Important Information Regarding your VRS
and IP Relay 10-Digit Telephone Number

As of December 31, 2008 all internet-based VRS and IP Relay Service providers are required to assign a local 10-digit telephone number to you, their customer. In order to acquire a 10-digit telephone number, you must first register with a VRS and/or IP Relay provider of your choice. The 10-digit telephone number looks like the one you were assigned by your local telephone company or wireless provider but will allow you to make and receive calls using VRS and/or IP Relay services without having to use IP addresses. To get more information on acquiring a 10-digit telephone number, click here.

Your 10-digit number can be transferred to or from VRS and/or IP relay Service providers as well as:

• Wireless carriers
• Cable providers
• Local telephone company, or
• VoIP carriers

This process, called "porting", can be done by contacting the VRS or IP Relay Service provider that you want to become your new provider.

Things to consider before transferring your 10-digit telephone number:

General

• Ask your new provider what features are and are not available. Make sure the services and features you want and need are available. (Refer to Services and Features below.)
• The transfer is not immediate. Check with your new provider to find out how long it will take before your new service is set up.
• If you move from state to state, check with your new provider to determine if you need a new local 10-digit number.
• When you move and/or change your number, you must register your location information (name and address) with your new or current provider. This is very important for E-911 service to work properly.
• As noted above, during the porting process to your new provider, there may be a period of "mixed service" - when your 10-digit telephone number may be transitioning from one provider to another. During this time period, your E911 service may be affected. The call should go through, but the 911 operator may not be able to call you back if the call gets disconnected. For this reason, before porting a number, ask your new provider how long the porting process will take and how it will affect a 911 call.

Service and Features

• If you transfer your local home or business telephone number to a VRS and/or IP Relay Service provider, you, and other hearing individuals that use this number, may lose features and functionality that rely on telephone connectivity, such as:
  • dial-up, broadband (e.g., DSL or FiOS), or VoIP internet connection
  • fax capability
  • voice mail capability
  • home/business alarm system monitoring
  • medical monitoring capability
  • credit card authorization systems
• If you transfer your local home or business telephone number to a VRS and/or IP Relay Service provider, you will lose TTY access to your State Relay or TTY to TTY calling
• If you transfer your wireless (pager) service number to a VRS and/or IP Relay Service provider, you may lose the use of your wireless pager completely, including any features normally accessed by the device such as:
  • customized text relay applications,
  • AOL Instant Messaging,
  • e-mail access
  • web browsing capability
• If you transfer your VRS and IP Relay Service number to a local home or business telephone or wireless service provider you may lose access to:
  • VRS or IP relay services
  • features such as video or text mail
• If you transfer your VRS and/or IP Relay Service number from one VRS and/or IP Relay Service provider to another VRS and/or IP Relay Service provider, you may lose some or all provider-specific relay features
• If you transfer your VRS and/or IP Relay Service number from VRS to IP Relay service within the same VRS and/or IP Relay Service provider you may lose video service functions and capabilities
• If you transfer your VRS and/or IP Relay Service number from IP Relay service to VRS within the same VRS and/or IP Relay Service provider you may lose access to all text relay service functions and capabilities

Before changing VRS and/or IP Relay Service providers:

1. Do not cancel service with your current provider until you have registered with your new provider.
2. You must contact your new provider who will begin the transfer process by contacting your existing provider on your behalf.
3. Your new provider will ask you to provide specific information such as:
   1. name
   2. street address
   3. city
   4. state
   5. zip code
   6. 10-digit telephone number
   7. other information as required by your new provider
4. Your new provider will require you to sign a "letter of agency" in order to begin the transfer process.
5. If your current provider is not an VRS and IP Relay Service provider, you may be required to pay:
   1. Local telephone early termination fees
   2. Cable contract early termination fees
   3. Wireless service contract early termination fees
   4. Any outstanding balance due
      

Please refer to http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/numbport.html for additional information. Full details of the FCC order on 10-digit numbers can be found by clicking this link: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-08-151A1.doc.