For our friends in the #USA from the #FCC: Comments Due: April 16, 2026
Reply Comments Due: May 18, 2026

On January 29, 2026, the FCC adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) proposing measures to enhance the effectiveness and functional equivalency of Internet-based Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) for individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind, or have speech disabilities. The FCC released the document on January 30, 2026, and established the comment period on March 17, 2026.

In the Notice, the FCC proposes and seeks comment on:
• Using automatic speech recognition and text-to-speech technologies for IP Relay;
• Developing quality metrics for IP Relay;
• Evaluating compatibility of IP Relay with Real-Time Text (RTT) technology;
• Adding captioning functionality to VRS platforms;
• Amending VRS calling rules for calls to U.S. embassies and consulates by U.S. residents while traveling abroad;
• Adjusting call center requirements;
• Streamlining TRS provider certification and user registration processes;
• Updating or eliminating obsolete rules; and
• Closing outdated dockets.

Interested parties may file comments by accessing the FCC’s Electronic Comment Filing System at https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/filings. All filings must reference CG Docket Nos. 03-123, 10-51, and 12-38. People with disabilities who need assistance to file comments online may request assistance by email to [email protected].

Link to the Internet-based TRS NPRM:
https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-proposes-additional-modernizations-agencys-trs-rules-0

Link to Public Notice Announcing Comment Dates:
https://www.fcc.gov/document/internet-based-trs-modernization-nprm-comment-dates-announced

For general questions about TRS, visit www.fcc.gov/trs. For further information about this item, please contact Joshua Mendelsohn, Disability Rights Office, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, at (202) 559-7304 (voice and videophone) or [email protected].