Sec. 64.601  Definitions.

    As used in this subpart, the following definitions apply:
    (1) 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.
    (2) 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.
    (3) 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.
    (4) 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.
    (5) Communications assistant (CA). A person who transliterates 
conversation

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from text to voice and from voice to text between two end users of TRS. 
CA supersedes the term ``TDD operator.''
    (6) Hearing carry over (HCO). A reduced 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.
    (7) 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. TRS 
supersedes the terms ``dual party relay system,'' ``message relay 
services,'' and ``TDD Relay.''
    (8) Text telephone (TT). A machine that employs graphic 
communication in the transmission of coded signals through a wire or 
radio communication system. TT supersedes the term ``TDD'' or 
``telecommunications device for the deaf.''
    (9) Voice carry over (VCO). A reduced 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.