OFFICE OF"
THE CHAIRMAN
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON
August 5, 2010
The Honorable Orrin G. Hatch
United States Senate
104 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Senator Hatch:
Thank you for your letter regarding the reimbursement rate for Video Relay Service
(VRS). 1 share your support for VRS, which has become a critical communications tool for
many who are deaf or hard of hearing.
On June 28, 2010, the Commission unanimously adopted two items to address immediate
and long-term approaches for sustaining the vital Telecommunications Relay Services, of which
VRS is one form. In an Order, the Commission sets interim VRS rates for the July 1,2010 
June 30, 2011 period at $6.2390 for Tier I, $6.2335 for Tier n, and $5.0668 for Tier m. These
rates represent the average of the current tiered rates and NECA's proposed rates based on
actual, historical costs. The Order notes that these rates also reflect a balance between the goal
of ensuring that VRS providers recover from the VRS Fund only the reasonable costs caused by
their provision of VRS and the goal of.~nsuringquality and sufficient service during a one-year
period.
The other item adopted on June 28 is a Notice ofInquiry to take a fresh look at the VRS
rules with an eye to ensuring that this vital program remains effective, efficient, and sustainable
in the future. The Notice poses questions that delve into many cost and reimbursement related
issues, seeking to make the program less susceptible to the waste, fraud, and abuse that have
plagued the current program. Bringing clarity and predictability to VRS compensation is high on
the Commission's list of priorities, and we will resolve this proceeding as expeditiously as
possible. I am enclosing a copy of the Commission's News Release for your infOlmation.
I appreciate your continuing interest in this very impOltant matter. Please let me know if
I can be of any fUlther assistance.
Sinc
OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON
August 5, 20 I0
The Honorable Mark R. Warner
United States Senate
459A Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Senator Warner:
Thank you for your leller regarding the reimbursement rate for Video Relay Service
(VRS). I share your support for VRS, which has become a critical communications tool for
many who are deaf or hard of hearing.
On June 28, 2010, the Commission unanimously adopted two items to address immediate
and long-term approaches for sustaining the vital Telecommunications Relay Services, of which
VRS is one form. In an Order, the Commission sets interim VRS rates for the July 1,2010 
June 30, 2011 period at $6.2390 for Tier I, $6.2335 for Tier II, and $5.0668 for Tier lll. These
rates represent the average of the cUITenttiered rates and NECA's proposed rates based on
actual, historical costs. The Order notes that these rates also reflect a balance between the goal
of ensuring that VRS providers recover from the VRS Fund only the reasonable costs caused by
their provision of VRS and the goal of ensuring quality and sufficient service during a one-year
period.
The other item adopted on June 28 is a Notice ofIllquiry to take a fresh look at the VRS
rules with an eye to ensuring that this vital program remains effective, efficient, and sustainable
in the future. The Notice poses questions that delve into many cost and reimbursement related
issues, seeking to make the program less susceptible to the waste, fraud, and abuse that have
plagued the current program. Bringing clarity and predictability to VRS compensation is high on
the Commission's list of priorities, and we will resolve this proceeding as expeditiously as
possible. I am enclosing a copy of the Commission's News Release for your information.
I appreciate your continuing interest in this very important mailer. Please let me know if
I can be of any further assistance.
Sincerely,
----- .
Julius Genachowski
The Honorable David Vitter
United States Senate
516 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON
August 5, 2010
Dear Senator Vi tter:
Thank you for your letter regarding the reimbursement rate for Video Relay Service
(VRS). r share your support for VRS, which has become a critical communications tool for
many who are deaf or hard of hearing.
On June 28, 2010, the Commission unanimously adopted two items to address immediate
and long-term approaches for sustaining the vital Telecommunications Relay Services, of which
VRS is one form. In an Order, the Commission sets interim VRS rates for the July 1,2010 
June 30, 2011 period at $6.2390 for Tier I, $6.2335 for Tier II, and $5.0668 for Tier TIT. These
rates represent the average of the current tiered rates and NECA's proposed rates based on
actual, historical costs. The Order notes that these rates also reflect a balance between the goal
of ensuring that VRS providers recover from the VRS Fund only the reasonable costs caused by
their provision of VRS and the goal of ensuring quality and sufficient service during a one-year
period.
The other item adopted on June 28 is a Notice ofInquiry to take a fresh look at the VRS
rules with an eye to ensuring that this vital program remains effective, efficient, and sustainable
in the future. The Notice poses questions that delve into many cost and reimbursement related
issues, seeking to make the program less susceptible to the waste, fraud, and abuse that have
plagued the current program. Bringing clarity and predictability to VRS compensation is high on
the Commission's list of priorities, and we will resolve this proceeding as expeditiously as
possible. I am enclosing a copy of the Commission's ews Release for your information.
r appreciate your continuing interest in this very important matter. Please let me know if
I can be of any further assistance.
Sincerely,
~-----.
Juliu Genachowski
OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON
August 5, 2010
The Honorable John R. Thune
United States Senate
493 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Senator Thune:
Thank you for your letter regarding the reimbursement rate for Video Relay Service
(VRS). I share your support for VRS, which has become a critical communications tool for
many who are deaf or hard of hearing.
On June 28, 2010, the Commission unanimously adopted two items to address immediate
and long-term approaches for sustaining the vital Telecommunications Relay Services, of which
VRS is one form. In an Order, the Commission sets interim VRS rates for the July 1,2010 
June 30, 20II period at $6.2390 for Tier I, $6.2335 for Tier ll, and $5.0668 for Tier Ill. These
rates represent the average of the current tiered rates and NECA's proposed rates based on
actual, historical costs. The Order notes that these rates also reflect a balance between the goal
of ensuring that VRS providers recover from the VRS Fund only the reasonable costs caused by
their provision of VRS and the goal of ensuring quality and sufficient service during a one-year
period.
The other item adopted on June 28 is a Notice ofInquiry to take a fresh look at the VRS
rules with an eye to ensuring that this vital program remains effective, efficient, and sustainable
in the future. The Notice poses questions that delve into many cost and reimbursement related
issues, seeking to make the program less susceptible to the waste, fraud, and abuse that have
plagued the current program. Bringing clarity and predictability to VRS compensation is high on
the Commission's list of priorities, and we will resolve this proceeding as expeditiously as
possible. I am enclosing a copy of the Commission's News Release for your information.
I appreciate your continuing interest in this very important matter. Please let me know if
I can be of any futther assistance.
Sincerely,
- .
----
Julius Genachowski
OFFICE or
THE CHAIRMAN
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON
August 5, 2010
The Honorable Amy Klobuchar
United States Senate
302 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Senator Klobuchar:
Thank you for your letter regarding the reimbursement rate for Video Relay Service
(VRS). I share your support for VRS, which has become a critical communications tool for
many who are deaf or hard of hearing.
On June 28, 2010, the Commission unanimously adopted two items to address immediate
and long-term approaches for sustaining the vital Telecommunications Relay Services, of which
VRS is one form. In an Order, the Commission sets interim VRS rates for the July 1,2010 
June 30, 2011 period at $6.2390 for Tier I, $6.2335 for Tier II, and $5.0668 for Tier III. These
rates represent the average of the CUITent tiered rates and NECA's proposed rates based on
actual, historical costs. The Order notes that these rates also reflect a balance between the goal
of ensuring that VRS providers recover from the VRS Fund only the reasonable costs caused by
their provision of VRS and the goal of ensuring quality and sufficient service dUling a one-year
period.
The other item adopted on June 28 is a Notice ofInquiry to take a fresh look at the VRS
rules with an eye to ensuring that this vital program remains effective, efficient, and sustainable
in the future. The Notice poses questions that delve into many cost and reimbursement related
issues, seeking to make the program less susceptible to the waste, fraud, and abuse that have
plagued the current program. Bringing clarity and predictability to VRS compensation is high on
the Commission's list of priorities, and we will resolve this proceeding as expeditiously as
possible. I am enclosing a copy of the Commission's News Release for your information.
I appreciate your continuing interest in this very impOltant matter. Please let me know if
I can be of any further assistance.
Sincerely,
.~-_...-- .
Julius Genachowski
OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON
August 5, 20 I0
The Honorable Mike Johanns
United States Senate
404 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Senator Johanns:
Thank you for your leller regarding the reimbursement rate for Video Relay Service
(VRS). I share your support for VRS, which has become a critical communications tool for
many who are deaf or hard of hearing.
On June 28, 2010, the Commission unanimously adopted two items to address immediate
and long-term approaches for sustaining the vital Telecommunications Relay Services, of which
VRS is one form. In an Order, the Commission sets interim VRS rates for the July 1,2010 
June 30, 20 II period at $6.2390 for Tier I, $6.2335 for Tier II, and $5.0668 for Tier lll. These
rates represent the average of the current tiered rates and NECA's proposed rates based on
actual, historical costs. The Order notes that these rates also reflect a balance between the goal
of ensuring that VRS providers recover from the VRS Fund only the reasonable costs caused by
their provision of VRS and the goal of ensuring quality and sufficient service during a one-year
period.
The other item adopted on June 28 is a Notice ofInquiry to take a fresh look at the VRS
rules with an eye to ensuring that this vital program remains effective, efficient, and sustainable
in the future. The Notice poses questions that delve into many cost and reimbursement related
issues, seeking to make the program less susceptible to the waste, fraud, and abuse that have
plagued the current program. Bringing clarity and predictability to VRS compensation is high on
the Commission's list of priorities, and we will resolve this proceeding as expeditiously as
possible. I am enclosing a copy of the Commission's News Release for your information.
I appreciate your continuing interest in this very important mailer. Please let me know if
I can be of any further assistance.
Sincerely,
•
Julius Genachowski
OFFICE OF
THECI~AIRMAN
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON
August 5, 2010
The Honorable Kay Bailey Hutchison
United States Senate
284 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Senator Hutchison:
Thank you for your letter regarding the reimbursement rate for Video Relay Service
(VRS). I share your support for VRS, which has become a critical communications tool for
many who are deaf or hard of hearing.
On June 28, 2010, the Commission unanimously adopted two items to address immediate
and long-term approaches for sustaining the vital Telecommunications Relay Services, of which
VRS is one form. In an Order, the Commission sets interim VRS rates for the July 1,2010 
June 30, 20 II period at $6.2390 for Tier I, $6.2335 for Tier II, and $5.0668 for Tier III. These
rates represent the average of the current tiered rates and NECA's proposed rates based on
actual, histotical costs. The Order notes that these rates also reflect a balance between the goal
of ensuting that VRS providers recover from the VRS Fund only the reasonable costs caused by
their provision of VRS and the goal of ensuring quality and sufficient service during a one-year
period.
The other item adopted on June 28 is a Notice ofInquiry to take a fresh look at the VRS
rules with an eye to ensuring that this vital program remains effective, efficient, and sustainable
in the future. The Notice poses questions that delve into many cost and reimbursement related
issues, seeking to make the program less susceptible to the waste, fraud, and abuse that have
plagued the cun'ent program. Bringing clarity and predictability to VRS compensation is high on
the Commission's list of ptiotities, and we will resolve this proceeding as expeditiously as
possible. I am enclosing a copy of the Commission's News Release for your information.
1 appreciate your continuing interest in this very important matter. Please let me know if
I can be of any fUtther assistance.
\UliUS Genachowski