VRS Providers, Supporters Oppose NECA Rate Proposal

摘要

Video relay service providers and advocates for the hearing impaired are urging the FCC to ignore service rate cuts proposed by the National Exchange Carrier Association because they say the reduction in payment could result in a lower-quality service for the deaf. In comments filed with the FCC last month in Consumer & Governmental Affairs docket 03-123, several companies and groups said that the proposed 8% rate cut recommended by NECA at a time when the Commission is requiring service upgrades for VRS so companies can comply with new speed-of-answer rules and the allowing of consumers to call the interpreters of any provider could have a "chilling effect" on the industry that would be felt by those in the deaf community.