Proposed VRS Rates - Reasonable or destructive

Video Relay Services (VRS) is a popular form of Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) which) allows deaf people whose first language is American Sign Language (ASL) to communicate through a video interpreter / Communications Assistant (CIRCA

The deaf person uses videoconferencing equipment, a video phone or a computer and webcam to sign the CA via the Internet, then cast the message to a hearing person using a regular telephone to answerthe CA, who then signed the caller hearing.

The VRS program is managed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for "equivalent" of communication for the deaf that the phone system standard.

Deaf VRS interpreters are employed by service providers of conversations between deaf and hearing impaired callers to interpret.

The fees collected for any fixed line and mobile telephony in the United States to go to a fund that VRS TRS providers avoid unnecessaryminutes of interpretation - currently more than six dollars a minute.

The National Exchange Carriers Association (NECA) has a new tariff proposal for the FCC, which would significantly reduce the VRS, especially the dominant provider - SorensonVRS.

SorensonVRS has an image / video signed claim the new rates, if adopted, will destroy the VRS consumers and in the absence of VRS service.

According to Sorenson, the rates proposedwill lead to:

1. longer waiting

2. fewer interpreters

3. reduced R & D "functionally equivalent" technology for the deaf

4. failure for a number of VRS service, including Sorenson

Hysteria?

Probably. But I can understand that the new tariffs Sorenson would cost millions of dollars a month, and probably cause them to lose market share.

equipment suppliers VRS to deaf people who use their pre-programmed toservice. Unless the deaf caller to make manual changes are made all the calls routed through the provider who gave you the equipment.

(Federal law prohibits a free receiver unit to a specific service, but most do anyway.)

A $ 6 + per minute (current prices), the VRS companies can recover their marketing and public relations fees quickly.

Proposed rate: Reasonable or destructive?

If the 800 pounds gorilla in the phone VRS chest, II guess the bureaucrats bend a little 'and the increase in rates after the deadline for public debate is over.

Although I can not access Sorenson finances, it is hard to believe that lower rates will lead to bankruptcy. Even the lowest rates offered to $ 233 per hour.

As the cost of technology and the bandwidth decrease each year, it is difficult to imagine that a VRS provider can not make a profit, while paying a decent wage for certified ASL interpreters.

Whatwill probably happen is that smaller suppliers will innovate and very satisfied with the rates of RSV. Sorenson If you can not maintain the current level of "superior service and advanced features," as she says in her video message, and you could lose market share to small, lean hungry for business.

Conclusion:

Lower rates hurt the leading suppliers of temporary support until the dust settles. Free equipment for deaf people may be reduced or eliminatedfor service providers looking to reduce costs.

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