FCC Advisory Information
Digital TV
On February 17, 2009 all full-power broadcast television stations in the United States will stop broadcasting on analog airwaves and begin broadcasting only in digital. Digital broadcasting will allow stations to offer improved picture and sound quality and additional channels. Find out more about whether or not you will be impacted by the digital TV (DTV) transition. Go now.
Ten Digit Numbering system
Beginning on December 31, 2008, persons with hearing and speech disabilities using Video Relay Service (VRS) or Internet Protocol Relay (IP Relay) – two forms of Internet-based Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) – will be able to obtain ten-digit telephone numbers. This ten-digit number requirement was adopted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in conjunction with 911 call handling requirements for VRS and IP-Relay providers. Go now.
Receiving Local Telephone Numbers from CSDVRS
The FCC has passed a ruling that allows VRS customers to obtain local telephone numbers from VRS providers. Those numbers will make it easier for you to receive calls from hearing people – all you will have to do is give someone your telephone number and they will be able to call you on that number. (The number will be automatically mapped to your IP address.)
CSDVRS will soon begin to provide customers with these local ten-digit telephone numbers. In order to obtain a local number from CSDVRS, you will need to have one of the videophone solutions from CSDVRS – either the Z340, the Z150 or the Z100. CSDVRS will begin offering these videophone options in December and January. To obtain a Z340 or a Z150 (videophones), you will need to sign-up on our website. The Z100 (videophone software) will be available for downloading from our website in January.
When you receive a local number from CSDVRS, we will become your “default provider.” This means that VRS calls to and from your telephone number will be routed through CSDVRS. Once you have your number, you will also be able to make a 9-1-1 call from your Z videophone/software and CSDVRS will automatically route that call to the right emergency 9-1-1 service center. In order to do this, CSDVRS will need you to provide us with your “Registered Location” - which is the exact physical address where you are likely to need 9-1-1 help. Typically, this will be the home or office where you keep your videophone. You will be able to provide us with your Registered Location through your online account profile at www.csdvrs.com and you will be responsible for changing that registered location anytime you move to a new address. Each time you change your Registered Location you will receive a confirmation email from CSDVRS. It is critical that you keep your Registered Location information updated in order to get assistance in an emergency, so please remember to change this data anytime you move to a new address.
The local number you receive from CSDVRS can be “ported” to another VRS provider. In addition, you can “port” a local number from another VRS provider to CSDVRS. Porting numbers means that the default provider for that telephone number will change and the new VRS provider will be responsible for VRS calls to and from that telephone number, including emergency calls. When you are considering porting a number to CSDVRS, please contact our customer service department (VP: help.csdvrs.tv or E-mail: help@csdvrs.com) and we will assist you.
Note: If you do obtain a telephone number from a VRS provider other than CSDVRS, it does not mean that you must use that VRS provider for all your VRS calls. FCC rules clearly allow all users of VRS to use any VRS provider for any VRS call. So, if you use CSDVRS for your VRS calls now, you may continue to do this even if you get a telephone number from another provider.