Below are links to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) website and a general overview of information on the ten-digit numbering requirement. If, after you have read the information below and visited the FCC’s website and you still have questions, please contact a regional center near you for more information.

Ten-Digit Numbering Information - An Overview

Through a series of orders, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has required that persons with hearing and/or speech disabilities who use VRS and/or IP Relay are reminded, if they have not done so already, they are required to complete the process of registering with the VRS or IP Relay default provider of their choice to obtain a ten-digit geographic number as soon as possible, and no later than November 12, 2009. After November 12, 2009, all VRS and IP Relay users must be registered with a default provider with a ten-digit geographic number in order to place a non-emergency call through any VRS or IP Relay provider. In addition, after that date, VRS and IP Relay providers will no longer complete calls to a user’s former “proxy” or “alias” number that may have been previously obtained from a provider.

What are Ten-Digit Geographic Numbers

The Ten-Digit geographic number has been the standard used for voice telephone service in North America for years. Ten-Digit numbers consist of a three-digit area code that corresponds to the consumer’s geographic/physical address, followed by a three-digit number associated with the consumer’s local telephone exchange, then a four-digit number unique to the phone user. For example, (919)874-2212 is the ten-digit geographic number for the Division of Services for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing. With a ten-digit geographic number, VRS and IP Relay users can be reached through a single number that will automatically connect to the user’s primary (“default”) VRS or IP Relay provider and allow the provider to determine the user’s IP address for purposes of delivering incoming calls made to their number.

Who May Obtain a Ten-Digit Geographic Number

Any individual with a hearing and/or speech disability who wishes to use VRS or IP Relay may obtain a ten-digit geographic number. During the registration process, users will be asked to certify that they have a medically-recognized hearing or speech disability that makes it necessary for them to use VRS or IP Relay.

How to Obtain a Ten-Digit Geographic Number

VRS and IP Relay users may obtain a ten-digit geographic number by contacting and registering with the VRS or IP Relay provider of their choice. This provider becomes the consumer’s “default” provider (see “Registering with a Default Provider” below), although a consumer can still use other providers to make and receive calls using the telephone number for that provider. Although consumers must choose one default provider, they are free to switch default providers, just as voice telephone users can switch telephone service providers.

Registering with a Default Provider

Once a VRS or IP Relay user selects and registers with a provider, this provider becomes the user’s “default provider.” When a user registers, the provider must obtain the user’s physical address, or “Registered Location,” at which the VRS or IP Relay service will first be used. Providers also must give users an easy way to update their location information if it changes, without cost or additional equipment. Registration enables VRS and IP Relay providers to match their users’ telephone numbers with the users’ IP addresses to properly route and complete calls, and obtain their users’ physical locations in order to provide E911 service. Thus registration, including the updating of users’ Registered Location information, is critical to ensuring that providers can route all calls properly, especially emergency calls to appropriate emergency services personnel.

Users may register with any VRS or IP Relay provider they choose, regardless of any prior relationship they may have had with another VRS or IP Relay provider. The default provider will route and deliver all of the user’s incoming and outgoing calls, unless the user chooses to place a call with, or receives a call from, an alternate provider.

Who is affected

If you use VRS/IP/IM and do not register for a 10 digit number, after November 12, 2009 you will not be able to receive calls. For each service you use you have to register to get a 10 digit number. This includes PC and pager users. Every provider operates differently, so please contact them regarding your wireless devices.