WASHINGTON-Two of the four national mobile-phone operators will not meet the first major deadline this month for rolling out hearing-aid-compatible handsets to the public.
T-Mobile USA Inc. on Aug. 26 asked the Federal Communications Commission for an additional 60 days to meet the Sept. 16 deadline. By that date, the nation’s top wireless carriers must either make available-per air interface-four hearing-aid-compatible mobile phones or ensure that 25 percent of their handset models have that capability.
“Due to unique and unusual factual circumstances beyond T-Mobile’s control … so far only two of these handsets have been found to comply with the FCC’s hearing-aid-compatibility standard and have received grants for certification,” stated T-Mobile in its waiver request.
T-Mobile said the additional time would help ensure that GSM 1900 MHz hearing-aid-compatible phones can be supplied to company stores and that other FCC requirements-including labeling, merchandising and training of retail customer service employees-are met.
On Aug. 5, Cingular Wireless L.L.C. petitioned the FCC for a waiver of hearing-aid-compatible rules for GSM 850 MHz phones.
Hearing-disabled advocates and hearing-aid manufacturers said they were disappointed to learn of Cingular’s difficulties bringing GSM 850 MHz phones into compliance, but they did not oppose Cingular’s waiver request.
“Given this unfortunate turn of events that delays even more consumers’ access to mobile phones, SHHH would only support a waiver that is narrowly focused on 850 MHz and that is for a restricted period of time,” said Brenda Battat, associate executive director of Self Help for Hard of Hearing People. “We agree with Cingular’s offer to provide progress reports every six months. We would not support any handset being exempted from the rule.”
Aside from the setback at issue, Battat said Cingular has played a leadership role in achieving accessibility of wireless devices for hearing-disabled citizens. SHHH said about 28 million people have some hearing loss. Most of those with hearing loss could be successfully treated with hearing aids, but SHHH said only 6.35 million of the 28 million use hearing aids.
“HIA is disappointed that the GSM/850 MHz problem is only now coming to light. Handset manufacturers should have recognized and addressed the problem earlier, before final rules were adopted in the proceeding,” said the Hearing Industries Association.
HIA, which represents hearing-aid manufacturers, also recommended any relief should come in the form of a narrow rule waiver.
In addition to the Sept. 16 deadline, mobile-phone carriers must ensure that 50 percent of their handset models are hearing-aid-compatible by Feb. 18, 2008.
