Common carrier services: Emergency calls at telecommunications relay services centers; procedures clarification,

[Federal Register: August 26, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 165)]

[Proposed Rules]

[Page 54761]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr26au02-25]

[[Page 54761]]

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR Part 64

[CC Docket No. 98-67; DA 02-1826]

Request for Comment on Clarification of Procedures for Emergency Calls at Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) Centers

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Proposed rule; request for comments.

SUMMARY: This document seeks public comment on the proposed clarification of the Commission's rules in part 64 regarding procedures for routing emergency calls by telecommunications relay services (TRS) centers. In March 2000, the Commission discussed routing emergency TRS calls to the most appropriate Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP). However, the minimum mandatory standards provide for the routing of emergency TRS calls to the nearest PSAP. The Commission seeks comments regarding a proposal that TRS providers use a system for emergency calls that would automatically and immediately transfer a caller to the most appropriate PSAP.

DATES: Interested parties may file comments in this proceeding no later than August 29, 2002. Reply comments may be filedno later than September 13, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, SW, Washington, DC 20554.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Erica Myers, Federal Communications Commission, Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau, Disability Rights Office (202) 418-2429 (voice), (202) 418-0464 (TTY), or e-mail emyers@fcc.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: When filing comments, please reference CC Docket 98-67. Interested parties may file comments in this proceeding no later than August 29, 2002. Reply comments may be filedno later than September 13, 2002. Comments may be filedusing the Commission's Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS) or by filing paper copies. See Electronic Filing of Documents in Rulemaking Proceedings, 63 FR 24,121 (1998). Comments filedthrough the ECFS can be sent as an electronic file via the Internet to . Generally, only one copy of an electronic submission must be filed. If multiple docket or rulemaking numbers appear in the caption of this proceeding, however, commenters must transmit one electronic copy of the comments to each docket or rulemaking number referenced in the caption. In completing the transmittal screen, commenters should include their full name, Postal Service mailing address, and the applicable docket or rulemaking number. Parties may also submit an electronic comment by Internet e- mail. To get filing instructions for e-mail comments, commenters should send an e-mail to ecfs@fcc.gov, and should include the following words in the body of the message, ``get form .'' A sample form and directions will be sent in reply. Parties who choose to file by paper must file an original and four copies of each filing. If more than one docket or rulemaking number appears in the caption of this proceeding, commenters must submit two additional copies for each additional docket or rulemaking number. Filings can be sent by hand or messenger delivery, by commercial overnight courier, or by first-class or overnight U.S. Postal Services mail (although we continue to experience delays in receiving U.S. Postal Service mail). The Commission's contractor, Vistronix, Inc., will receive hand-delivered or messenger-delivered paper filings for the Commission's Secretary at 236 Massachusetts Avenue, NE, Suite 110, Washington, DC 20002. The filing hours at this location are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. All hand deliveries must be held together with rubber bands or fasteners. Any envelopes must be disposed of before entering the building. Commercial overnight mail (other than U.S. Postal Service Express Mail and Priority Mail) must be sent to 9300 East Hampton Drive, Capitol Heights, MD 20743. U.S. Postal Service first-class mail, Express Mail, and Priority Mail should be addressed to 445 12th Street, SW, Washington, DC 20554. All filings must be addressed to the Commission's Secretary, Marlene H. Dortch, Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, SW, Room TW-A325 Washington, DC 20554. Parties who choose to file by paper should also submit their comments on diskette. These diskettes should be submitted to: Erica Myers, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, SW, Room 5-C212, Washington DC 20554. Such a submission should be on a 3.5 inch diskette formatted in an IBM compatible format using Word 97 or compatible software. The diskette should be accompanied by a cover letter and should be submitted in ``read only'' mode. The diskette should be clearly labeled with the commenter's name, proceeding (including the lead docket number in this case, CC Docket No. 98-67, type of pleading (comment or reply comment), date of submission, and the name of the electronic file on the diskette. The label should also include the following phrase ``Disk Copy--Not an Original.'' Each diskette should contain only one party's pleadings, preferably in a single electronic file. In addition, commenters must send diskette copies to the Commission's copy contractor, Qualex International, Portals II, 445 12th Street, SW, Room CY-B402, Washington, DC 20554. This proceeding shall be treated as a ``permit- but-disclose'' proceeding in accordance with the Commission's ex parte rules. See 47 CFR 1.1200 and 1.1206. Persons making oral ex parte presentations are reminded that memoranda summarizing the presentations must contain summaries of the substance of the presentations and not merely a listing of the subjects discussed. More than a one or two sentence description of the views and arguments presented is generally required. See 47 CFR 1.1206(b). Other rules pertaining to oral and written ex parte presentations in permit-but-disclose proceedings are set forth in Sec. 1.1206(b) of the Commission's rules, 47 CFR 1.1206(b). Alternative formats (computer diskette, large print, audio recording and Braille) are available to persons with disabilities by contacting Brian Millin, of the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau, at (202) 418-7426, TTY (202) 418-7365, or e-mail at bmillin@fcc.gov. This document can also be downloaded in Text and ASCII formats at: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/dro.

Federal Communications Commission. Margaret M. Egler, Deputy Chief, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau.

[FR Doc. 02-21301Filed8-23-02; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6712-01-P