For Immediate Release
1200 G Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20005
202/628-6380
202/393-5453 (fax)
Contact: John Bernhards
Director of Public Relations
Phone: 202/434-8850
E-mail: jbernhards@atis.org
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For Immediate Release
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Wireless
Carriers Prepared to Meet FCC Deadline for TTY Deployment Over Digital Networks
ATIS-Sponsored TTY Forum Determines Wireless Infrastructure
Ready for Deployment
June 24, 2002, Washington, D.C. - Leading U.S. wireless service providers, participating in the ATIS-sponsored Text Telephony (TTY) Forum, reported that they are prepared to meet the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) June 30, 2002, deadline which requires wireless networks to be TTY compatible. Wireless carriers participating in the TTY Forum include AT&T Wireless, Cingular, Nextel, Sprint PCS and VoiceSteam.
TTY capability enables the hearing impaired to use TTY devices over wireless networks. After more than five years of technical development and testing, the TTY Forum determined that the wireless infrastructure is ready for TTY deployment. The Forum will send a statement to the FCC reflecting the readiness of the wireless industry.
While TTY devices have been in use over wireline networks for many years, technical challenges faced its implementation over wireless networks. The TTY Forum advised in the development of standards that provide an interface between the TTY device and mobile phones. The ATIS-sponsored TTY Technical Standards Implementation (TTSI) Incubator completed the testing for the TTY interface standards. Different standards were established for every wireless technology including CDMA, TDMA, and GSM in order to support digital transmission over voice channels.
The TTY Forum began work in 1997 to address the TTY wireless network challenge. TTY devices communicate using a five bit binary code called Baudot, which was invented in the 1800s for use with telegraph lines. The Forum utilized the Baudot technology, and modified the PCS wireless infrastructure to be compatible with Baudot transmission.
A TTY is a special device that allows people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech-impaired to use telecommunications networks to communicate, by allowing them to type messages. A TTY device is required to both send and receive TTY communications.
The ATIS-sponsored TTY Forum is comprised of wireless carriers and wireless phone manufacturers, manufacturers of Text Telephones (TTYs), emergency and relay service providers (9-1-1 and TRS), and consumer organizations representing individuals who are deaf and hard-of-hearing. The Forum develops alternatives that provide the deaf and hard of hearing, as well as those with speech or language disabilities, with access to digital wireless communications, through the use of a TTY device.
About ATIS
The Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS) is a member company organization that is the leader for standards and operating procedures for the telecommunications industry. More than 400 telecommunications companies participate in ATIS' 20 committees, forums, and Incubator Solutions programs, where work focus includes wireline and wireless network interconnection standards, number portability, improved data transmission, Internet telephony, toll-free access, telecom fraud, and order and billing issues, among others. ATIS is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Visit the ATIS web site at www.atis.org.
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