FCC Proposes Tech Upgrades for Disability Communication Relays
Published Date: 3/17/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The FCC wants to update internet-based relay services that help people with hearing or speech disabilities communicate better. They’re proposing new tech like speech-to-text and captioning, fixing old rules, and making it easier to sign up and use these services. Comments on these changes are open until April 16, 2026, so the future of clearer, faster communication is just around the corner!
Analyzed Economic Effects
11 provisions identified: 9 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Removing phone-number requirement for automated IP Relay
The FCC proposes that fully automated IP Relay using ASR and automated text-to-speech might not need a designated ten-digit NANP telephone number entered in the TRS Numbering Directory, relying instead on VoIP number assignment. The Commission seeks comment on whether this change would affect emergency access (e.g., 911, 988), call routing, and fraud prevention.
Allowing automated speech-to-text in IP Relay
The FCC proposes to allow and evaluate automatic speech recognition (ASR) and automated text-to-speech in Internet Protocol (IP) Relay to convert spoken words to text and typed text to speech. The Commission seeks comment on deployment, performance, and whether these technologies can improve the functional equivalency and user experience for persons with hearing or speech disabilities.
TRS Fund compensation rate conflict
The NPRM highlights a compensation-rate gap: IP Relay is paid $2.1970 per minute for the current Fund Year, while CA-assisted IP CTS is compensated at $1.40 per minute (plus a potential supplement) and ASR-only IP CTS at $1.05 per minute. The Commission seeks comment on how to address incentives that may arise from these differing rates, including changes to the compensation plan, registration, call reporting, or technology-based solutions to distinguish service types.
Possible requirement to keep human CA option
The Commission asks whether it should require a human communication assistant (CA) option to remain available in every IP Relay offering, because fully automated services may not meet needs in some contexts. The NPRM requests comment on whether human-assisted IP Relay provides essential assistance for some users and whether a human option should be mandated to maintain service quality.
RTT compatibility for IP Relay
The Commission seeks comment on making IP Relay compatible with Real-Time Text (RTT) features (e.g., character-by-character display, full-duplex text/voice integration), including required technical standards, costs, and an appropriate transition period (examples given: 18 or 24 months). The NPRM requests estimates of capital and operational costs and potential benefits to conversation flow and accessibility.
New performance metrics and testing for ASR/text-to-speech
The FCC seeks comment on developing objective, quantitative metrics for IP Relay ASR (speech-to-text) and automated text-to-speech quality, whether IP Relay metrics should be more stringent than IP CTS metrics, and how testing should be conducted and reported. The Commission also asks whether poor measured performance should trigger remediation plans, reduced compensation, or changes to certification.
Adding captions to Video Relay Service
The Commission proposes requiring Video Relay Service (VRS) platforms to add built-in captioning for (1) what the CA voices when transliterating signs into spoken English and (2) what the hearing caller says, and to allow users to adjust caption size, font, location, color, and opacity. The FCC seeks comment on feasibility, costs, benefits, and whether captioning should apply to dedicated videophones and software on off‑the‑shelf devices.
Compensable VRS calls to U.S. embassies abroad
The FCC proposes to require VRS providers to complete calls from U.S. resident VRS users traveling abroad to a designated list of U.S. embassy and consulate numbers, and to permit TRS Fund support for such calls. The Commission seeks comment on technical feasibility, costs, safeguards against misuse, and its legal authority under section 225 of the Communications Act.
Revisiting the 80% at-home VRS cap
The Commission seeks comment on removing the existing cap that limits at-home VRS minutes to 80% of a provider's monthly minutes (implicitly requiring at least 20% of minutes to be handled in physical call centers). The NPRM asks about effects on quality, oversight, CA recruitment and retention, costs, and whether alternate minimum physical-presence requirements should be imposed.
Streamlining TRS user registration
The FCC proposes unifying and streamlining user registration and verification rules across TRS types and asks whether the User Database administrator should offer a direct user registration portal so users would not need to re-register and re-verify each time they change providers. The NPRM requests comments on operational impacts, privacy concerns, and effects on program integrity and user experience.
Streamlining TRS provider certification
The Commission seeks comment on streamlining provider certification and recertification requirements to reduce detailed application burdens (for example, limiting required employee listings or shortening document retention periods) while ensuring functional equivalence and preventing waste, fraud, and abuse of the TRS Fund. The NPRM asks whether certifying less detail could speed entry or reduce administrative burdens on providers.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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