About Local 10-digit Numbers
Benefits of Having a Local 10-digit Number
Working with Local 10-digit Numbers
All About E911
About Local Number Portability
About Purple Numbers, My IP Relay Numbers, and i711 Call Me Numbers
What's True and What's False about Local 10-digit numbers?
About Default Providers
Using Purple Number, My IP Relay Numbers, and i711 Call Me Numbers
Choosing How You'll Receive Calls (VRS only)
Glossary of Terms
Q. What is a local 10-digit number?
A. A local 10-digit number is your own personal telephone number, just like the ones hearing people have. It is unique and no one else can have the same phone number as you. It starts with three numbers other than 800, 877, or 866.
- A 10-digit number enables you to receive incoming calls from hearing friends, family, and business associates directly on the videophone you have today or your Mobile Video Phone, or through AIM on your computer or wireless device.
- Deaf friends can also call you directly on your videophone by using your local 10-digit number.
Q. What is NOT a local 10-digit number?
A. "Proxy" or "alias" VP numbers are not considered real local numbers. Toll free numbers that start with 800, 888, 877, 866 are real phone numbers but are not LOCAL numbers.
Q. What did the FCC decide about local 10-digit numbers?
A. By December 31, 2008 all relay providers must complete the following:
- Adopt of a local 10-digit telephone numbering system VRS and text relay services.
- Set up a Default Provider/Preferred Provider Registration Process
- Set up a data base for all local 10-digit numbers
- Ensure customers can transfer numbers to other providers (Local Number Portability or "LNP").
- Comply with all E911 Emergency Call Handling Requirements
- Ensure users can choose any relay provider for their text relay or VRS calls.
Q. What is required by the FCC?
A. Relay users must register with a relay provider to get a local 10-digit number and
9-1-1 services.
Q. What is E911
A. E911 refers to a service the FCC requires all relay providers to offer. By offering E911, relay providers make it easier for you to dial 9-1-1 using VRS or text relay to receive emergency assistance. You can read more about E911 in this FAQ as well as in our E911 vlogs.
Q. What is "Functional Equivalency"?
A. Functional Equivalency is the ability for deaf or hard of hearing people to communicate using relay with the same ease and convenience hearing users communicate using telephones. This represents equal opportunity, equal rights, equal access to telecommunications services and fuller participation in society by deaf or hard-of-hearing people using technologies such as IP-based VRS and text relay services.
Q. What is an Alternate Provider?
A. An Alternate Provider is the VRS or text relay provider through whom you'd like to make your relay calls. For example, if you have a videophone from Sorenson, you can still choose to make calls through Hands On VRS. In this case, Hands On VRS would be your alternate or preferred provider.
Q. What is a Default Provider?
A. Your Default Provider is the VRS or TRS provider with whom you choose to register with to obtain a 10-digit telephone number, provide 9-1-1 service, and manage your relay equipment (e.g. Videophone)
Q. What is a Preferred Provider?
A. A Preferred Provider is the same as Alternate Provider.
Q. What is Local Number Portability (LNP)?
A. When you get your local 10-digit number, it becomes yours to keep and use regardless of your relay provider. If, after you sign up for your number, you decide you want this number to be handled through a different relay provider, you can transfer your number. The ability to do this is called "Local Number Portability" or "LNP" or "PORTING."
Q. What is a domain name?
A. A domain name is a simpler way to represent an IP-address. For example, instead of dialing around using the Hands On VRS IP address, you would simply use the hovrs.tv domain name. Domain names are used on the web to identify specific web pages. For example for the web page http://www.ip-relay.com, "ip-relay" is the domain name.
Q. What is an IP Address?
A. An IP address is an ID number for a computer or device on the internet or other network. Relay users set their local 10-digit numbers to ring at their videophone by entering their videophone's IP address to their profile and keeping this address up to date.
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Q. Why should I register for a local 10-digit number? What are the benefits?
A. A local 10-digit number will make you more accessible, will make reaching you more efficient, and you'll be safer because of better 9-1-1 call handling.
More accessible: You will be able to receive calls from other deaf friends on videophones using your 10-digit number. Hearing friends will also be able to call your local 10-digit number to call you through VRS or IP-Relay. Also, when you dial someone using VRS, your 10-digit number is displayed for them using "Caller ID", making it more likely for them to answer your call since they will recognize your number.
More Efficient Contact: It will be faster and easier for hearing people to call you because they can dial you directly. They'll no longer need "proxy" or "alias" numbers. They won't need to dial 800 with an extension, so your number will be easier to use and remember!
Safer use of 9-1-1. Registered 10-digit number users have their emergency 9-1-1 calls handled more efficiently, more accurately, and emergency assistance is dispatched to them more quickly. Note: To receive this 9-1-1 service, you must include your home address when you set up your 10-digit number.
A local 10-digit number can be used with any device, and can be transferred to any relay provider.
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Q. I already have an 800/866 number for video relay service or text relay service. Will I be able to continue to use these numbers?
A. Yes. While we will continue to support the use of 800 and 866 numbers, we recommend that you register for a local 10-digit number for the reasons outlined here.
Q. How does a hearing person call a local 10-digit number?
A. When you give your local 10-digit number to a hearing person, they can call your number by dialing it on any telephone. A relay operator answers the call and connects it directly to you through VRS or TRS, depending on the number you've set up. If you've a VRS user, you'll receive your call on your videophone or other device. If you're a text relay user, your call will come in on AOL Instant Messaging Service (AIM) on your computer, or through AIM or equivalent on your wireless device.
Q. How does a "deaf-to-deaf" video call work with local 10-digit numbers?
A. When using a videophone that works with the new system, a deaf person can dial another deaf person's local 10-digit number, and connect directly. Sometimes called a "Point-to-point" call, this call would have been made by using IP addresses before local 10-digit numbers were available.
Q. What is Caller ID?
A. Caller ID is a feature that allows your local 10-digit number to be viewed by the person you're calling. Also, when you receive incoming calls, Caller ID allows you to see the number of the person who is calling you. This feature exists on many videophones today. (This feature, also known as Automatic Number Identification (ANI) is an important of E911emergency services call handling and dispatching).
Q. How do I stop telemarketers from calling my local 10-digit number?
A. You should register your 10-digit telephone number on the National Do Not Call Registry. This will prevent most telemarketing calls from getting through. Go to www.donotcall.gov to register your number
Q. How do I remove my local 10-digit number from the National Do Not Call Registry?
A. Simply contact Customer Care and inform the representative that you wish to remove your Purple Number™, My IP Relay Number™, or i711 Call Me™ number from the Do Not Call Registry and he/she will do the rest.
Q. What is a 1-900 number?
A. Phone numbers that start with 900 are special information numbers that some businesses use for different services. If you call one of these numbers, you will be per-minute charges and extra fees by the company.
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Q. Can I dial 9-1-1 using my VRS or text relay service?
A. Yes, but we urge you to call 9-1-1 using your TTY (if available) for emergency calls to avoid possible life-threatening delay.
If you need to contact 9-1-1 using relay, your relay provider will route your emergency call over the wireline E911 network to the nearest public safety answering point (PSAP) based on your registered address.
When using relay for your emergency calls, be sure to describe your name, location and any important information clearly so the operator can quickly contact your local emergency response center. Watch our E911 vlog for more information.
Q. How do I call 9-1-1 using video or text relay?
A. Simply dial 9-1-1 from the device where you're using relay (Examples: Your videophone or from the relay site on your computer or the relay application on your wireless device). Our operators will still verify your location even if you have a registered location on file. Be sure to clearly describe your emergency and any other identifying information at the beginning of the call. If you use your videophone to call 9-1-1, be sure to dial vrs911.tv only when you have an emergency.
Q. Why must I provide you with a registered location address for E911 Service?
A. To make sure the emergency personnel (police, fire, ambulance) know where to go in an emergency.
Q. Is a P.O. Box an acceptable address for E911 Service?
A. No. The address you provide is the physical address where you want emergency personnel to go in an emergency. Emergency services cannot be dispatched to post office box addresses. Here are examples of acceptable and unacceptable address formats:
Acceptable Address:
123 West 1st Street
Apt #123
Anytown, Anystate 99999
Unacceptable Address:
P.O. Box 1234
Anytown, Anystate 99999
Q. Must I notify my relay provider if I move or change my current address?
A. Yes, you must remember to update your E911 Address information. You should do this so that if/when you are in need of help, emergency services personnel are dispatched to the correct address to render aid. It is your responsibility to ensure that this information is up-to-date.
You can update your E911 address information by signing into your account on either www.hovrs.com or www.i711.com. If you are an IP-Relay customer, sign into My Profiles on www.ip-relay.com.
Q. What would happen if I was disconnected from the operator during a 9-1-1 call?
A. The operator would immediately attempt to call you back using your 10-digit telephone number.
Q. Is it possible that the 9-1-1 dispatch center could be disconnected from the operator during a 9-1-1 call?
A. Yes, which is another reason it's important for you to have a 10-digit number. When a disconnect occurs, your 10-digit number is the best way for the operator/interpreter to call you back, or for emergency personnel to contact you. Please keep in mind that if you are a text relay customer, you must be logged onto AIM in order to receive this inbound call.
Q. How is this different from the way 9-1-1 calls are handled today?
A. New features that are part of the process can improve call handling.
For example, now that we have your name and geographical location connected with your local 10-digit number in our database as well as the 9-1-1 national database. In that case, your address can be passed to emergency personnel immediately during the call, This makes Emergency services dispatching much faster and more reliable.
Q. What information should I provide when I call 9-1-1?
A. Be sure to tell the VI / CA the following information:
- Your current street address (where are you?)
- Your name
- What is the emergency
- Any additional information that will help the emergency personnel
Q. How do I dial 9-1-1 from a videophone?
A. Most videophones should allow you to dial the numbers "911" to reach emergency help. If not, use the dns address of your provider for emergency calls. (Examples: for Hands On VRS, use vrs911.tv; for i711 VRS, i711.tv.
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Q. What is Local Number Portability (LNP)?
A. When you get your local 10-digit number, it becomes yours to keep and use regardless of your relay provider. If, after you sign up for your number, you decide you want this number to be handled through a different relay provider, you can transfer your number. The ability to do this is called "Local Number Portability" or "LNP" or "PORTING."
Q. Can I transfer my home telephone number or my wireless number to my relay provider and use that as my local 10-digit number?
A. Yes. The FCC requires that any 10-digit number be allowed to be transferred.
However, there are things you should know before you transfer a home phone or wireless phone number. Please click here for more information about local number portability.
Q. How do I port my number to a Purple relay service like Hands On VRS, i711.com or IP-Relay?
A. You will need to create a new account on either the HOVRS.com , i711.com or ip-relay.com website and then enter your LNP order request. When that is complete, you will be given a toll-free number to call to complete your registration.
Q. Do I need to sign any papers in order to transfer my local 10-digit number?
A. Yes, you will be asked to authorize the transfer by submitting a Letter of Authorization (LOA) to your new provider.
The LOA is required by the FCC and is the way that we know that you have proactively decided to transfer your telephone number. In most cases this can be done electronically but, this may also include other in the future.
Q. How long does it take to transfer my number?
A. Generally 5-10 business days. But don't worry, throughout the process, you will still be able to use your 10-digit telephone number. Do not cancel your service with your current provider until you have registered with your new provider.
Q. Can I transfer my Local 10-digit Number from one relay provider to another relay provider?
A. Yes. you can move your local 10-digit number to the relay provider of your choice.
Q. Are there any 10-digit numbers that cannot be transferred to another provider?
A. Only in very rare cases are local numbers no able to be transferred. Also, review our LNP Advisory for information about transferring home phone and wireless phone numbers. Transferring could affect some of the features you have on those lines.
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Q. What is a Purple Number? Is it the same thing in VRS and Text Relay?
A. A Purple Number is a local 10-digit number that enables users to make and receive calls more easily from a videophone and certain applications. Purple Communications, the company that provides Hands On VRS, IP-Relay, and i711.com service has developed Purple Numbers for its Hands On VRS customers.
MyIPRelay Numbers on IP-Relay, and i711 Call Me numbers on i711.com, both of which are local 10-digit numbers for text relay users.
Q. Why choose a Purple Number over other providers' local 10-digit numbers?
A. When you select a Purple Number, callers who dial it will be routed through Hands On VRS, for the call. This means a quality Hands On VRS video interpreter will handle your call, and you can be sure of a quick, professional call experience.
Q. Do local numbers work differently on Text Relay and Video Relay?
A. Yes.
VRS users: When a hearing person calls your local 10-digit number, the call goes to a Video Interpreter who will contact you on your videophone, your MVP, or on VideoSign on your computer. When you dial another video relay user, they receive your call on your videophone, your MVP, or on VideoSign on their computer.
Text Relay Users: When a hearing person calls your local 10-digit telephone number, the call is routed to our relay call centers and the operator contacts you through AIM.
Unlike video relay, text relay does not allow you to contact another deaf user directly.
Q. What if someone dials my local 10-digit number, but I'm not available to take the call?
A. It works the same as it always has. Depending on your relay provider, if you are not available to take the call, our video interpreter or operator will take a message and send that message to your e-mail address. These messages will be in video or text form depending on the service being used.
Q. What is the cost of getting a Local phone number?
A. There is no cost for relay users to obtain 10-digit telephone numbers
Q. Does the person calling me get charged a fee?
A. Depending on where the voice caller is calling from and the 10-digit telephone number that you select there may be a long distance toll charge. This is functionally equivalent to every other phone call that a voice person makes today.
Q. What if I don't want a hearing caller to incur long distance charges by calling my Local Number?
A. Most hearing callers are already used to paying for long distance calls. There are also many phone users whose price plans often include long distance at no additional charge. The hearing caller may also choose to use dial-around to contact you by dialing our 800# and then providing the VI or CA with your 10-digit telephone number.
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| TRUE |
FALSE |
TRUE: You can have as many 10-digit numbers as there are relay providers.
TRUE: Right now, you'll need one 10-digit number for text relay service and one 10-digit number for video relay services
|
FALSE: You can only have one local 10-digit number |
TRUE: You can place using any relay provider. Simply place the call as you do today. For example, a Sorenson user can choose Hands On VRS to handle their VRS calls by entering "hovrs.tv" on their videophone.
TRUE: Hearing callers simply dial the 800 number of the provider they want to use and then give the video interpreter or operator the 10-digit telephone number of the deaf person they are calling
|
FALSE: You can only make and receive calls only by using your Default Provider. |
TRUE: Relay providers are not authorized to take away your videophone or other device. You may use your local 10-digit number with any provider.
|
FALSE: Your relay provider will take away your videophone if you use a 10-digit number other than the one you received from them. |
TRUE: A "Purple Ticket Code" part of a promotion that allows a person to pre-register to get a Mobile Video Phone. A Purple Number is unrelated to this promotion.
|
FALSE: Purple Number is a code or a ticket tied to MVP. |
TRUE: You can use your Purple Number now with any videophone.
|
FALSE: You can only use a Purple Number with the MVP when the MVP comes out. |
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Q. What is a Default Provider?
A. A default provider is a relay provider that will:
- assign a user with a 10-digit telephone number;
- route all calls (inbound and outbound) on behalf of the user;
- route all 9-1-1 emergency calls;
- automatically update data bases with routing information to ensure proper routing of 9-1-1 calls.
- automatically update the IP address assigned to videophone and other equipment
- Maintain the FCC order and E911 advisory information on its website
- Remove 10-digit numbers from internal databases once they have been ported out to another provider
Q. Can I change my default provider?
A. Yes. You can change your default provider at any time.
Q. Can I continue to use my current videophone if I change default providers?
A. Yes you can. But you may lose certain features if you do. View our LNP Advisory for more information that will help guide you in your decision making.
Q. How do I get my own personal 10-digit telephone number?
A. It's really easy – just follow these easy steps:
- Create an account with us at one of these websites:
- www.purpleticket.hovrs.com-- If New User, enter Purple Ticket Code: localnumber
- www.i711.com/register.php
- www.ip-relay.com/register.php
You'll be asked to give us your name and address (no P.O. Boxes please!!) and a few other pieces of information like e-mail addresses and AIM screen names. We keep this information strictly confidential. We'll also ask you about your internet connection, your video equipment, and the type of information/subscriptions that you would like us to provide you.
- Then select your 10-digit telephone number by choosing:
- the State you live in
- an Area Code within your State
- the City you live in – if you don't see your city listed, select the one closest to you.
- One of the 10-digit telephone numbers that will be displayed on your screen
- Depending on whether you're setting up your number for use with text or video relay, you'll have a few other options to enter and set up. Complete these steps at this point.
- Review and verify your information and click Submit or Register
- Congratulations!! You're done! We will send you an e-mail with your 10-digit telephone number along with any necessary activation procedures and you'll be ready to go.
Q. Can I have more than one local 10-digit telephone number?
A. Yes. In some cases you will need to have two (2) personal 10-digit telephone numbers. For example, if you use both video and text relay, you will need to have one 10-digit telephone number for each service.
Q. Once I have a local 10-digit telephone number, what do I do with it?
A. Let all your deaf and hearing friends, family, and business associates know they can call you on your own personal number! You can share your new telephone number in several ways:
- Include it with your e-mail signature
- Add it to your business cards
- Print personalized business cards directly from the website (Hands On VRS only).
Q. Who would want to call me?
A. You'd be surprised!! Here are just a few examples
- The sales associate at Macy's found that dress you loved in your size. She can now call you to let you know it's in the store or she can ship it to you directly.
- Your son's teacher can call you to set a time for a parent-teacher conference.
- Your doctor can call you with your test results. Or maybe the
- Your can call to reschedule an appointment with you; if you're unavailable, she can leave a message and you'll receive that message in email.
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Q. How do I change or update my IP address or domain name?
A. It's easy. Go to http://purpleticket.hovrs.com. Then follow these steps:
- Sign in using the username and password that you registered with. Your "My Account" page will then be displayed.
- In the "My Info" box, click on the blue "Edit" button above the IP Address or Domain Name. Your "Settings Information" page will be displayed.
- Scroll down to "Where you receive incoming calls"
- Enter your new public IP Address or Domain Name in the box next to the "IP Address or Domain Name D-Link or PC Users"
- Click "Update"
Q. Can I automatically update my IP addresses or domain name?
A. If you use an MVP or VideoSign 3.0 on your computer, your IP address will be automatically updated when you login if it has changed since your last login.
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Alternate Provider – the VRS or text relay provider through whom you'd like to make your relay calls. For example, if you have a videophone from Sorenson, you can still choose to make calls through Hands On VRS. In this case, Hands On VRS would be your alternate or preferred provider.
Default Provider – the VRS or TRS provider with whom you choose to register with to obtain a 10-digit telephone number, provide 9-1-1 service, and manage your relay equipment (e.g. Videophone)
Dial Around – Choosing an alternate provider to handle your relay calls. For example, if you wanted to choose Hands On VRS to handle your calls from a Sorenson Videophone, you would enter "hovrs.tv" on the videophone device.
Domain Name – a simpler way to represent an IP-address. For example, instead of dialing around using the Hands On VRS IP address, you would simply use the hovrs.tv domain name. Domain names are used on the web to identify specific web pages. For example for the web page http://www.ip-relay.com, "ip-relay" is the domain name.
Functional Equivalency – the ability for deaf or hard of hearing users to communicate using relay with the same ease and convenience hearing users communicate using telephones. This represents equal opportunity, equal rights, equal access to telecommunications services and fuller participation in society by deaf or hard-of-hearing people using technologies such as IP-based VRS and text relay services.
i711 Call Me Number – a ten-digit number used to receive text relay calls from hearing individuals through AOL Instant Messaging (AIM).
IP Address - An ID number for a computer or device on the internet or other network. Relay users set their local 10-digit numbers to ring at their videophone by entering their videophone's IP address to their profile and keeping this address up to date.
Local Number Portability – the ability to transfer a local 10-digit number to and from VRS and TRS providers
My IP Relay Number – a ten-digit number used to receive text relay calls from hearing individuals via AOL Instant Messaging.
Preferred Provider – same as Alternate Provider
Port In – a competitor's customer transferring to HOVRS, IP-Relay, or i711
Port Out – a HOVRS, IP-Relay, or i711 customer transferring to a competitor's video or text relay service.
Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) – the agencies responsible for answering 9-1-1 calls for emergency assistance from police, fire, and ambulance services
Purple Number - a local ten-digit number provided by Hands On VRS and used to make or receive video relay calls on any videophone or through VideoSign software.
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