Media Contact: 
Will Wiquist, (202) 418-0509
will.wiquist@fcc.gov
For Immediate Release
FCC CLEARS PATH FOR TRANSITION 
FROM TTY TECHNOLOGY TO REAL-TIME TEXT
Commission Moves Toward Modernizing Wireless Phone Text Compatibility
  --
WASHINGTON, December 15, 2016 – The Federal Communications Commission today 
amended its rules to allow phone companies to replace support for an outdated form of text 
telephone communications, known as TTY, with support for real-time text, to provide reliable 
telephone communications for Americans who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind, or who have 
a speech disability.  
As the nation’s communications networks migrate to IP-based environments, real-time text 
technology will allow Americans with disabilities to use the same wireless communications 
devices as their friends, relatives and colleagues, and more seamlessly integrate into tomorrow’s 
communications networks.  Under FCC rules, phone companies and manufacturers are required 
to support accessible text communications services, which for years have taken the form of TTY 
services.  Under the new rules, carriers and manufacturers will be allowed to use the more 
advanced and interoperable real-time text technology to meet this obligation.  
Real-time text allows characters to be sent as they are created without hitting “send.”  This allows 
text to be sent at the same time as voice communications, permitting a more conversation-friendly 
service.  In addition, by not requiring users to hit “send,” 911 call center personnel, for example, 
will be able to receive even incomplete messages from people in need. Real-time text enables the 
full integration of people with disabilities into IP communications networks as they become 
widely available.  It allows consumers using text communications to interact directly with 
consumers on voice phones, and vice versa.  This technology will also be able to function in off-
the-shelf devices like common smartphones.  This will eliminate the need for consumers with 
disabilities to purchase expensive and often hard-to-find specialized text devices.
The order adopted today allows companies to transition to real-time text as a replacement for 
TTY services.  The Commission has already granted various wireless carriers’ waiver requests of 
the Commission’s requirements to support TTY technology as they committed to developing and 
deploying real-time text services on their wireless IP networks.  They and other stakeholders 
generally agree on the technical feasibility of real-time text, as well as its superior reliability, 
efficiency, character sets, features and speed over TTY. 
This order responds to AT&T’s petition asking the FCC to initiate a rulemaking that would 
authorize the industry-wide substitution of real-time text for TTY technology to meet 
accessibility requirements on wireless networks.  To fulfill this requirement, real-time text 
services must be both compatible with existing TTY services and interoperable with real-time 
text applications on other networks.  The Commission also adopted a notice asking questions 
about next steps in the process of integrating these services into telecommunications relay 
services and the need for certain RTT features for people with cognitive disabilities and who are 
deaf-blind.
For more information about the FCC’s Disability Rights Office, visit: 
https://www.fcc.gov/general/disability-rights-office.  
Action by the Commission December 15, 2016 by Report and Order and Further Notice of 
Proposed Rulemaking (FCC 16-169). Chairman Wheeler, Commissioners Clyburn, Rosenworcel, 
Pai and O’Rielly approving and issuing separate statements.
CG Docket No. 16-145; GN Docket No. 15-178
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This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order 
constitutes official action.  See MCI v. FCC, 515 F.2d 385 (D.C. Cir. 1974).