Federal Communications Commission DA 21-828 DA 21-828 Released: July 13, 2021 CONSUMER AND GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS BUREAU EXTENDS DEADLINES FOR COMMENT ON VRS COMPENSATION NPRM CG Docket Nos. 03-123 and 10-51 Extended Comment Deadline: July 29, 2021 Extended Reply Comment Deadline: August 13, 2021 1. By this Public Notice, the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau (CGB), on its own motion, extends the deadlines for filing comments on the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) concerning Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) Fund compensation for the provision of video relay service (VRS), released by the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) on May 21, 2021. Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities; Structure and Practices of the Video Relay Service Program, CG Docket Nos. 03-123 and 10-51, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Order, FCC 21-61 (May 21, 2021) (VRS Compensation NPRM). The initial comment dates were set by publication of a summary of the NPRM in the Federal Register. FCC, Video Relay Service Compensation Correction, 86 Fed. Reg. 31668 (June 15, 2021). 2. Background. On June 21, 2021, to assist the Commission in its consideration of compensation options, CGB announced its intention to submit to the record, subject to restricted access under the Third Protective Order in this proceeding, Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities; Structure and Practices of the Video Relay Service Program; Misuse of Internet Protocol (IP) Captioned Telephone Service, CG Docket Nos. 03-123, 10-51, and 13-24, Order and Third Protective Order, 33 FCC Rcd 6802 (CGB 2018) (Third Protective Order). the most-up-to-date annual cost and demand data submitted by each VRS provider to the Interstate TRS Fund administrator, Rolka Loube Associates LLC (Rolka Loube), for calendar years 2018 through 2022. VRS Provider Cost and Demand Data to be Placed in the Record for Consideration in the VRS Compensation Rulemaking, Subject to the Third Protective Order, CG Docket Nos. 03-123 and 10-51, Public Notice, DA 21-720 (CGB 2021) (Data Submission Public Notice) (“Specifically the Commission intends to place in the record: (1) the most-up-to-date information submitted by each VRS provider on its annual expenses for calendar years 2018 through 2022, in each expense category included in the Video Relay Service Expense and Capital Investments Data worksheet; and (2) the most up-to-date monthly conversation minutes submitted by each VRS provider for calendar years 2018 through 2022 in the Annual VRS Demand Data worksheet.”). CGB then placed in the record the VRS provider cost and demand data used by the TRS Fund administrator to develop the 2021 TRS Fund Annual Report. Rolka Loube Associates LLC, Interstate Telecommunications Relay Services Fund Payment Formula and Fund Size Estimate, CG Docket Nos. 03-123 and 10-51 (filed May 3, 2021), https://ecfsapi.fcc.gov/file/10503519213438/2021%20TRS%20Fund%20Annual%20Report.pdf (2021 TRS Fund Annual Report). CGB filed an incorrectly transcribed version of the VRS Provider Cost and Demand Data on June 29, 2021, and filed a corrected version on July 2, 2021. Subsequently, CGB learned that some updated VRS provider cost and demand data had been filed with the TRS Fund administrator after the release of the TRS Fund Annual Report. On July 12, 2021, CGB filed revised cost and demand data in dockets 03-123 and 10-51 (Updated VRS Provider Cost and Demand Data). Updated VRS Provider Cost and Demand Data is available to eligible persons pursuant to the Third Protective Order. The previous version of the provider data that has been updated has not been made available to any party pursuant to the Third Protective Order. A redacted, public version of the Updated VRS Provider Cost and Demand Data is available in the record. Letter from Eliot Greenwald, FCC, to Marlene Dortch, FCC, CG Docket Nos. 03-123 and 10-51 (filed July 12, 2021), https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/filing/107122629926141. 3. Discussion. To ensure that interested parties have an opportunity to review the “most-up-to-date” VRS Provider Cost and Demand Data prior to filing comments, we extend, on our own motion, the due dates for interested parties to file comments and reply comments on the VRS Compensation NPRM. While it is the policy of the Commission that extensions of time should not be routinely granted, See 47 CFR § 1.46. we find good cause to extend the comment cycle to ensure a more accurate and fully developed record in response to the NPRM. The deadlines to file comments and reply comments are extended by 14 days each, to July 29, 2021, and August 13, 2021, respectively. 4. This action is taken pursuant to sections 4(i) of the Communications Act, 47 U.S.C. § 154(i), and sections 0.141, 0.204, 0.361, 1.46 of the Commission’s rules, 47 CFR §§ 0.141, 0.204, 0.361, 1.46, This item is effective upon its release. 5. Accessible Materials. 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. 6. For further information, contact Michael Scott, Disability Rights Office, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, at michael.scott@fcc.gov or (202) 418-1264. -FCC- 2