STATEMENT OF 
COMMISSIONER DEBORAH TAYLOR TATE
Re:  Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with 
Hearing and Speech Disabilities; Speech-to-Speech and Internet Protocol (IP) Speech-to-Speech 
Telecommunications Relay Services, CG Docket Nos. 03-123 and 08-15, Notice of Proposed 
Rulemaking.
Today we continue to recognize our responsibilities to insure all our citizens have access 
to communications services by issuing this NPRM.  We seek comment regarding the TRS 
regulations and specifically whether or not the Commission should amend specific regulations 
applicable to Speech-to-Speech (STS) services including whether to require that the 
Communications Assistant (CA) remain with the call for a minimum of 20 minutes, and that 
providers offer the STS user the option of having her or his voice muted so that the other party to 
the call would only hear the STS CA re-voicing the call (and not also the voice of the STS user).  
The draft NPRM also seeks comment regarding ways in which the Commission can ensure that 
STS users calling 711 (the nationwide access code for state relay providers) may promptly reach 
an STS assistant (CA) to handle their calls, including, for example, requiring TRS providers to 
use an interactive menu that allows the STS user to reach an STS CA as the first option.  
These are important issues for STS users, and the changes proposed will likely result in 
the more efficient handling of STS calls.  As the Commission continues to consider the needs of 
all our consumers in this digital age, I especially value the input of those who know first-hand 
what rules will most effectively serve those consumers who will benefit most.