Sincerely,
Dear Senator Inouye
._---- .
Julius Genachowski
August 5, 2010
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON
I appreciate your continuing interest in this very important matter. Please let me know if
I can be of any further assistance.
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 usceptible to the waste, fraud, and abuse that have
plagued the current program. Bringing c1ality and predictability to VRS compcnsation 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.
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.
The Honorable Daniel K. Inouye
Unites States Senate
722 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
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 III. These
rates represent the average of the CUtTcn! 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 ensuling 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.
OFFICE OF
THL: CHAIRMAN