§ 64.601   Definitions and provisions of general applicability.

   (a) For purposes of this subpart, the terms Public Safety Answering Point
   (PSAP), statewide default answering point, and appropriate local emergency
   authority are defined in 47 CFR 64.3000; the terms pseudo-ANI and Wireline
   E911 Network are defined in 47 CFR 9.3; the term affiliate is defined in 47
   CFR 52.12(a)(1)(i), and the terms majority and debt are defined in 47 CFR
   52.12(a)(1)(ii).

   (1) 711. The abbreviated dialing code for accessing relay services anywhere
   in the United States.

   (2) ACD platform. The hardware and/or software that comprise the essential
   call center function of call distribution, and that are a necessary core
   component of Internet-based TRS.

   (3) American Sign Language (ASL). A visual language based on hand shape,
   position, movement, and orientation of the hands in relation to each other
   and the body.

   (4)  ANI.  For  911 systems, the Automatic Number Identification (ANI)
   identifies the calling party and may be used as the callback number.

   (5)  ASCII.  An  acronym  for  American  Standard Code for Information
   Interexchange  which  employs an eight bit code and can operate at any
   standard transmission baud rate including 300, 1200, 2400, and higher.

   (6) Authorized provider. An iTRS provider that becomes the iTRS user's new
   default provider, having obtained the user's authorization verified in
   accordance with the procedures specified in this part.

   (7) Baudot. A seven bit code, only five of which are information bits.
   Baudot is used by some text telephones to communicate with each other at a
   45.5 baud rate.

   (8)  Call  release. A TRS feature that allows the CA to sign-off or be
   “released” from the telephone line after the CA has set up a telephone call
   between the originating TTY caller and a called TTY party, such as when a
   TTY user must go through a TRS facility to contact another TTY user because
   the called TTY party can only be reached through a voice-only interface,
   such as a switchboard.

   (9) Common carrier or carrier. Any common carrier engaged in interstate
   Communication  by  wire  or  radio  as  defined in section 3(h) of the
   Communications Act of 1934, as amended (the Act), and any common carrier
   engaged  in intrastate communication by wire or radio, notwithstanding
   sections 2(b) and 221(b) of the Act.

   (10)  Communications  assistant  (CA).  A person who transliterates or
   interprets conversation between two or more end users of TRS. CA supersedes
   the term “TDD operator.”

   (11)  Default provider. The iTRS provider that registers and assigns a
   ten-digit telephone number to an iTRS user pursuant to § 64.611.

   (12) Default provider change order. A request by an iTRS user to an iTRS
   provider to change the user's default provider.

   (13) Hearing carry over (HCO). A form of TRS where the person with the
   speech disability is able to listen to the other end user and, in reply, the
   CA speaks the text as typed by the person with the speech disability. The CA
   does not type any conversation. Two-line HCO is an HCO service that allows
   TRS users to use one telephone line for hearing and the other for sending
   TTY messages. HCO-to-TTY allows a relay conversation to take place between
   an HCO user and a TTY user. HCO-to-HCO allows a relay conversation to take
   place between two HCO users.

   (14) Interconnected VoIP service. The term “interconnected VoIP service” has
   the meaning given such term under § 9.3 of this chapter, as such section may
   be amended from time to time.

   (15) Internet-based TRS (iTRS). A telecommunications relay service (TRS) in
   which an individual with a hearing or a speech disability connects to a TRS
   communications assistant using an Internet Protocol-enabled device via the
   Internet, rather than the public switched telephone network. Internet-based
   TRS  does  not  include  the  use  of  a  text telephone (TTY) over an
   interconnected voice over Internet Protocol service.

   (16)  Internet  Protocol  Captioned  Telephone  Service  (IP  CTS).  A
   telecommunications relay service that permits an individual who can speak
   but who has difficulty hearing over the telephone to use a telephone and an
   Internet Protocol-enabled device via the Internet to simultaneously listen
   to the other party and read captions of what the other party is saying. With
   IP CTS, the connection carrying the captions between the relay service
   provider and the relay service user is via the Internet, rather than the
   public switched telephone network.

   (17) Internet Protocol Relay Service (IP Relay). A telecommunications relay
   service that permits an individual with a hearing or a speech disability to
   communicate  in text using an Internet Protocol-enabled device via the
   Internet, rather than using a text telephone (TTY) and the public switched
   telephone network.

   (18)  IP  Relay  access  technology. Any equipment, software, or other
   technology issued, leased, or provided by an Internet-based TRS provider
   that can be used to make and receive an IP Relay call.

   (19) iTRS access technology. Any equipment, software, or other technology
   issued, leased, or provided by an Internet-based TRS provider that can be
   used to make and receive an Internet-based TRS call.

   (20) Neutral Video Communication Service Platform. The service platform that
   allows a registered Internet-based VRS user to use VRS access technology to
   make and receive VRS and point-to-point calls through a VRS CA service
   provider. The functions provided by the Neutral Video Communication Service
   Platform  include the provision of a video link, user registration and
   validation, authentication, authorization, ACD platform functions, routing
   (including emergency call routing), call setup, mapping, call features (such
   as call forwarding and video mail), and such other features and functions
   not provided by the VRS CA service provider.

   (21) New default provider. An iTRS provider that, either directly or through
   its numbering partner, initiates or implements the process to become the
   iTRS user's default provider by replacing the iTRS user's original default
   provider.

   (22) Non-English language relay service. A telecommunications relay service
   that allows persons with hearing or speech disabilities who use languages
   other than English to communicate with voice telephone users in a shared
   language other than English, through a CA who is fluent in that language.

   (23) Non-interconnected VoIP service. The term “non-interconnected VoIP
   service”—

   (i) Means a service that—

   (A) Enables real-time voice communications that originate from or terminate
   to the user's location using Internet protocol or any successor protocol;
   and

   (B) Requires Internet protocol compatible customer premises equipment; and

   (ii) Does not include any service that is an interconnected VoIP service.

   (24) Numbering partner. Any entity with which an Internet-based TRS provider
   has entered into a commercial arrangement to obtain North American Numbering
   Plan telephone numbers.

   (25) Original default provider. An iTRS provider that is the iTRS user's
   default provider immediately before that iTRS user's default provider is
   changed.

   (26)  Qualified  interpreter.  An interpreter who is able to interpret
   effectively, accurately, and impartially, both receptively and expressively,
   using any necessary specialized vocabulary.

   (27) Registered Internet-based TRS user. An individual that has registered
   with a VRS or IP Relay provider as described in § 64.611.

   (28) Registered Location. The most recent information obtained by a VRS or
   IP Relay provider that identifies the physical location of an end user.

   (29) Sign language. A language which uses manual communication and body
   language to convey meaning, including but not limited to American Sign
   Language.

   (30)  Speech-to-speech relay service (STS). A telecommunications relay
   service that allows individuals with speech disabilities to communicate with
   voice  telephone  users  through  the use of specially trained CAs who
   understand the speech patterns of persons with speech disabilities and can
   repeat the words spoken by that person.

   (31) Speed dialing. A TRS feature that allows a TRS user to place a call
   using a stored number maintained by the TRS facility. In the context of TRS,
   speed dialing allows a TRS user to give the CA a short-hand” name or number
   for the user's most frequently called telephone numbers.

   (32)  Telecommunications  relay services (TRS). Telephone transmission
   services that provide the ability for an individual who has a hearing or
   speech disability to engage in communication by wire or radio with a hearing
   individual in a manner that is functionally equivalent to the ability of an
   individual who does not have a hearing or speech disability to communicate
   using voice communication services by wire or radio. Such term includes
   services that enable two-way communication between an individual who uses a
   text telephone or other nonvoice terminal device and an individual who does
   not use such a device, speech-to-speech services, video relay services and
   non-English relay services. TRS supersedes the terms “dual party relay
   system,” “message relay services,” and “TDD Relay.”

   (33) Text telephone (TTY). A machine that employs graphic communication in
   the transmission of coded signals through a wire or radio communication
   system. TTY supersedes the term “TDD” or “telecommunications device for the
   deaf,” and TT.

   (34) Three-way calling feature. A TRS feature that allows more than two
   parties to be on the telephone line at the same time with the CA.

   (35) TRS Numbering Administrator. The neutral administrator of the TRS
   Numbering Directory selected based on a competitive bidding process.

   (36) TRS Numbering Directory. The database administered by the TRS Numbering
   Administrator, the purpose of which is to map each registered Internet-based
   TRS user's NANP telephone number to his or her end device.

   (37) TRS User Registration Database. A system of records containing TRS user
   identification data capable of:

   (i) Receiving and processing subscriber information sufficient to identify
   unique TRS users and to ensure that each has a single default provider;

   (ii) Assigning each VRS user a unique identifier;

   (iii) Allowing VRS providers and other authorized entities to query the TRS
   User Registration Database to determine if a prospective user already has a
   default provider;

   (iv)  Allowing  VRS providers to indicate that a VRS user has used the
   service; and

   (v)  Maintaining the confidentiality of proprietary data housed in the
   database by protecting it from theft, loss or disclosure to unauthorized
   persons. The purpose of this database is to ensure accurate registration and
   verification of VRS users and improve the efficiency of the TRS program.

   (38) Unauthorized provider. An iTRS provider that becomes the iTRS user's
   new  default provider without having obtained the user's authorization
   verified in accordance with the procedures specified in this part.

   (39) Unauthorized change. A change in an iTRS user's selection of a default
   provider that was made without authorization verified in accordance with the
   verification procedures specified in this part.

   (40) Video relay service (VRS). A telecommunications relay service that
   allows people with hearing or speech disabilities who use sign language to
   communicate with voice telephone users through video equipment. The video
   link allows the CA to view and interpret the party's signed conversation and
   relay the conversation back and forth with a voice caller.

   (41) Visual privacy screen. A screen or any other feature that is designed
   to prevent one party or both parties on the video leg of a VRS call from
   viewing the other party during a call.

   (42) Voice carry over (VCO). A form of TRS where the person with the hearing
   disability is able to speak directly to the other end user. The CA types the
   response back to the person with the hearing disability. The CA does not
   voice the conversation. Two-line VCO is a VCO service that allows TRS users
   to  use one telephone line for voicing and the other for receiving TTY
   messages. A VCO-to-TTY TRS call allows a relay conversation to take place
   between a VCO user and a TTY user. VCO-to-VCO allows a relay conversation to
   take place between two VCO users.

   (43) VRS access technology. Any equipment, software, or other technology
   issued, leased, or provided by an Internet-based TRS provider that can be
   used to make and receive a VRS call.

   (44) VRS Access Technology Reference Platform. A software product procured
   by or on behalf of the Commission that provides VRS functionality, including
   the ability to make and receive VRS and point-to-point calls, dial-around
   functionality, and the ability to update user registration location, and
   against  which  providers may test their own VRS access technology and
   platforms  for  compliance  with the Commission's interoperability and
   portability rules.

   (45) VRS CA service provider. A VRS provider that uses the Neutral Video
   Communication  Service  Platform  for  the video communication service
   components of VRS.

   (b)  For  purposes  of  this subpart, all regulations and requirements
   applicable to common carriers shall also be applicable to providers of
   interconnected VoIP service.

   [ 68 FR 50976 , Aug. 25, 2003, as amended at  69 FR 53351 , Sept. 1, 2004;  72 FR 43559 , Aug. 6, 2007;  73 FR 41294 , July 18, 2008;  76 FR 24400 , May 2, 2011;
    76 FR 65969 , Oct. 25, 2011;  78 FR 40605 , July 5, 2013]

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