Sorenson Communications joined with deaf advocacy groups -- including the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) and Telecommunications for the Deaf Inc. (TDI) -- and other VRS providers in urging the FCC to reject recommendations by the National Exchange Carrier Association (NECA) to slash rates in place for the current year.

"The NECA rate recommendation threatens the availability of quality communications services for the deaf, and will stifle the innovation and growth of fledgling VRS technologies," said Pat Nola, the chief executive officer of Sorenson. "FCC commissioners have been stalwart in their support of communications services for the deaf community under the Americans with Disabilities Act; we trust that the FCC will continue to ensure quality VRS offerings by rejecting NECA's woefully inadequate proposed rate."

On May 15, 2006, NECA recommended reducing the rate for VRS by 8 percent from the rate currently in effect. "In the last year the FCC has required many improvements in VRS service, greatly increasing costs for providers," said Ron Burdett, vice president of community relations for Sorenson Communications and a prominent deaf leader. "To propose reducing rates while increasing costs is equivalent to an unfunded mandate that would have a chilling effect on VRS services sure to be felt by the deaf community."

In a declaration accompanying the filing, Cheryl L. Parrino, the former chairman of the Wisconsin Public Service Commission and past president of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC), detailed concerns regarding NECA's proposed rate reduction: "NECA inappropriately eliminated funding for educational outreach and marketing, and failed to account for rising costs associated with projections of increased demand. Rejecting these NECA revisions adds approximately $.93 to the NECA recommended rate."

Sorenson Communications maintains that the reimbursement rate needs to be increased to account for the rising costs associated with mandated requirements, and the obligation of providers to continue to reach out to deaf and hard-of-hearing Americans who have yet to experience the benefits of VRS service. The FCC recently required VRS providers to comply with speed of answer rules and allow consumers to call the interpreters of any provider. The commission has also requested that VRS providers offer Spanish interpreters and develop 911 emergency solutions -- both of which may be required in the near future.

The FCC must approve rates for communications services for the deaf, as mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act, by July 1, 2006. These services include Video Relay Service, IP Relay and TTY.

Press Release