STATEMENT OF
CHAIRMAN KEVIN J. MARTIN
Re:  Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with 
Hearing and Speech Disabilities; E911 Requirements for IP-Enabled Service Providers, CG 
Docket No. 03-123 and WC Docket No. 05-196, Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed 
Rulemaking.
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 take additional steps to help improve the quality of life for individuals with 
disabilities.  We adopt a ten-digit numbering system for Internet-based Telecommunications 
Relay Services (TRS).  We also seek comment on ways to improve Speech-to-Speech service 
(STS) and whether IP STS should be compensated from the Interstate TRS Fund.  Through these 
actions, we make progress in fulfilling our statutory goal of ensuring that every person has equal 
access to this nation’s communications services.  
 We are well aware that there are many Americans with hearing or speech disabilities that 
depend on TRS services for their daily communication needs.  The Commission remains 
committed to improving the quality of life for individuals with disabilities by ensuring that they 
have the same access to communication technologies as people without such disabilities.  
 In March, the Commission committed to adopt an order providing a ten-digit numbering 
system for Internet-based TRS by the end of June and to require that the ten-digit numbering 
system be implemented no later than December 31, 2008.  I am pleased that we fulfill these 
commitments today.  Ten-digit numbering will enable Internet-based TRS users to make and 
receive calls like anyone else, eradicating another barrier that stands in the way of functional 
equivalency.  Functional equivalency means individuals with disabilities having access to the 
same services as everyone else.  This equal access is vital to accessing jobs, education, public 
safety, and simple communications with family, friends, and neighbors.  
 I also support our inquiry into ways to improve STS and our tentative conclusion that IP STS 
is a form of TRS eligible for compensation from the Interstate TRS Fund.  IP STS has the 
potential to allow a broader range of individuals to communicate.  By not being constrained to a 
specific piece of equipment that resides in a particular location, users of this service would have 
tremendous flexibility in how and where they use this service.  Moreover, individuals with 
disabilities would have access to new technologies and, specifically, be able to realize the benefits 
of broadband services.
 I want to assure those of you with hearing or speech disabilities that we will not stop actively 
working to fulfill your need for functional equivalence.  We could not have taken today’s actions 
without your valuable input.  We thank you for your participation in our proceedings and look 
forward to working with you and the service providers to implement the ten-digit numbering 
system and to improve speech to speech service.  It is by working together that we can best 
ensure that the tremendous advances in communications are enjoyed by all Americans.