§  64.601   Definitions and provisions of general applicability.

   (a) For purposes of this subpart, 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) At-home CA. A communications assistant (CA) that a video relay
   service (VRS) provider authorizes to handle VRS calls at a home
   workstation.

   (6) At-home VRS call handling. The handling of VRS calls by a CA at a
   home workstation.

   (7) 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.

   (8) 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.

   (9) 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.

   10) 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.

   (11) 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.

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

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

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

   (15) Direct video customer support. A telephone customer support
   operation that enables callers with hearing or speech disabilities to
   engage in real-time direct video communication in ASL with ASL speakers
   in a call center operation.

   (16) Enterprise videophone. A videophone maintained by a business,
   organization, government agency, or other entity, and designated for
   use by its employees or other individuals in private or restricted
   areas.

   (17) 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.

   (18) Hearing point-to-point video user. A hearing individual who has
   been assigned a ten-digit NANP number that is entered in the TRS
   Numbering Directory to access point-to-point service.

   (19) Home workstation or home CA workstation. A VRS CA's workstation in
   the CA's home or in any location where two or more CAs do not
   simultaneously handle VRS calls.

   (20) 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.

   (21) 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. Except as authorized or required by the
   Commission, internet-based TRS does not include the use of a text
   telephone (TTY) or RTT over an interconnected voice over internet
   Protocol service.

   (22) 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.

   (23) 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.

   (24) 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.

   (25) 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.

   (26) 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.

   (27) 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.

   (28) 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.

   (29) 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.

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

   (31) Point-to-point video call. A call placed via a point-to-point
   video service.

   (32) Point-to-point video service. A service that enables a user to
   place and receive non-relay video calls without the assistance of a CA.

   (33) Public videophone. A videophone maintained by a business,
   organization, government agency, or other entity, and made available
   for use by the public in a public space, such as a public area of a
   business, school, hospital, library, airport, or government building.

   (34) Qualified direct video entity. An individual or entity that is
   approved by the Commission for access to the TRS Numbering Directory
   that is engaged in direct video customer support and that is the
   end-user customer that has been assigned a telephone number used for
   direct video customer support calls or is the designee of such entity.

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

   (36) Real-Time Text (RTT). The term real-time text shall have the
   meaning set forth in § 67.1 of this chapter.

   (37) Registered internet-based TRS user. An individual who has
   registered with a VRS, IP Relay, or IP CTS provider as described in
   § 64.611.

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

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

   (40) 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.

   (41) 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.

   (42) Telecommunications relay services (TRS). Telephone transmission
   services that provide the ability for an individual who is deaf, hard
   of hearing, deaf-blind, or who has a speech disability to engage in
   communication by wire or radio with one or more individuals, in a
   manner that is functionally equivalent to the ability of a hearing
   individual who does not have a speech disability to communicate using
   voice communication services by wire or radio.

   (43) 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.

   (44) 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.

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

   (46) 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.

   (47) 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.

   (48) 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.

   (49) 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.

   (50) 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.

   (51) 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.

   (52) 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.

   (53) 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.

   (54) 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.

   (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;  82 FR 7707 , Jan. 23, 2017;  82 FR 17761 , Apr. 13, 2017;  82 FR 39682 , Aug. 22,
   2017;  84 FR 8461 , Mar. 8, 2019;  84 FR 26369 , June 6, 2019;  84 FR 66779 ,
   Dec. 5, 2019;  85 FR 1127 , Jan. 9, 2020;  85 FR 9390 , Feb. 19, 2020;  85 FR 27312 , May 8, 2020]