FCC takes step to replace TTY with real-time text (RTT) technology, points to text-to-911 adoption

 “We cannot underestimate what we did with the real-time-text item today,” Wheeler said. “Millions of Americans who are hard of hearing, speech-disabled, deaf and blind, now have the opportunity to communicate in real time over IP networks.

“The challenge that we have—the responsibility that we have—is to make sure that we harness IP … to attack the challenges that have affected many and have not had technical solutions until this point. Today, we took a big step forward on that.”

FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai voted for the matter, noting that it represents a reversal of philosophy by the commission on its text-to-911 ruling in 2014—an item that Pai voted against, because he felt that SMS was too limited as a technology to be used for something as important as public-safety communications and next-generation 911 (NG911).

“My views did not carry the day back then, but I’m glad that they are reflected in this rulemaking,” Pai said during the meeting. “The notice acknowledges what it describes as ‘major concerns’ with SMS-based text messaging. It tentatively concludes that RTT will be a more reliable solution for emergency communications. It also recognizes the view that RTT can have a broader and beneficial impact on the NG911 transition.

“We are finally moving in the right direction on these issues, and I hope that we’re able to finish our work with dispatch for the benefit of all Americans with hearing and speech disabilities.”

Wheeler said during the press conference that he disagreed with Pai’s position when the text-to-911 rulemaking was conducted, because RTT was not a viable option at the time. But Wheeler said he believe RTT can play a significant role in the future of 911.

“I think what we’re doing is setting up a situation that allows that to evolve,” Wheeler said. “I think that RTT creates a great new opportunity for us, including on 911.”