Thread Subject: Re: VoIP enabled cell phones

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From: Pam Ransom
Date: Tue, Dec 19 2006 1:50 PM

David - There is always a challenge of working on two completely different
laws in one "refresh', and keeping the parameters of the two different laws
separate.

Speaking only about Section 255 of the Telecom Act - VoIP is not covered. In
fact the FCC's 255 Report and Order included a Further Notice of Inquiry
asking whether VoIP should be covered by 255 - and since that time (1999)
the FCC hasn't taken any action on that Further Notice of Inquiry.

Our subcommittee can certainly discuss and make suggestions about VoIP in
the 255 context, however the Advisory Subcommittee doesn't have the
authority to determine that VoIP is covered by 255, only the FCC has that
authority.

Pam Ransom


----- Original Message -----
From: "Baquis David " < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = >
To: < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = >
Sent: Friday, December 15, 2006 3:42 PM
Subject: [teitac-telecom] VoIP enabled cell phones


> I received a technical assistance inquiry today from someone who asked
> if there are TTY-accessible VoIP (Voice of Internet Protocol) enabled
> cell phones.
>
> Beyond my days in the TTY Forum, I was uncertain if there are new
> wireless VoIP accessibility barriers that I might not be aware of.
> Perhaps the wireless industry can offer expert input on this. I would
> need a basic primer as to how a regular digital cell phone differs from
> a VoIP cell phone.
>
> Related to that, I wonder if the subcommittee has considered
> recommending whether VoIP should be addressed *explicitly* in the
> refresh. We get that yes/no question about whether VoIP products are
> covered. We have people who specifically look for the term, VoIP, in
> the standards.
>
> Perhaps you can address this point specifically, in your upcoming status
> report to the plenary about your subcommittee discussions. Some people
> are of the opinion that the standards apply to telecom functionality and
> that it should not matter whether a phone is analog, digital or VoIP -
> that they are all covered. On the other hand, others are uneasy about
> appearing to preempt the FCC by saying VoIP products are telecom covered
> by accessibility regulations, before they say so. We cut VoIP out of
> the current published telecom technical assistance for that reason. The
> flip side of this question is how would you feel about refreshed
> standards that said absolutely nothing about VoIP. I can tell you that
> it would not serve the needs of federal customers who want clarity on
> that subject of how to know with confidence that the new VoIP system
> they want to buy is fully accessible.
>
> David Baquis
> Accessibility Specialist
> U.S. Access Board
> 1331 F Street, NW, #1000
> Washington, DC 20004
> 800-USA-ABLE; (202) 272-0013 (voice)
> www.access-board.gov; = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED =
>
>

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