FCC Certifies GoAmerica to Provide IP and Video Relay Services Nationwide
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Certification Makes Company Eligible for Direct Compensation from the Interstate Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) Fund
HACKENSACK, N.J., June 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- GoAmerica, Inc. (NASDAQ:GOAM), a leading provider of online and wireless relay services, today announced that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has certified the Company as an Internet Protocol (IP) Relay and Video Relay Service (VRS) provider. With this certification, the Company is now eligible to be compensated directly from the Interstate Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) Fund.
"This certification provides a clearer path for us as we continue to develop a video relay service that we expect to launch later this year," said Dan Luis, CEO of GoAmerica. "We're also able to submit our i711.com minutes directly to the TRS Fund for reimbursement rather than relying on a business partner for these submittals."
The Company is expected to submit minutes directly to the TRS Fund beginning with June, 2006 i711.com traffic. While FCC certification will change how the Company recognizes relay revenue, it will have no impact on the gross margin contribution of these services.
The FCC's certification, which is effective for five years, covers current and prospective IP relay and VRS services offered by the Company. Current relay services offered by GoAmerica include its text-based i711.com services accessible through a variety of means including a differentiated online portal, AOL Instant Messenger(R), the T-Mobile Sidekick, and an assortment of BlackBerry wireless devices.
About i711.com Relay Services
i711.com offers text-based relay service calling via the Internet, often called "IP relay". Deaf callers use a Web-enabled computer or wireless handheld device to place calls, which are connected to a relay operator. The relay operator calls the voice number and then verbally speaks the text message typed by the deaf caller to the hearing recipient and types the hearing party's responses back to the deaf party.
Relay services are free to all callers. Relay providers -- such as the Company -- receive reimbursement from a pool of funds, collected from telephone carriers by the Federal Communications Commission and administered by the National Exchange Carriers Association (NECA).
About GoAmerica
GoAmerica provides a wide range of wireless, relay and prepaid communications services, customized for people who are deaf, hard-of-hearing or speech impaired. The Company's vision is to improve the quality of life of its customers by being their premier provider of innovative communication services. For more information on the Company or its services, visit www.goamerica.com/ or contact GoAmerica directly at TTY 201-527-1520, voice 201-996-1717 or via Internet relay by visiting http://www.i711.com/.
Source: GoAmerica, Inc.
CONTACT: Joe Karp of GoAmerica, Inc., +1-201-527-1518, jkarp@goamerica.com
Web site: www.goamerica.com/
http://www.i711.com/
