Rule2026-18478
Telecommunications Relay Service ASCII Format Requirement
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
September 10, 2026
Effective
October 13, 2026
Issuing agencies
Federal Communications Commission
Abstract
In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) amends its rules to eliminate the requirement that Text Telephone (TTY)-based Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) be capable of communicating in the American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII) format. By removing this outdated regulatory mandate, the Commission relieves TRS providers of the obligation to maintain costly and obsolete ASCII-compatible hardware and software systems. Eliminating this requirement will reduce inefficiencies, preserve the integrity of the TRS Fund, and allow providers to redirect resources toward modern relay technologies, all without adversely impacting functional equivalence for consumers who rely on TTY-based TRS.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 174 (Thursday, September 10, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 174 (Thursday, September 10, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 57513-57515]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-18478]
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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
47 CFR Part 64
[CG Docket No. 03-123, GN Docket No. 25-133; FCC 26-56; FR ID 366314]
Telecommunications Relay Service ASCII Format Requirement
AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: In this document, the Federal Communications Commission
(Commission) amends its rules to eliminate the requirement that Text
Telephone (TTY)-based Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) be
capable of communicating in the American Standard Code for Information
Interchange (ASCII) format. By removing this outdated regulatory
mandate, the Commission relieves TRS providers of the obligation to
maintain costly and obsolete ASCII-compatible hardware and software
systems. Eliminating this requirement will reduce inefficiencies,
preserve the integrity of the TRS Fund, and allow providers to redirect
resources toward modern relay technologies, all without adversely
impacting functional equivalence for consumers who rely on TTY-based
TRS.
DATES: Effective October 13, 2026.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joshua Mendelsohn, Disability Rights
Office, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, at (202) 559-7304 or
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2963465a415c4807644c474d4c455a464147694f4a4a074e465f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="bff5d0ccd7cade91f2dad1dbdad3ccd0d7d1ffd9dcdc91d8d0c9">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Commission's
Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for
Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities and Delete, Delete,
Delete, Report and Order (Order) in CG Docket No. 03-123 and GN Docket
No. 25-133, document FCC 26-56, adopted August 21, 2026 and released
August 25, 2026. The full text of this document is available online at
<a href="https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-26-56A1.pdf">https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-26-56A1.pdf</a>.
Paperwork Reduction Act: The Order does not contain new or modified
information collection requirements subject to the Paperwork Reduction
Act of 1995. In addition, therefore, it does not contain any new or
modified information collection burden for small business concerns with
fewer than 25 employees, pursuant to the Small Business Paperwork
Relief Act of 2002.
Congressional Review Act: The Commission has determined, and the
Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs,
Office of Management and Budget, concurs, that this rule is ``non-
major'' under the Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 804(2). The
Commission sent a copy of the Order to Congress and the Government
Accountability Office pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A).
Synopsis
1. Title IV of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA),
codified at section 225 of the Communications Act, requires the
Commission to ensure that TRS is available ``to the extent possible and
in the most efficient manner'' to enable people with hearing or speech
disabilities to communicate in a manner that is functionally equivalent
to voice communication service. 47 U.S.C. 225(a)(3), (b)(1). In
accordance with this directive, the Commission has adopted mandatory
minimum standards for TRS.
2. At that time, TTYs generally used the Baudot coding format, but
the ASCII format was widely used to transmit data between personal
computers over the telephone network. The Commission, believing that
ASCII was ``a superior technology'' that would eventually supplant
Baudot as the preferred format, required that TRS be able to transmit
in both ASCII and Baudot at any speed generally in use. Over the last
three decades, technological advancements have revolutionized the TRS
landscape, and introduced forms of non-TTY-based TRS that do not rely
on the ASCII and Baudot formats to transmit information.
3. Baudot remains the predominant TTY-based TRS format, currently
accounting for almost all TTY-based TRS communications. Recognizing the
obsolescence of the ASCII format, T-Mobile Accessibility (T-Mobile)
filed a Petition for Rulemaking in August 2022, requesting the
Commission to amend Sec. 64.604(b)(1) of its rules, to eliminate the
ASCII requirement. T-Mobile noted that ASCII-based TTY calls represent
a tiny fraction of its overall TRS call minutes, and that complying
with the requirement forces providers to incur unnecessary hardware
costs and hinders network upgrades. Following a June 2023 request from
T-Mobile for a temporary waiver of the rule, the Consumer and
Governmental Affairs Bureau (Bureau) granted a conditional two-year
waiver of the ASCII requirement to T-Mobile and Hamilton on November
22, 2024. On June 27, 2025, the Commission released a Notice of
Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), published at 90 FR 164, August 27, 2025,
proposing to permanently delete the ASCII requirement from Sec.
64.604(b)(1) of the Commission's rules.
4. The Commission adopts its proposal to delete the requirement in
Sec. 64.604(b)(1) of its rules, 47 CFR 64.604(b)(1), that TTY-based
TRS support the ASCII format. The Commission also finds good cause to
eliminate the definition of ASCII from the Commission's TRS rules. The
record confirms that ASCII usage for TTY-based TRS is exceedingly small
and continues to shrink. Data provided in the NPRM indicated that in a
three-month period in 2022, total ASCII usage of TTY-based TRS did not
exceed 87 minutes, representing approximately 0.01 percent of total
TTY-based TRS minutes. Following waiver of the ASCII requirement in
November 2024, one TTY-based TRS provider reports that it has not had a
single request to have ASCII made available and the Commission has not
received any inquiries or complaints from consumers
[[Page 57514]]
regarding the availability of the ASCII-format.
5. Furthermore, the Commission concludes that there is no prospect
of a resurgence in ASCII usage. Stakeholders, including the
Telecommunications Equipment Distribution Program Association and the
National Association of State Relay Administrators, point out that
ASCII equipment is no longer commercially available, functional units
are increasingly difficult to locate, and the format is incompatible
with modern telephone networks. Because of these realities, the record
reflects unanimous support for the rule's elimination from both
providers and consumer advocacy groups that acknowledge the technology
is obsolete.
6. The Commission also deletes the second sentence of Sec.
64.604(b)(1) of the Commission's rules which currently states: ``Other
forms of TRS are not subject to this requirement.'' As noted in the
NPRM, because the first sentence of the revised provision explicitly
makes clear that the Baudot rule applies only to ``TTY-based relay
service,'' the second sentence is unnecessary surplusage.
7. Benefits and Costs. The record affirms the Commission's
tentative conclusion that the cost savings for TRS providers far
outweigh the negligible burdens of transitioning the few, if any,
remaining ASCII users. Maintaining the ASCII obligation imposes ongoing
software and network compatibility costs that yield no consumer benefit
and needlessly burden the TRS Fund. Removing this mandate allows
providers to redirect vital resources toward improving modern, widely
used relay technologies, such as Real-Time Text (RTT), Internet-
Protocol Relay, and Video Relay Service. The Commission concludes that
eliminating this requirement provides administrative and financial
relief. By freeing providers from maintaining obsolete hardware
platforms, providers can more easily execute necessary network
upgrades.
8. The record demonstrates that the number of consumers impacted by
this change is effectively zero. To the extent any legacy users remain,
the record shows that the transition process will be seamless and
straightforward. Switching from ASCII to Baudot does not require the
purchase of new equipment; a TTY user will only need to change a
setting on the user's existing TTY device, because most TTYs
automatically default to Baudot unless specifically configured to
ASCII-only. Providers have affirmed their readiness to assist any
affected users to ensure a seamless migration to Baudot or other modern
platforms. Because users can transition simply by adjusting their
device settings, and providers will offer technical support, the
Commission finds that mandating providers to supply new Baudot devices
at their own expense is unnecessary.
9. The Commission concludes that eliminating the ASCII requirement
is a targeted, common-sense reform that modernizes TRS regulations. The
substantial benefits of reduced network complexity, hardware cost
savings, and the ability to invest in modern technologies unequivocally
outweigh the minimal costs of transitioning remaining ASCII users.
10. Deleting the Definition of ASCII. The Commission also deletes
the definition of ASCII from the TRS rules. Under the Administrative
Procedure Act, when an agency for good cause finds that notice and
public comment ``are impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the
public interest,'' it need not follow notice and comment procedures
before modifying or repealing rules. Prior notice and comment are
``unnecessary'' when ``the administrative rule is a routine
determination, insignificant in nature and impact, and inconsequential
to the industry and to the public.''
11. The definition of ASCII was only relevant to two provisions of
this subpart F in Part 64 of the Commission rules. First, Sec.
64.607(b)(2) of the Commission's rules, concerned the availability of
text telephones using ASCII, which the Commission eliminated by Direct
Final Rule. Second, in this item, the Commission deletes the only other
reference to ASCII. The Commission therefore finds good cause to
conclude that notice and comment procedures are unnecessary and would
not serve any useful purpose because the term ASCII no longer needs to
be defined in this portion of the rules and its deletion is
inconsequential.
Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
12. As required by the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980, as
amended, the Commission incorporated an Initial Regulatory Flexibility
Analysis (IRFA) in its NPRM, released in June 2025. The Commission
sought written public comment on the proposals in the NPRM, including
comment on the IRFA. No comments were filed addressing the IRFA.
Need for, and Objectives of, the Rules
13. In the Order, the Commission amends its rules to eliminate the
requirement that TTY-based relay service providers offer users the
service in the ASCII format, as it has become an outdated and
infrequently used format. TTY-based TRS is a text-based relay service.
To make a call, a TTY user calls a TRS center and types the number of
the person he or she wishes to call. A Communications Assistant at the
relay center then makes a voice telephone call to the other party to
the call, and relays the call back and forth between the parties by
speaking what a text user types, and typing what a voice telephone user
speaks.
14. In addition to the near-obsolescence of the ASCII format, the
Commission takes these steps because TTY users also have access to
Baudot format, which is more commonly used. At present, there are only
two providers of TTY-based telecommunications relay service, and usage
of ASCII-format TTY totaled less than 100 minutes during three months
in 2022, with less than 10 users placing calls in any month. Based on
these reports, it appears that total ASCII usage of TTY-based TRS was
limited to approximately 0.01% of total TTY-based TRS minutes for that
period, while Baudot format TTY would account for the remaining TTY-
based TRS minutes. Furthermore, retaining the requirement to support
ASCII-format TTY-based TRS limits the ability of TTY-based TRS
providers to upgrade and improve their networks for delivery of
enhanced services. Eliminating the ASCII-support requirement will
ultimately benefit both TTY-based TRS users and providers by
facilitating network upgrades by providers while TTY-based TRS users
can continue communicating with Baudot-format TTY or other forms of
text-based TRS.
Summary of Significant Issues Raised by Public Comments in Response to
the IRFA
15. No comments were filed addressing the impact of the proposed
rules on small entities.
Response to Comments by the Chief Counsel for the Small Business
Administration Office of Advocacy (SBA)
16. The Chief Counsel did not file any comments in response to the
proposed rules in this proceeding.
Description and Estimate of the Number of Small Entities to Which the
Rules Will Apply
17. The rules adopted in the Order will apply to small entities in
the industries identified in the chart below by their six-digit North
American Industry Classification System codes and corresponding SBA
size standard. Where available, the Commission also provides additional
information
[[Page 57515]]
regarding the number of potentially affected entities in the identified
industries below.
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Regulated industry (footnotes
specify potentially affected SBA size Total small
entities within a regulated NAICS code standard Total firms firms % Small firms
industry where applicable)
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All Other Telecommunications.. 517810 $40 million..... 1,673 1,007 60.19
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Description of Economic Impact and Projected Reporting, Recordkeeping
and Other Compliance Requirements for Small Entities
18. The changes made in the Order would not impose new or modified
reporting, recordkeeping, or other compliance obligations on certain
small entities that provide TTY-based TRS. Currently, there are only
two providers of TTY-based TRS. To facilitate a transition to TTY-based
TRS using the Baudot format, for consumers without access to broadband
services, the Commission sought comment on whether to require small and
other TTY-based TRS providers to provide information about State
equipment distribution programs that make Baudot-format TTY-devices
available, where available. It also sought comment on whether to
require TRS providers to make available a Baudot-format TTY device to
ASCII-format TTY users, without cost to the user. The Commission
considered requiring providers to issue free Baudot-compatible devices,
but the record demonstrated that switching from ASCII to Baudot does
not require new TTY equipment, a user need only change a setting on the
TTY device. After developing a record, the Commission determined that
no additional obligations needed to be placed on entities that provide
TTY-based TRS.
Discussion of Steps Taken To Minimize the Significant Economic Impact
on Small Entities, and Significant Alternatives Considered
19. The amendment to the Commission's rules governing TRS is
designed to facilitate upgrades to providers' networks by eliminating
the requirement to support rarely-used ASCII format. This amendment
would only affect two TTY-based relay service providers and a handful
of ASCII-format TTY users, who account for a very small number of TTY-
based TRS call minutes. The Commission considered requiring TRS
providers to incur the costs of making Baudot-format TTY devices
available given the small number of ASCII-format TTY users. However,
the record demonstrated that switching from ASCII to Baudot only
requires changing a device setting. By removing this ASCII mandate,
TTY-based TRS providers are relieved of the financial and operational
costs required to support obsolete technology, thereby facilitating
network upgrades without countervailing transition costs.
Ordering Clauses
20. Pursuant to sections 1, 4(i), 4(j), and 225 of the
Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i), 154(j),
225, that the Order is adopted, and the Commission's rules are amended.
21. The Order shall be effective October 13, 2026.
22. The Office of the Managing Director, Performance Evaluation and
Records Management, sent a copy of the Order in a report to be sent to
Congress and the Government Accountability Office pursuant to the
Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A).
23. The Commission's Office of the Secretary, shall send a copy of
the Order, including the Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis, to the
Chief Counsel for the SBA Office of Advocacy.
List of Subjects in 47 CFR Part 64
Communications, Communications common carriers, Communications
equipment, Individuals with disabilities, Telecommunications.
Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene Dortch,
Secretary.
Final Rules
For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Federal
Communications Commission amends 47 CFR part 64 as follows:
PART 64--MISCELLANEOUS RULES RELATING TO COMMON CARRIERS
0
1. The authority citation for part 64 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 47 U.S.C. 151, 152, 154, 201, 202, 217, 218, 220,
222, 225, 226, 227, 227b, 228, 251(a), 251(e), 254(k), 255, 262,
276, 403(b)(2)(B), (c), 616, 620, 716, 1401-1473, unless otherwise
noted; Pub. L. 115-141, Div. P, sec. 503, 132 Stat. 348, 1091; Pub.
L. 117-338, 136 Stat. 6156.
Sec. 64.601 [Amended]
0
2. Amend Sec. 64.601 by removing paragraph (a)(7), and redesignating
paragraphs (a)(8) through (a)(62) as paragraphs (a)(7) through (a)(61).
0
3. Amend Sec. 64.604 by revising paragraph (b)(1) to read as follows:
Sec. 64.604 Mandatory minimum standards.
* * * * *
(b) Technical Standards--(1) Baudot. TTY-based relay service shall
be capable of communicating with Baudot format.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2026-18478 Filed 9-9-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P
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