The New York State Public Service Commission has approved a request for proposal (RFP) from the Targeted Accessibility Fund of New York, Inc. to seek bids for providing Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) in the state. The move is intended to ensure continued access to relay services for residents with disabilities.
“Telecommunications must be accessible and reliable for all New Yorkers, especially those with disabilities,” said Commission Chair Rory M. Christian. “Our decision today is necessary for the continuity of TRS service for these consumers.”
The approval comes as the current contract with T-Mobile USA, Inc., which provides TRS, is set to expire on June 30, 2026. The contract can be extended by one year but allows T-Mobile to terminate if certain legal requirements are not removed by April 1, 2026. If T-Mobile exercises this option, a new provider would need to be ready by July 1, 2026.
State law requires that a TRS call center operate in Syracuse and that at least 80 percent of calls go through this center. The RFP is being issued as a contingency plan in case T-Mobile ends its service under these terms. Department staff noted that previous attempts have seen few bidders come forward.
The Targeted Accessibility Fund was created by the Commission in 1998 to support programs such as Lifeline, Enhanced 911, and TRS. Telecommunications Relay Service allows people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech-impaired to communicate via telephone with non-impaired individuals using relay operators at no charge.
Details about the decision can be found on the Commission’s website at www.dps.ny.gov by searching Case Number 21-C-0570 or by contacting their office in Albany.
