TRS Surcharges

TRS Surcharges (Telecommunications Relay Services Surcharges) are federally mandated fees collected by telecommunications carriers to fund relay services for individuals with hearing and speech disabilities. These services enable people with disabilities to communicate over the telephone network using specialized equipment and trained operators.

TRS surcharges are not fees charged by Callbetter for profit. They are pass-through charges required by federal and state law, and the funds collected are remitted to the appropriate state or federal agency responsible for funding TRS programs.

Telecommunications Relay Services provide critical communication access for individuals with disabilities, including:

• TTY/TDD Relay Services: Text-based relay services that allow individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to communicate via text telephone (TTY) devices with voice telephone users through a trained relay operator.
• Speech-to-Speech (STS) Relay: Services for individuals with speech disabilities, where a specially trained operator repeats what the caller says in a manner that is easier for the called party to understand.
• Video Relay Service (VRS): Services that allow individuals who use American Sign Language (ASL) to communicate with voice telephone users through a video connection with a sign language interpreter.
• Captioned Telephone Service (CTS): Real-time text captioning of telephone conversations for individuals who are hard of hearing, allowing them to listen and read captions simultaneously.
• Internet Protocol (IP) Relay: Text-based relay services delivered over the internet, allowing users to place calls from computers, smartphones, or other internet-enabled devices.

TRS surcharges are mandated by federal law under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and regulations established by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Additionally, many states have their own TRS programs and may require carriers to collect state-specific TRS surcharges.

The FCC requires all interstate telecommunications carriers (including VoIP providers like Callbetter) to contribute to the Interstate TRS Fund, which is administered by the National Exchange Carrier Association (NECA). State-level TRS programs are typically administered by state public utility commissions or designated state agencies.

The amount of TRS surcharges varies by state and federal jurisdiction and is determined by regulatory agencies based on the anticipated costs of providing relay services. Callbetter has no control over the surcharge amounts, which are set by the FCC for interstate services and by state regulators for intrastate services.

TRS surcharges may be assessed as:

• A flat monthly fee per line or phone number.
• A percentage of your interstate or intrastate telecommunications charges.
• A per-minute charge on usage, depending on state requirements.

The surcharge may appear on your bill under names such as:

• "TRS Surcharge"
• "Telecommunications Relay Services Fee"
• "State TRS Fund Charge"
• "Interstate TRS Contribution"
• Other similar names depending on jurisdiction

The TRS surcharges collected by Callbetter are remitted in full to the appropriate federal or state agency responsible for administering TRS programs. Callbetter does not retain any portion of these surcharges—they are collected solely to comply with federal and state law.

Funds are distributed to:

• Interstate TRS Fund (Federal): Administered by NECA under FCC oversight, used to compensate TRS providers for interstate relay services.
• State TRS Funds: Administered by state public utility commissions or designated agencies, used to fund intrastate relay services within each state.

These funds are subject to strict regulatory oversight, audits, and reporting requirements to ensure proper use and prevent waste or fraud.

Yes. TRS surcharges are mandated by federal law under the ADA and the Telecommunications Act of 1996, and by state law in most jurisdictions. All telecommunications providers, including VoIP services like Callbetter, are required by law to contribute to TRS funding.

Telecommunications carriers are legally obligated to collect and remit these surcharges on behalf of federal and state governments. Failure to do so can result in significant penalties, fines, and the revocation of operating authority.

Callbetter is committed to ensuring that our services are accessible to all users, including individuals with disabilities. We fully comply with all federal and state accessibility requirements, including:

• Support for TTY/TDD devices and compatibility with TRS relay services.
• Compliance with FCC accessibility standards for advanced communications services, including video conferencing and messaging features.
• Ongoing development of features that improve accessibility and usability for customers with disabilities.

If you have any questions about accessibility features or need assistance using relay services with your Callbetter account, please contact our support team.

If you have any questions about TRS surcharges or accessibility features, please contact us at:

Callbetter LLC

8 The Green, Suite #21079, Dover, DE 19901

Email: support@callbetter.com

Phone: +1 (833) 710-2757