[Federal Register: November 15, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 220)]
[Notices]
[Page 66527-66528]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr15no06-61]
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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
[WT Docket No. 06-203; DA 06-2285]
Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Seeks Comment on Topics To Be
Addressed in Hearing Aid Compatibility Report
AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: This document seeks comment on the three topics to be
addressed in the Hearing Aid Compatibility staff report to assist in
the examination of three topics: The impact of our rules in achieving
greater compatibility between hearing aids and digital wireless phones;
the development of new technologies that could provide greater or more
efficient accessibility of wireless telecommunications to hearing aid
users; and the impact of the compatibility requirements on cochlear
implant and middle ear implant users and their ability to use digital
wireless phones.
DATES: Comments are due December 15, 2006 and Reply comments are due
January 5, 2007.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by WT Docket No. 06-203,
by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Federal Communications Commission's Web Site: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/ecfs/.
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
People with Disabilities: Contact the FCC to request
reasonable accommodations (accessible format documents, sign language
interpreters, CART, etc.) by e-mail: FCC504@fcc.gov or phone: 202-418-
0530 or TTY: 202-418-0432.
For detailed instructions for submitting comments and additional
information on the rulemaking process, see the SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION section of this document.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christina Clearwater or Peter
Trachtenberg, Spectrum & Competition Policy Division, Wireless
Telecommunications Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, (202)
418-1310.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On November 8, 2006, the Wireless
Telecommunications Bureau released a public notice in which it seeks
comments on topics to be addressed in the hearing aid compatibility
report. Interested parties may file comments by December 15, 2006 and
reply comments by January 5, 2007.
Background
On August 13, 2003, the Commission released the Hearing Aid
Compatibility Report and Order, 68 FR 54,173, September 16, 2003 which
adopted several measures to enhance the ability of persons with hearing
disabilities to access digital wireless telecommunications. Among other
actions, the Commission established technical standards that digital
wireless handsets must meet to be considered hearing aid-compatible,
including a standard for radio frequency interference that would enable
acoustic coupling between hearing aids and digital wireless phones, and
a separate standard for handset production of an audio signal-based
magnetic field that would enable inductive coupling between digital
wireless phones and hearing aids operating in telecoil mode. The
Commission further established phased-in deployment benchmark dates for
the offering of hearing aid-compatible digital wireless handset models.
In particular, the Commission required handset manufacturers and
providers of public mobile services that did not fall within the de
minimis exception to offer, for each air interface they use, at least
two digital wireless handset models that meet the Commission's radio
frequency interference standard by September 16, 2005, and to ensure
that at least 50 percent of their handset offerings for each air
interface comply with the interference standard by February 18, 2008.
The Commission further required these entities to offer at least two
handset models for each air interface they used that comply with the
technical standard for inductive coupling by September 18, 2006. In
order to monitor efforts to make compliant handsets available, the
Commission required manufacturers and wireless carriers to report every
six months on efforts toward compliance with the hearing aid-
compatibility requirements for the first three years of implementation
(on May 17, 2004, November 17, 2004, May 17, 2005, November 17, 2005,
May 17, 2006, and November 17, 2006), and then annually thereafter
through the fifth year of implementation (on November 19, 2007, and
November 17, 2008).
In addition to establishing these requirements, the Commission
provided that, ``[s]hortly after three years after the effective date
of this Order, FCC staff will deliver to the Commission a report'' that
examines three topics: (1) ``the impact of our rules in achieving
greater compatibility between hearing aids and digital wireless
phones;'' (2) ``the development of new technologies that could provide
greater or more efficient accessibility of wireless telecommunications
to hearing aid users;'' and (3) ``the impact of this Order's
compatibility requirements on cochlear implant and middle ear implant
users and their ability to use digital wireless phones.'' The
Commission stated that the report would ``form the basis for the
Commission to initiate a proceeding to evaluate: (1) Whether to
increase [or] decrease the 2008 requirement to provide 50 percent of
phone models that comply with a U3 rating; (2) whether to adopt HAC
implementation benchmarks beyond 2008; and (3) whether to
[[Page 66528]]
otherwise modify the HAC requirements.''
The Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (Bureau) now invites the
public to comment on the three topics to be addressed in the staff
report. As the Bureau will examine the filed compliance reports as part
of its review of these issues, parties that have filed such reports
need not re-file the same information in response to this Public
Notice. Interested parties may file comments no later than December 15,
2006. Reply comments are due no later than January 5, 2007. All filings
should refer to WT Docket No. 06-203.
Comments may be filed using the Commission's Electronic Comment
Filing System (ECFS) or by filing paper copies. See Electronic Filing
of Documents in Rulemaking Proceedings, 63 FR 24121, May 1, 1998.
Comments filed through the ECFS can be sent as an electronic file via
the Internet to http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/ecfs/. Generally, only one copy
of an electronic submission must be filed. If multiple docket or
rulemaking numbers appear in the caption of this proceeding, however,
commenters must transmit one electronic copy of the comments to each
docket or rulemaking number referenced in the caption. In completing
the transmittal screen, commenters should include their full name, U.S.
Postal Service mailing address, and the applicable docket or rulemaking
number. Parties may also submit an electronic comment by Internet e-
mail. To get filing instructions for e-mail comments, commenters should
send an e-mail to ecfs@fcc.gov, and should include the following words
in the body of the message, ``get form.'' A sample form and directions
will be sent in reply. Parties who choose to file by paper must file an
original and four copies of each filing. If more than one docket or
rulemaking number appears in the caption of this proceeding, commenters
must submit two additional copies for each additional docket or
rulemaking number.
Filings can be sent by hand or messenger delivery, by commercial
overnight courier, or by first-class or overnight U.S. Postal Service
mail (although we continue to experience delays in receiving U.S.
Postal Service mail). The Commission's contractor will receive hand-
delivered or messenger-delivered paper filings for the Commission's
Secretary at 236 Massachusetts Avenue, NE., Suite 110, Washington, DC
20002.
--The filing hours at this location are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
--All hand deliveries must be held together with rubber bands or
fasteners.
--Any envelopes must be disposed of before entering the building.
--Commercial overnight mail (other than U.S. Postal Service Express
Mail and Priority Mail) must be sent to 9300 East Hampton Drive,
Capitol Heights, MD 20743.
--U.S. Postal Service first-class mail, Express Mail, and Priority Mail
should be addressed to 445 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20554.
--All filings must be addressed to the Commission's Secretary, Office
of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission.
Three (3) copies of the comments and reply comments should also be
sent to the Spectrum & Competition Policy Division, Wireless
Telecommunications Bureau, 445 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20554,
Attn: Christina Clearwater and Peter Trachtenberg. Parties shall also
send one copy to Best Copy and Printing, Inc., Portals II, 445 12th
Street, SW., Room CY-B402, Washington, DC 20554, (800) 378-3160, or via
e-mail to Joshir@erols.com.
Comments filed in response to the public notice are available for
public inspection and copying during business hours in the FCC
Reference Information Center, Portals II, 445 12th Street SW., Room CY-
A257, Washington, DC 20554. The comments may also be purchased from
Best Copy and Printing, Inc., telephone (800) 378-3160, facsimile (301)
816-0169.
Federal Communications Commission.
James D. Schlichting,
Deputy Chief, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau.
[FR Doc. E6-19254 Filed 11-14-06; 8:45 am]
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