Media Contact:
Hannah Kerne
202.234.1224
hkerne@signalgroupdc.com
For Immediate Release:
July 10, 2017
ZVRS Applauds FCC’s Announcement on Rates for VRS Providers
Result Will Bring Greater Competition and Consumer Choice
CLEARWATER, Fla. – ZVRS, Inc., a leading provider of video relay services to the Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard-of-Hearing communities, today applauded the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in its decision to set reasonable reimbursement rates for video relay service (VRS) providers. ZVRS believes that this decision will positively impact the market by creating greater competition amongst VRS providers, thereby creating more consumer choices. Additionally, ZVRS is excited to partner with the Commission to help bring innovative communications services and technologies to the community and to bridge the communication gap between hearing individuals and the community.
“ZVRS is dedicated to delivering the best user experience for customers as promised by the Americans with Disabilities Act,” stated Sherri Turpin, Chief Executive Officer of ZVRS. “The FCC’s recent ruling will drive the development of better products and services for the community we are dedicated to serving.”
Earlier this year, ZVRS Holding acquired Purple Communications with the future goal of combining the best aspects of ZVRS and Purple to create a strong competitive force in the industry, offering its customers innovative products and services and expanded outreach programs. The commitment of ZVRS and Purple to the community is strong and growing.
The FCC order affirms the Commission’s commitment to ZVRS Holding to allow it an appropriate time frame to integrate ZVRS and Purple Communications, creating synergies in their systems as they work to combine operations and achieve true economies of scale.
“The promise of what ZVRS and Purple Communications can offer the community by working to become a strong number two in the VRS market, in an industry that is currently dominated by a single provider, is a winning proposition for the community,” continued Turpin. “We believe that the FCC’s rate decision will ultimately enhance our customers’ experience, promising consumers a brighter future by raising the bar and furthering equal access for the Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard-of-Hearing community.”
Turpin explained that, “The recent ruling satisfies the Commission’s goals to adopt a VRS compensation structure that minimizes the cost of service for ratepayers, maintains competition in the VRS marketplace pending further structural reforms, reflects the differing costs of providers, and gives VRS providers the long-term stability in rates to make investment decisions.”
About ZVRS
ZVRS, Inc., is a nationally recognized provider of video relay services that enable Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard-of- Hearing individuals to communicate with hearing people worldwide. The company provides videophone hardware, software and accessories designed to enable a real-time video connection with ASL interpreters who relay conversations between parties. ZVRS is committed to serving the Deaf community; nearly all its interpreters are certified and more than half of non-interpreter employees are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. For more information, please visit: www.ZVRS.com
About Purple Communications
Purple Communications, Inc., provides high-quality video relay service available from multiple
platforms – TV, desktop, laptop, tablet and smartphone. Purple provides customers on-site interpreting services and video remote interpreting, delivering a wide array of options to meet the varied communication needs of businesses and customers, collectively make communicating with both the Deaf world and the hearing world accessible to all. For more information, visit www.purple.us.