hearing loss using a text telephone (TTY or TDD) to conduct conversations with hearing people using a voice phone.

The ruling is another step in the march to provide equal access to people with hearing loss. Many hearing people are unaware of the existence of the relay; others know of it, but don't contact people with hearing loss because they can't remember the phone number and don't know where to easily find it. As the '711' number becomes more universal, people will be more aware of it and of the relay system in general.

Is it too much to hope that this awareness will increase to the point that hearing recipients of a relay call will stop mistaking them for telemarketing calls and hanging up?

The requirement to implement 711 dialing to an appropriate provider of TRS covers all telecommunications carriers in the United States, including wireline, Commercial Mobile Radio Services, and payphone providers. The Commission's rule also encourages all PBX suppliers to configure their systems for 711 access to TRS. Several states (and Canada) have already demonstrated the technical feasibility, economic viability, and consumer benefits of 711 access to TRS.

The ruling requires the conversion to the '711' number within a year, and also requires that the relay providers publicize the '711' number.

For additional information, contact:
Staci L. Pies of the Common Carrier Bureau at 202-418-2320 (V); 202-418-0484 (TTY), or
Karen Peltz Strauss of the Consumer Information Bureau at: 202-418-1400 (V); 202-418-2520 (TTY)