The Competitive Carrier Association (CCA) is asking the FCC to issue a declaratory ruling confirming that it is not “achievable or readily achievable to provide IP-based LTE and Wi-Fi-based mobile wireless services that are compatible with a text telephone (TTY), the kind of device used by the deaf.
In a statement, CCA said it supports the FCC’s work to ensure mobile devices are accessible to people that are blind or deaf, or have other communication disabilities. That said, as transmission of TTY over IP-based wireless networks is currently impossible, CCA argues that deployment of IP-based LTE and Wi-Fi-based wireless services should not require a waiver like the one AT&T and Verizon just acquired.
CCA President & CEO Steven K. Berry said in a statement that mandating unachievable scenarios or unavailable technologies will only delay development and deployment of new technologies.
“This is particularly troubling for smaller carriers, many of whom already have limited resources. Given the fact that transmitting TTY over IP-based wireless networks is currently unattainable and usage of mobile TTY is negligible, it only makes sense for the FCC to issue a declaratory ruling,” Berry wrote.
Berry also noted that CCA members are working to develop and implement Real-TimeText or other IP-based text alternatives to address the issue.
“And additionally, as the migration to LTE continues, we will only see a further decline of TTY,” Berry argued. “I strongly urge the FCC to issue a declaratory ruling and to initiate a rulemaking to explore modernization of the TTY requirements.”
Filed Under: Industry regulations