For release: 5-1-07
Sorenson Communications Urges Fair and Predictable Rate for VRS
SALT LAKE CITY (May 1, 2007)—Today, the National Exchange Carrier Association (NECA), filed a report with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on
proposed rates for Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS), which include Video
Relay Service (VRS), TTY, IP Relay, and Speech-to-Speech (STS). NECA failed to
recommend any rate for VRS, but, instead, listed various rates based on data supplied
to NECA by the VRS providers.
“Everyone involved in providing and using Video Relay Service has been urging the FCC
for a year to come up with a fair and predictable rate and rate methodology for VRS,”
said Pat Nola, president and CEO of Sorenson Communications. Unfortunately, this
report by NECA, which fails to recommend any rate, is a step in the opposite direction,
adding more uncertainty and complexity to the process.”
The FCC is required to establish a rate for all TRS services by July 1, 2007, for the
2007-2008 rate year, which begins July 1. In the past, NECA has recommended a rate
which was the starting point for the FCC’s deliberations. Last year, the FCC did not
adopt the proposed NECA rate, but, instead, froze the existing rate and suggested an
overhaul of the existing rate process.
Ron Burdett, vice president of community relations for Sorenson Communications, said, “Only a small percentage of the deaf community has access to VRS. At Sorenson we
have been trying to reach out to the many deaf individuals who don’t know about VRS to
demonstrate how this communication service can enhance their lives. But this annual
struggle over the rate for VRS—and the uncertainty it brings—makes it impossible to
invest in and plan how to offer the best quality VRS service to as many deaf people as
possible.”
About Sorenson Communications
Sorenson CommunicationsTM (www.sorenson.com) is a provider of industry-leading
communication offerings, including Sorenson Video Relay Service (Sorenson VRS®), the
company’s line of videophones, Sorenson IP RelayTM (SIPRelay), and Sorenson Video
Remote InterpretingTM (VRI). Sorenson VRS (www.sorensonvrs.com) enables deaf and
hard-of-hearing callers who use American Sign Language (ASL) to communicate to
conduct video relay conversations with hearing friends, business colleagues, and family
members through a qualified ASL interpreter. Sorenson Communications was the first
company to offer a videophone appliance specifically designed for deaf individuals.
Sorenson IP Relay (www.siprelay.com) allows deaf and hard-of-hearing users to place
instant, text-based relay calls from a PC or mobile device to any telephone user.
Sorenson VRI (www.sorensonvri.com) is a fee-based video interpreting service ideal for
use in situations where an interpreter cannot be physically present to interpret between
hearing and deaf individuals who are at the same location.
Press Contacts
Diana Lewis
VP of Marketing
801.287.9400
diana@sorenson.com
or
Ann Bardsley
Sr. Public Relations Manager
801.287.9897
abardsley@sorenson.com
© 2007 Sorenson Communications. All products and brand names are trademarks or
registered trademarks of their respective owners.
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