ATIS Files Comments with FCC Offering Eight Key Guidelines for Hearing Aid Compatibility Requirements for Wireless Devices

January 31, 2007, Washington, DC – Through the ATIS Hearing Aid Compatibility (HAC) Incubator, wireless service providers, wireless manufacturers and advocates for consumers with hearing aids have collectively reached consensus on key principles surrounding the Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC) HAC requirements. These principles were outlined in comments filed to the FCC 06-203 Docket today by ATIS in response to the November 8, 2006, Public Notice requesting comments on topics to be addressed in the FCC’s Hearing Aid Compatibility report.

The eight principles agreed to by the wireless industry and advocates for consumers with hearing aids are:

1. The wireless industry and advocates for consumers with hearing aids are continuing to work together to address concerns of wireless consumers with hearing aids. All parties agree that recommendations for specific FCC rule changes regarding numbers of hearing aid compatible devices are premature and cannot be included in reply comments based on the on-going dialogue. Such recommendations will be filed in the near future either as a single agreement or in separate filings.
   
   
2. The ongoing dialogue between the wireless industry and advocates for consumers with hearing aids has been valuable and has afforded all parties with opportunities to better understand each others’ needs and concerns. The wireless industry better understands the needs of consumers with hearing aids in terms of the types of devices and services that are desired for making and receiving calls. Advocates for consumers with hearing aids better understand the technical challenges and operational complexities underlying the offering of hearing aid HAC compatible devices and services.
   
   
3. Hearing aid compatible wireless devices should support US bands. Design changes for HAC for purposes of accommodating compatibility should not diminish the overall performance of the devices.
   
   
4. In achieving an appropriate balance between consumers with hearing aids and technical challenges faced by the wireless industry, the FCC’s hearing aid compatibility requirements beginning in 2008 may need to be revised to reflect a reduction in the required minimum number of M-rated devices accompanied by an increase in the required minimum number of T-rated devices.
   
   
5. Notwithstanding the benchmarks and minimum requirements set forth in number (4) above, it is understood that the wireless industry has an obligation to incorporate HAC hearing aid compatibility wherever readily achievable.
   
   
6. The wireless industry is committed to offering all consumers, including those who wear hearing aids, a broad array of handset devices and services. Tier 1 service providers agree to include in their annual reports to the FCC information on product “tiering” of HAC hearing aid compatible wireless devices available to consumers.
   
   
7. The wireless industry and advocates for consumers with hearing aids agree there is a need to regularly “refresh” offerings of HAC hearing aid compatible devices. New technologies should also incorporate FCC HAC requirements to reflect advancements available in the mass market.
   
   
8. The wireless industry and advocates for consumers with hearing aids agree that there should be a review of HAC hearing aid compatibility milestones at a future date.
   

ATIS’ comments also noted that the wireless industry is continuing its work to ensure that wireless consumers with hearing aids have access to a broad variety of products and services, despite the technical challenges that have been identified.

The ATIS HAC Incubator works to identify and address key technical issues related to the advancement of the ANSI C63.19 Standard and achieving a broad range of hearing aid compatible wireless devices as required by the FCC. For more information on the ATIS HAC Incubator’s activities, visit the ATIS Web site at http://www.atis.org/hac.

About ATIS

ATIS is a leading standards development and technical planning organization that is committed to rapidly developing and promoting technical and operations standards for the communications and related information technologies industry worldwide using a pragmatic, flexible and open approach. Participants from more than 350 communications companies are active in ATIS’ 22 industry committees, Incubator Solutions Program, and other activities. www.atis.org