PRIA, Government Policy, Made Personal

Summary

If a phone sold for public mobile service has a built‑in web browser, the phone maker or the mobile service provider must make the browser’s functions (like opening the browser) usable by people who are blind or have low vision, unless that is not possible. They do not have to make browsers they did not include usable, and they do not have to make websites, apps, or services accessible, except so users can get to them with the included browser. A company can meet the rule either by making the phone and its browser work for people with disabilities without extra gadgets or software, or by providing third‑party tools (apps, hardware, or other devices) that are available to the buyer at nominal cost and that people with disabilities can use.

Title 47, §619

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

(a)Accessibility

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)Industry flexibility

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