Federal Communications Commission	"FCC  XX-XXX"



STATEMENT OF 
COMMISSIONER MICHAEL O’RIELLY

Re: 	Misuse of Internet Protocol (IP) Captioned Telephone Service, CG Docket No. 13-24; Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities, CG Docket No. 03-123
In directing the Commission to establish the Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) program, Congress explicitly instructed the Commission to ensure that such services would be available to hearing- and speech-impaired Americans “in the most efficient manner.” 47 U.S.C. § 225(b)(1).
  As such, I have repeatedly supported efforts to efficiently target spending to what is necessary to level the playing field for those individuals and respond to substantial growth in the TRS program in general, and the IP CTS program in particular.  For example, I have advocated taking account of new technologies and applications that may serve as replacement communications services for certain users and exploring the use of reverse auctions to replace costly rate regulation.  These important efforts would help to lessen burdens on ratepayers to the TRS fund, and I hope to work with my colleagues to implement these changes.
Ensuring efficiency in the program also requires a strong response to waste, fraud, and abuse.  I therefore fully support the Chairman’s plan to incorporate IP CTS users into the existing User Registration Database to help ensure that that providers are only compensated for calls made by eligible individuals.  I also thank staff for responding to my request to add data on the costs and benefits of integrating IP CTS users into the Database.  Quantifying such data is integral to ensuring efficiency in the program.
I vote to approve.

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