FCC Takes Action to Enhance Access to Digital Wireless Service for Individuals With Hearing Disabilities

The Enforcement Bureau of the Federal Communications Commission has taken action against several companies for their failure to provide information that helps individuals with hearing disabilities fully utilize wireless phone services - allowing them to communicate effectively on their wireless phones without excessive feedback and noise.

FCC rules require most digital wireless handset manufacturers and wireless service providers to make available a minimum number of hearing aid compatible handsets. In order to ensure that consumers have access to up-to-date information on the availability of those handsets, and to ensure that the Commission can monitor compliance, FCC rules also require these manufacturers and service providers to make periodic status reports and to post specific information on their public web sites. The reports and web content provide valuable information to the public concerning the technical testing and commercial availability of hearing aid-compatible handsets, both for consumers, particularly those with hearing disabilities, and for service providers seeking information regarding the hearing aid compatibility of manufacturers' products.

The rules at issue in this week's actions require the following:

1) Manufacturers were required to submit reports detailing their efforts toward compliance with the hearing aid compatibility requirements on January 15, 2009, on July 15, 2009, and must continue to file them on an annual basis on July 15 thereafter.

2) Service providers were required to submit status reports on January 15, 2009, and must continue to file them on an annual basis on January 15 thereafter.

3) Manufacturers and service providers with publicly-accessible web sites must also maintain a list of currently available hearing aid compatible handset models, the technical ratings of those models, and an explanation of the rating system.