PUBLIC NOTICE
Federal Communications Commission
445 12th St., S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20554
News Media Information 202 / 418-0500
Internet: http://www.fcc.gov
TTY: 1-888-835-5322
DA 08-2514
Released:  November 14, 2008
NOTICE OF CERTIFICATION OF GOAMERICA, INC., AS A PROVIDER OF INTERNET 
PROTOCOL CAPTIONING TELEPHONE SERVICE (IP CTS) ELIGIBLE FOR 
COMPENSATION FROM THE INTERSTATE TELECOMMUNICATIONS RELAY SERVICE 
(TRS) FUND
CG DOCKET NO. 03-123
By the Chief, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau:
On May 1, 2008, GoAmerica, Inc. (GoAmerica) filed an application for certification1 as a 
provider of Internet Protocol Captioning Telephone Service (IP CTS) eligible for compensation from the 
Interstate Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) Fund (Fund)2 pursuant to the TRS provider 
certification rules.3 GoAmerica’s application is granted.  
On January 11, 2007, the Commission released the IP CTS Declaratory Ruling, which recognized 
IP CTS as a form of TRS eligible for compensation from the Fund.4 In the IP CTS Declaratory Ruling, 
the Commission also stated that common carriers desiring to offer IP CTS may become eligible to receive 
compensation from the Fund by seeking certification from the Commission pursuant to the TRS provider 
certification rules.5 Under these rules, a provider seeking certification must submit documentation to the 
Commission setting forth, in narrative form: 
  
1 GoAmerica, Application by GoAmerica, Inc. for Amendment of Its Telecommunications Relay Services 
Certification to Include Certification as a Provider of IP Captioned Telephone Service, CG Docket No. 03-123 
(May 1, 2008) (GoAmerica Application).
2 TRS, created by Title IV of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), enables an individual with a 
hearing or speech disability to communicate by telephone or other device through the telephone system with a 
person without such a disability.  See 47 U.S.C. § 225(a)(3) (defining TRS); 47 C.F.R. § 64.601(21).  Eligible 
providers receive compensation from the Interstate TRS Fund for the provision of various forms of TRS, including 
IP CTS.  See 47 C.F.R. § 64.604(c)(5)(iii).    
3 See Telecommunications Relay Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities, Report and Order 
and Order on Reconsideration, CG Docket No. 03-123, 20 FCC Rcd 20577 (Dec. 12, 2005) (TRS Provider 
Certification Order); 47 C.F.R. § 64.606 (formerly 47 C.F.R. § 64.605).  
4 See Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech 
Disabilities; Internet-based Captioned Telephone Service, CG Docket No. 03-123, Declaratory Ruling, 22 FCC Rcd 
379 (Jan. 11, 2007) (IP CTS Declaratory Ruling).  IP CTS is a form of captioned telephone service that transmits the 
captions between the relay provider and the user via the Internet, rather than the Public Switched Telephone 
Network (PSTN).  
5 Id., 22 FCC Rcd at 390-91, paras. 27-28; see 47 C.F.R. § 64.606.
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(i) A description of the forms of TRS to be provided …; (ii) A description of how the 
provider will meet all non-waived mandatory minimum standards applicable to each form 
of TRS offered; (iii) A description of the provider’s procedures for ensuring compliance 
with all applicable TRS rules; (iv) A description of the provider’s complaint procedures; 
(v) A narrative describing any areas in which the provider’s service will differ from the 
applicable mandatory minimum standards; (vi) A narrative establishing that services that 
differ from the mandatory minimum standards do not violate applicable mandatory 
minimum standards; (vii) Demonstration of status as a common carrier; and (viii) A 
statement that the provider will file annual compliance reports demonstrating continued 
compliance with these rules.[6] 
The rules further provide that after review of the submitted documentation, the Commission shall 
certify that the provider is eligible for compensation from the Fund if the Commission determines that the 
certification documentation:
(i) Establishes that the provision of [service] will meet or exceed all non-waived 
operational, technical, and functional minimum standards contained in § 64.604; 
(ii) Establishes that the ... provider makes available adequate procedures and remedies for 
ensuring compliance with the requirements of this section and the mandatory minimum 
standards contained in § 64.604, including that it makes available for TRS users 
informational materials on complaint procedures sufficient for users to know the proper 
procedures for filing complaints; and
(iii) Where the TRS service differs from the mandatory minimum standards contained in 
§ 64.604, the ... provider establishes that its service does not violate applicable mandatory 
minimum standards.[7]
We have reviewed the GoAmerica Application pursuant to these rules.  We conclude that 
GoAmerica has sufficiently demonstrated that its provision of IP CTS will meet or exceed all operational, 
technical, and functional TRS standards set forth in the Commission’s rules, 47 C.F.R. § 64.604; that it 
makes available adequate procedures and remedies for ensuring compliance with applicable Commission 
rules; and that to the extent GoAmerica’s service differs from the mandatory minimum standards, the 
service does not violate the rules.  
We grant GoAmerica’s application subject to compliance with applicable TRS rules.8 This 
certification shall remain in effect for a period of five years from the release date of this Public Notice.9  
Within ninety days prior to the expiration of this certification, GoAmerica may apply for renewal of its IP 
CTS provider certification by filing documentation in accordance with the Commission's rules.10
  
6 47 C.F.R. § 64.606(a)(2)(i)-(viii).
7 47 C.F.R. § 64.606(b)(2)(i)-(iii).
8 See 47 C.F.R. § 64.606(e)(2) (Commission may require certified providers to submit documentation demonstrating 
compliance with the mandatory minimum standards).  Also, GoAmerica must file an annual report with the 
Commission documenting that they are in compliance with Section 64.604.  47 C.F.R. § 64.606(g).  The first such 
report shall be due one year after the release date of this Public Notice, and subsequent reports shall be due each 
year thereafter.
9 See 47 C.F.R. § 64.606(c)(2).
10 See id.
3
A copy of GoAmerica’s application is available for public inspection and copying during regular 
business hours at the FCC Reference Information Center, Portals II, 445 12th Street, SW., Suite CY-A257, 
Washington, D.C. 20554, (202) 418-0270.  The full text of this Public Notice is similarly available for 
public inspection or copying.  These documents may also be purchased from the Commission’s duplicating 
contractor, Best Copy and Printing, Inc. (BCPI), Portals II, 445 12th Street, SW., Room CY-B402, 
Washington, D.C. 20554.  Customers may contact BCPI at their web site: www.bcpiweb.com or by calling 
1-800-378-3160.  A copy of GoAmerica’s application may also be found by searching on the 
Commission's Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS) at http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/ecfs (insert CG 
Docket No. 03-123 into the Proceeding block).
To request materials in accessible formats for people with disabilities (Braille, large print, 
electronic files, audio format), send an e-mail to fcc504@fcc.gov or call the Consumer & Governmental 
Affairs Bureau at (202) 418-0530 (voice), (202) 418-0432 (TTY).  This Public Notice can also be 
downloaded in Word or Portable Document Format (PDF) at: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/dro. 
For further information, please contact Gregory Hlibok, Consumer & Governmental Affairs 
Bureau, Disability Rights Office, at (800) 311-4381 (voice), (202) 418-0431 (TTY), or e-mail at 
Gregory.Hlibok@fcc.gov.  
-FCC-