PUBLIC NOTICE Federal Communications Commission ion 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 11-1795 Released: October 26, 2011 CONSUMER AND GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS BUREAU EXTENDS EXPIRING CERTIFICATIONS FOR CERTAIN PROVIDERS OF VIDEO RELAY SERVICE AND IP RELAY SERVICE CG Docket Nos. 03-123 and 10-51 By this Public Notice, the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau (Bureau) hereby further extends, through January 4, 2012, the certification period for providers of Video Relay Service and IP Relay Service with certifications that are scheduled to expire on November 4, 2011.1 The Bureau previously extended the certification period for affected providers until that date to maintain the status quo while the Commission considered reform of the certification process proposed in the Certification FNPRM.2 On July 28, 2011, the Commission released an Order modifying the certification process and requiring providers with certifications scheduled to expire on November 4, 2011 to submit applications for recertification under the revised requirements after those requirements had become effective, but no later than 30 days prior to the expiration of their currently extended certifications --- that is, by October 5, 2011, provided that the rules had become effective by the date.3 However, the revised rules related to the submission of the certification applications and involving information collection requirements have not yet become effective.4 Accordingly, those providers whose certifications expire on November 4, 2011, cannot submit applications for recertification under the revised process until those rules become effective. We therefore extend, until January 4, 2012, the certification period for these affected providers to allow them to submit applications for recertification after the revised certification rules become effective. This extension will enable such providers to 1 The Commission rules provide that providers seeking eligibility for compensation from the Interstate Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) Fund for the provision of Internet-based TRS must first obtain certification from the Commission. See 47 C.F.R. § 64.606(a)(2). The certification granted under the Commission process remains in effect for five years. See 47 C.F.R. § 64.606(c)(2). 2 Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau Announces Extension of Expiring Certifications for Providers of Internet-based Telecommunications Relay Services, CG Docket Nos. 03-123 & 10-51, Public Notice, 26 FCC Rcd 6737 (2011). Structure and Practices of the Video Relay Service Program, Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 26 FCC Rcd 5545 (2011) (VRS Practices R&O and Certification FNPRM). Therein, the Commission proposed new rules to govern the certification process for providers of Internet-based TRS. 3 Structure and Practices of the Video Relay Service Program, CG Docket No. 10-51, Second Report and Order and Order, 26 FCC Rcd 10898, 10922-23, ¶ 60 (2011) (iTRS Certification Order). 4 The Office of Management and Budget has recently approved the information collection contained in the new rules adopted in the iTRS Certification Order. However, a notice announcing such approval making the rules effective has not yet been published in the Federal Register. iTRS Certification Order, 26 FCC Rcd at 10928, ¶ 75. 2 continue to seek compensation from the Interstate TRS Fund for this limited interim period, pending the Commission’s consideration of their applications for recertification.5 This extension is effective upon release of this Public Notice. 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 and Governmental Affairs Bureau at (202) 418-0530 (voice), (202) 418-0432 (TTY). This document can also be downloaded in Word and Portable Document Format (PDF) at: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/dro/trs.html. For further information, please contact Gregory Hlibok, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, Disability Rights Office, at (202) 559-5158 (video/voice), (202) 418-0431 (TTY), or e-mail at Gregory.Hlibok@fcc.gov. Action by the Chief, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau - FCC - 5 Providers whose certifications expire on January 4, 2012 must submit their applications for recertification no later than December 5, 2011, provided that the new certification rules have become effective by that date. See note 3, supra, and accompanying text.