Telecommunications Relay Service ASCII Format Requirement
- Published
- Sep 10, 2026
- Effective
- Oct 13, 2026
- Citation
- 91 FR 57513
- Docket
- CG Docket No. 03-123, GN Docket No. 25-133, FCC 26-56, FR ID 366314
Final rule.
Summary
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has removed a rule that required Text Telephone (TTY)‑based Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) to use the outdated ASCII format for transmitting text. The change is intended to eliminate the need for providers to keep costly, antiquated hardware and software that only support this format, freeing up resources for newer, more efficient relay technologies. The FCC says the update will cut unnecessary expenses, protect the TRS Fund, and maintain the same level of service for users who rely on TTY‑based communication. The rule applies to companies and organizations that operate TRS, which are services that enable people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have speech disabilities to place telephone calls through a relay operator. By dropping the ASCII requirement, these providers can focus on modern platforms without having to preserve legacy systems, while consumers should see no change in the ability to make and receive TTY calls. The final rule was published on September 10, 2026, and takes effect on October 13, 2026. No further public comment period is required because the rule is already finalized. After the effective date, TRS providers may discontinue ASCII‑specific equipment and reallocate those funds toward updated relay solutions, subject to any ongoing FCC oversight of service quality.
AI-generated summary — verify against the Federal Register text.
Official 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 By removing this outdated regulatory mandate, the Commission relieves TRS providers of the obligation to maintain costly and obsolete ASCII-compatible hardware and software systems.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.
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