STATEMENT OF 
COMMISSIONER ROBERT M. McDOWELL
Re:  Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with 
Hearing and Speech Disabilities, CG Docket No. 03-123, CC Docket No. 98-67; E911 
Requirements for IP-Enabled Service Providers, WC Docket No. 05-196
I am pleased to support this item, which resolves a number of issues critical to ensuring 
the successful transition of Internet-based TRS services to ten-digit numbering.  As of December 
31, 2008, Internet-based TRS users will, for the first time, be able to make and receive calls in the 
same manner that voice telephone users are called – using a standard ten-digit telephone number.  
More importantly, 911 calls placed by Internet-based TRS users will be routed directly and 
automatically to the appropriate public safety answering point.  This is an major step towards 
ensuring that those with hearing and speech disabilities are afforded “functionally equivalent” 
telephone services.  
Our work is not, however, complete.  I strongly urge service providers to cooperate to 
implement standards-based solutions to resolve outstanding issues whenever possible, and trust 
that the user community will continue to provide us with valuable input as we move forward.  We 
will closely monitor the transition process, and I will continue to work with my colleagues to 
ensure that we fulfill our statutory mandate.