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NECA Files Annual TRS Fund Requirements
Whippany, NJ - May 3, 2004 – The National Exchange Carrier Association (NECA) has submitted to the FCC the proposed new provider reimbursement rates, funding requirements, and carrier contribution factor for the Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) Fund. TRS enables individuals with hearing and speech disabilities who use specialized equipment to make telephone calls to people who use standard telephones. This filing proposes funding for TRS for the period beginning on July 1, 2004 and ending on June 30, 2005.
NECA is recommending a total fund requirement of $289.3 million, a $119 million increase from the current fund. A carrier contribution factor of 0.00356 on 2003 interstate and international revenues is being proposed. NECA has developed this recommendation based on the cost and demand projections from the providers for each of the TRS services.
NECA has recommended an increase in the size of the fund, based primarily on continuing significant demand for Internet Protocol (IP) relay service and Video Relay Service (VRS). VRS allows people who use sign language to communicate with the relay center using sign language through video equipment. Users of IP relay access the service by computer via the Internet, replacing the use of a text telephone.
In its filing, NECA has proposed reimbursement rates of $1.349 per completed interstate minute of use for traditional TRS and all completed IP minutes, and $1.440 per completed interstate minute of use for Speech-to-Speech (STS) service. NECA proposes a reimbursement rate of $7.293 for all completed minutes of VRS.
The FCC appointed NECA the TRS Fund administrator in 1993 when the fund was established. NECA was re-appointed in 1995 and 1999.
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