Press Release

PUC Partially Grants AT&T’s Increase Request for Telecommunications Relay Service

Published on 4/22/2010

Filed under: Telecommunications

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today partially approved AT&T’s request for an increase in its base rate per minute of use (MOU) for traditional Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS). The proposed tariff supplement that was originally filed on Sept. 10, 2009, with the Commission will increase the rate per MOU that AT&T charges the TRS Fund for traditional speech-to-speech and Spanish relay services, and for related intrastate calls within Pennsylvania.

The Commission voted 4-0 to approve a joint motion by PUC Chairman James H. Cawley and Vice Chairman Tyrone J. Christy, partially granting the company’s request.  The motion approves a base rate per MOU for traditional TRS of 92.45 percent of the AT&T requested base rate, which is 18 percent higher than the existing and currently effective base rate per MOU for traditional TRS.  The company had originally proposed an increase of 28 percent over the existing base rate per minute of use (MOU) for traditional intrastate TRS voice calls.  AT&T cited labor costs as the primary cost of providing TRS service, which enables people who are deaf, hard of hearing and speech impaired to communicate by phone with the hearing public.

“Partially granting AT&T’s request for an increase in its base TRS rate is well founded in view of the operational cost data and information that has been presented,” said Chairman Cawley.  Chairman Cawley emphasized the need for adequate cost support justifying AT&T’s base TRS rate, and the need for AT&T’s constructive cooperation with the Commission’s Bureau of Audits.

In a separate statement, Vice Chairman Christy said, “The relay center in western Pennsylvania employs approximately 170 management and non-management employees who provide this valuable service to Pennsylvanians as well as other residents across the country in the deaf, hard-of-hearing and speech-disabled communities.  I believe that we must strive to keep the current TRS center in Pennsylvania so that these key jobs and essential services are provided through this Commonwealth’s resources.  I look forward to working with AT&T management to explore all opportunities to maintain the Pennsylvania TRS center that provides such a valuable and essential service to so many members of our society.”

Pennsylvania TRS is mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. The service is provided by AT&T.  The program is regulated by the PUC and offers persons who are hearing, deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired persons three ways to connect using the telephone:  Traditional Relay, Video Relay, and Internet Relay.  Users dial 7-1-1 to connect to a skillfully-trained Communications Assistant (CA) who follows a strict code of ethics and confidentiality.  The CA then relays the message to the person on the other line.

A May 29, 1990, Commission Order approved a funding mechanism to recover charges associated with the TRS system and established the TRS Fund.  Specifically, wireline access lines are surcharged each month, and the monies are collected by local exchange carriers (LECs) and remitted to a Fund Administrator.  The Fund Administrator collects, disburses, and invests the monies of the Fund.  AT&T is compensated monthly from the Fund based on intrastate billable call minutes multiplied by the PUC-approved tariffed MOU rate.  The actual TRS MOU rate, which is the subject of this order, is not applied to end user bills.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities to ensure safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protect the public interest; educate consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; further economic development; and foster new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.

For recent news releases, audio of select Commission proceedings or more information about the PUC, visit our website at www.puc.state.pa.us.

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Docket Nos. R-2009-2130384; M-00900239

Contact:

• Denise McCracken
  Senior Communications Specialist
  717-787-5722
  demccracken@pa.gov