§619 — Title 47 Telegraphs, Telephones, and Radiotelegraphs | U.S. Code

Summary

Manufacturers and mobile service providers must make any web browser they put into phones that work on public mobile networks usable by people who are blind or have low vision. That includes making the browser’s features and the way to open it work for those users, unless doing so is not possible. They do not have to make other browsers available or make websites, apps, or online services themselves accessible (other than letting the included browser be used to reach them). To follow the rule, a maker or provider can either build the phone and browser so they work for people with disabilities without extra tools, or provide add‑on apps or devices that cost little and that people with disabilities can use.

Title 47, §619

Telegraphs, Telephones, and Radiotelegraphs — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)If a manufacturer of a telephone used with public mobile services (as such term is defined in section 610(b)(4)(B) of this title) includes an Internet browser in such telephone, or if a provider of mobile service arranges for the inclusion of a browser in telephones to sell to customers, the manufacturer or provider shall ensure that the functions of the included browser (including the ability to launch the browser) are accessible to and usable by individuals who are blind or have a visual impairment, unless doing so is not achievable, except that this subsection shall not impose any requirement on such manufacturer or provider—

(1)to make accessible or usable any Internet browser other than a browser that such manufacturer or provider includes or arranges to include in the telephone; or

(2)to make Internet content, applications, or services accessible or usable (other than enabling individuals with disabilities to use an included browser to access such content, applications, or services).

(b)A manufacturer or provider may satisfy the requirements of subsection (a) with respect to such telephone or services by—

(1)ensuring that the telephone or services that such manufacture or provider offers is accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities without the use of third party applications, peripheral devices, software, hardware, or customer premises equipment; or

(2)using third party applications, peripheral devices, software, hardware, or customer premises equipment that is available to the consumer at nominal cost and that individuals with disabilities can access.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Pub. L. 111–260, title I, § 104(b), Oct. 8, 2010, 124 Stat. 2761, provided that: “section 718 of the Communications Act of 1934 [47 U.S.C. 619], as added by subsection (a), shall take effect 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 8, 2010].”

§619 Internet browsers built into telephones used with public mobile services

Summary

Title 47, §619

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Citations & Metadata