FCC Replaces Wireless Carrier Annual HAC Reports With Certification, Disclosure Duties
The FCC revised rules for wireless handset hearing-aid compatibility, replacing annual service provider reporting with certification and enhanced website disclosure duties. Commissioners unanimously approved an order containing some tweaks to a draft, as expected (see 1811090041). Commissioner Mike O'Rielly said more changes should have been made to certification details that appear impractical.
Sign up for a free preview to unlock the rest of this article
Communications Daily is required reading for senior executives at top telecom corporations, law firms, lobbying organizations, associations and government agencies (including the FCC). Join them today!
Wireless providers must post "up-to-date and accessible information" about HAC handsets on their sites, and certify annually their compliance, the FCC said. It's eliminating a provider duty to file Form 655 reports annually -- keeping the requirement for handset manufacturers -- and established a transition from the reporting to certification obligations.
Chairman Ajit Pai said providers must "post on their websites the most critical information currently submitted" on Form 655. "This step is broadly supported by the hearing loss community, nationwide, rural, and regional wireless service providers, and handset manufacturers," he said. "Because current reporting requirements will remain in place for device manufacturers, we believe that the rules ... will make it easier for consumers to find the information they need while simultaneously relieving small companies from filling out unnecessary paperwork." Commissioner Brendan Carr said the decision "strikes the right balance" between updating rules to reflect market changes and ensuring consumer access to information.
O'Rielly welcomed a change to broaden the scope of provider officials eligible to sign certifications, from officers to "knowledgeable executives." He had proposed language "to substitute the personal knowledge attestation with a certification that procedures are in place to ensure the provider is complying." While the words "personal knowledge" were removed, "an executive still must certify that the provider was or was not in full compliance," said O'Rielly. "Unfortunately, we have a certification that looks to be rather unworkable, that entities may refuse to sign, and may have to be reconsidered."
Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel said colleagues worked with her "to make sure that the information available online features a date and includes a link" to the agency's HAC resources: "This will help those with difficulty hearing access information more easily.”
Competitive Carriers Association members continue working with others "to achieve the important goal of meeting current and future HAC requirements" to benefit consumers, said President Steven Berry. "Ensuring that all wireless carriers, including those serving rural areas of the country, can provide HAC-compliant devices to their consumers is critically important."
“The wireless industry continues to lead the way in offering devices and services that are accessible to people with disabilities," said Scott Bergmann, CTIA senior vice president-regulatory affairs. "By reducing outdated and unnecessary paperwork, wireless providers will be better equipped to communicate to consumers about the wide range of hearing aid-compatible devices.”
Commissioners Thursday also approved an array of space-related items, including four non-geostationary orbit constellations that could mean upwards of 7,000 additional satellites in orbit in coming years (see 1811150028).